DDA and Accessibility
DDA and Accessibility at The Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre
The Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre (QEIICC) is a premier purpose-built venue in a prestigious location in the heart of London. The QEIICC is an executive agency of the office of the Deputy Prime Minister and is uniquely situated against the stunning backdrop of Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, The Houses of Parliament and The London Eye.
When constructed during the early 1980’s, facilities for disabled people using the Centre were incorporated into the building. Further improvements have subsequently been made over recent years, with existing facilities continually updated and enhanced. The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) legislation introduced in 1995 has dealt in a more specific way for the requirements for Disabled people.
Improvements to the Centre fall into two categories: Capital projects which incorporate the changes as required by legislation and low level improvements, which are carried out on a more ad-hoc basis as recommended by legislation or the accessibility audit.
The Centre has undergone two access audits, the first of which was carried out by the Centre for Accessible Environments on behalf of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister in May 2003. A second and more comprehensive audit, was carried out in February 2005. Recommendations made in both reports have subsequently been dealt with by the priority that they fall under.
Recent developments at the Centre include; a ramp (signposted) from the forecourt which leads to the front doors and is wide enough for easy wheelchair access, nine refurbished passenger lifts which are large enough to accommodate a wheelchair and incorporate audio/voice announcements and two lift control panels in the main bank of lifts, one of which is set to the height as specified by the DDA.
Throughout the Centre, all corridors are wide enough for disabled access and there is no fixed seating, which facilitates wheelchair space and allows wheelchairs to be positioned anywhere in the function rooms. Public telephones are positioned at a low level and are available throughout the building.
There is also a wheelchair ramp which can be fitted to the stages in the larger function rooms and a portable wheelchair lift which provides access to the stages in the smaller function rooms. Guide dogs are welcome and provision is made for their welfare whilst on site. The recent addition of a wheelchair accessible toilet on the 4th floor now means all floors have this facility and these are well sign posted throughout the Centre.
External steps around the exterior of the building have been painted with contrast colouring on the nosings and the Business Centre has a disabled access workstation.
There are Induction Loops permanently fitted in the Churchill Auditorium, St James’s Suite, Westminster Suite, Rutherford, Abbey, Henry Moore and Mountbatten Rooms. Further Induction Loops can be fitted in all other rooms by arrangement with Interface, the Centre’s in-house production team.
The Centre has a policy to ensure that all staff are trained to assist, if and when required, during an event that has specialist requirements.