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Context: Multiple public bodies recognised the need for coordinated approaches to equality outcomes affecting citizens across organisational boundaries, so Edinburgh, West Lothian, East Lothian, Midlothian Councils and NHS Lothian formed a partnership to develop shared equality themes and outcomes.
During their 2020 consultation, accessibility barriers in Edinburgh’s public spaces were highlighted through respondent feedback.
Approach: Edinburgh Council gathered and analysed consultation responses about physical accessibility, documenting specific barriers experienced by disabled residents and identifying themes requiring systematic action
Implementation:
- Recognition of systemic barriers: Consultation documented that “Edinburgh can be difficult to navigate due to street clutter, poor street signage, road and pavement conditions, especially for people with disabilities”
- Specific accessibility challenges identified: Including lack of disabled parking and proper enforcement
- Policy tension highlighted: “Recognition that Edinburgh’s target of being net-zero and tackling use of cars / promotion of active travel excludes disabled people, e.g. single line parking, cycling paths with floating bus stops, taxi provision”
- Accessibility became a key theme in Edinburgh’s Equality and Diversity Framework 2021-2025
- Annual £400,000 budget ring-fenced for accessibility upgrades from 2021/22
- Creation of Accessibility Officer post to identify and oversee accessibility projects
- Commitment to annual accessibility audits and accessibility statements
Impact:
- Consultation revealed the need to consider accessibility alongside environmental goals
- Commitment to systematic accessibility improvements across 600+ operational buildings
- Consultation provided documented evidence of accessibility challenges to inform policy development
- Increased awareness of disabled people’s needs in transport planning
Key Learning:
- Environmental and accessibility goals can be in tension and require careful balancing
- Consultation reveals hidden barriers that planners may not recognise
- Disabled people’s lived experience is essential in identifying access barriers
- Direct lived experience quotes effectively communicate the reality of accessibility barriers
- Individual examples reveal systematic issues requiring coordinated response
- Investment in accessibility requires dedicated resources and systematic approach
(Source: Equality Outcomes 2021-2025 Consultation feedback, Edinburgh Council)