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PHOENIX SAFETY APPOINTED CONFIGURE'S FIRST AUDITOR

Phoenix Safety has been appointed as Configure's first approved disability access auditor in Ireland.

Configure Ireland, which opened offices in Dublin last year and is the only organisation capable of providing a fully integrated service for disability access to the public sector in Ireland, has appointed the IITD / Fás Trainer of the Year to undertake access audits across the country. The recently enacted Disability Act 2005, and the related outline Sectoral Plans, require that thousands of state buildings throughout Ireland are audited for their accessibility for people with disabilities.

Rose Kervick, Configure Ireland's managing director, said: "The first step in determining what is needed to make a building accessible is an access audit. This identifies relevant building features, explains how these features restrict access and provides guidance on the appropriate adjustments that need to be implemented."

Phoenix Safety will be using Configure's innovative SmartAudit software to conduct the access audits. Based on a hand-held computer, the gathered information and images are uploaded to Configure's server where they are compared to a database of the current regulations prior to producing a detailed report and action plan.

"Access auditing has traditionally been a lengthy process of checklists and report writing," said Sean Fennell, managing director of Phoenix Safety. "Configure's software reduces the audit time dramatically whilst ensuring best practice standards are maintained in the recommendations for the client's building."

In the UK, where Configure launched in 2003, it is already the largest commercial disability access consultancy, providing access audits, over 200 auxiliary aids and a range of disability equality training. Last year alone in the UK, Configure conducted over 1,500 access audits, delivered disability equality training to over 65,000 people, and implemented access adjustments on over 1,000 sites.

Rose Kervick continued: "We are delighted to partner with Phoenix Safety. The access auditing role is a perfect addition to its existing health and safety portfolio."

One in ten people in Ireland has some disability which may affect their access to public services and products. At any one time, one in five Irish people will experience difficulties in getting around. This figure will increase with Ireland's ageing population. The Disability Act 2005 requires that all public buildings are upgraded over the coming years to provide access for all.

Ends

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