Disability Audit Feedback
South Lanarkshire College is committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible environment for all
students, staff, and visitors. The recent Disability Audit, conducted by Dr. Danielle Farrel and Alyson Woodhouse of Your Options Understood (Y.O.U), represents an invaluable step in the College’s journey toward greater accessibility and equity.
The audit was thorough, insightful, and conducted with a spirit of collaboration and improvement. The College is proud that many existing practices were recognised as inclusive and forward-thinking - such as the accessible entrances, well-maintained facilities, and the thoughtful integration of assistive
technologies.
Particularly valued were the constructive recommendations provided throughout the report. These have enabled the College to identify key areas for enhancement, including signage improvements, staff training, and the expansion of accessible facilities. The use of a clear traffic light system further, supported the prioritisation of actions while also highlighting and celebrating areas where the College
is excelling.
The audit has not only highlighted existing strengths but also provided practical, lived-experience based guidance to support continuous improvement. Implementation of several recommendations is already under way, with further positive changes planned.
South Lanarkshire College extends sincere thanks to Y.O.U for their expertise, professionalism, and commitment to accessibility. Their partnership has strengthened the College’s efforts to remain a
welcoming and supportive place for everyone.
Elaine Ballatyne
Equality and Engagement Officer
South Lanarkshire College
"I would highly recommend the services of Your Options Understood, an exceptional organisation that recently conducted a comprehensive accessibility audit at Glasgow Kelvin College. Their thorough approach and practical recommendations have been instrumental in our journey towards becoming a fully accessible institution.
Your Options Understood demonstrated a deep understanding of accessibility requirements and standards. Their team meticulously assessed our facilities, resources, and practices, identifying both our strengths and areas needing improvement. What stood out was their attention to detail and their ability to offer actionable, realistic solutions tailored to our specific context.
The audit process was not only detailed but also collaborative. The team engaged with our staff, listened to our concerns, and took into account our unique needs and constraints. This inclusive approach ensured that their recommendations were practical and feasible, making it easier for us to implement the necessary changes.
The report provided by Your Options Understood was clear, comprehensive, and highly informative. It included short-term and long-term strategies, which have already started to make a positive impact on our college's accessibility."
Amrit Bedi
Equality and Inclusion Lead
Glasgow Kelvin College
"Danielle and Alyson conducted an Accessibility Audit for Glasgow Science Centre in April 2023 as part of our Apt partnership. They provided an efficient, professional, friendly service and were a pleasure to work with. They provided us with useful immediate feedback during the in-person audit and followed up with a more detailed report providing valuable practical recommendations for us to take forward."
Ashley Byars
Glasgow Science Centre
We recently underwent an onsite lived experience audit of our premises by Dr. Danielle Farrel and Alyson Woodhouse. The word ‘audit’ sends shivers down anyone’s spine as it just makes you feel people are there to tell you what you’re doing wrong and pick up on your faults, however my fears were instantly quashed on my very first call with Danielle and Alyson. They talked me through the process, what to expect and more importantly assured me they were there to help and not demonise. Moreover, they were loads of fun, full of energy and enthusiasm.
It was a delight having them onsite and we certainly learned a lot about how we can make our premises more accessible but more importantly to understand that it’s sometimes not possible to do everything you’d like to accommodate everyone’s needs, space and money can prohibit this, but the most important thing is to have open, clear communication about what you can do and what is available and making adjustments where possible.
I’d highly recommend businesses book in for an audit, you’ll learn loads including how to make small changes and have a great experience with Danielle and Alyson.
Jo Seagrave,
Executive Operations Manager,
CEIS
"I had the wonderful pleasure of meeting Dr. Danielle Farrel over a year ago, and the support she has provided to our company Eat, Sleep, Ride, CIC has been truly immense. Dr. Farrel went above and beyond in assisting us with turning our policies into accessible, easy-read formats, delivering invaluable training to our staff, and even visiting our site in her wheelchair to demonstrate its accessibility. Her hands-on approach not only proved her commitment but also provided us with practical insights and solutions.
What truly sets Dr. Farrel apart is her passion and the genuine drive she has to make a difference in this world, especially from her unique perspective of lived experience. Her dedication is not just evident in her work but shines brightly through every interaction. The connections she facilitated have been instrumental to our progress, and her enthusiasm is infectious, motivating all of us to strive for greater inclusivity and understanding.
Dr. Farrel is more than just a consultant; she is an inspirational figure whose zeal for positive change is both admirable and impactful. Her work embodies the essence of making meaningful contributions to society and empowering others to do the same. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to have worked with someone of Dr. Farrel's caliber and can wholeheartedly say that she is truly amazing."
Danielle McKinnon
Founder and Director
Eat, Sleep Ride CIC
"Belville Community Garden underwent the disability audit process provided by APT in 2023 and were fortunate to be supported by a visit from Danielle Farrel of Your Options Understood.
Danielle’s visit was hugely appreciated by the staff team allowing us to better understand different perceptions and barriers to participation.
In particular, Danielle provided a valuable insight into our development and design process and was able to demonstrate the physical limitations of interacting with our mid-build wheelchair access beds, significantly altering the final product for the betterment of wider usability. Additionally, she was able to demonstrate the difficulties of manoeuvring a wheelchair within the confines of our office (we are still working on her recommendations).
It was a thoroughly enjoyable visit and the whole process has enhanced inclusion at Belville Gardens for which we are extremely grateful, thank you!"