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  1. Find support
  2. Audits & training
  3. Access assessments

Audits & Training

Would you like your organisation to be more accessible, diverse and inclusive? If you're funded by Arts Council England, would you like support in making your contribution to the Creative Case for Diversity?

Improving access in arts and culture is one of Shape's fundamental objectives, and we have been running valuable access training and consultancy services for the sector, both in the UK and internationally, for over four decades. As a result of this work, thousands of individuals across the arts and cultural sector have gained confidence in working with disabled people (as audiences, workers, participants and artists) and many thousands more disabled people now experience better standards of accessibility in the venues that host their nation's cultural riches.  

To find out more, check the content below, and feel free to browse our online resources at this link.  If you would like to contact our team, please email [email protected] or call +44 (0) 207 424 7330.    

COVID-19 Update: All training has been designed to be delivered in a way that ensures social distancing requirements can be maintained. Virtual training can be delivered and supported by best practice in access and inclusion. Where face-to-face training can be delivered, it will be designed so as to avoid physical contact, shared use of resources and materials, ensure two metres of space between participants, and create an environment in which participants feel safe and comfortable.

Access Walk & Talk

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Download the Walk and Talk Access Reviews information sheet HERE.

About Walk & Talk Access Reviews

Walk & Talk Access Reviews are designed to identify opportunity, increase learning and develop the confidence of key staff to maximise access for a wide range of disabled people positively and progressively across buildings, venues and other spaces.

How They Work

With Building Management personnel and other relevant staff, we will adopt a journey model to ‘Walk’ the building, reviewing access for a wide range of disabled people. A trained Access Advisor will then ‘Talk’ about both quick wins and suggested longer term access improvements.

What You Get

In addition to the above, we will provide you with a summary report identifying the area, the access considerations (including photographs where appropriate), the guidance, the recommendations, and priority and cost indications.

The real value of the Walk & Talk Access Review is the opportunity for participants to learn both how to maximise access of existing facilities, and progressively and effectively increase access in the future. Through a two way dialogue during the Review, we are able to understand how the area is managed and operated, ensuring that all suggestions are practical, creditable and appropriate.

The summary report provides both a baseline assessment of current access provision and a strategic planning tool for future access enhancements.

Next Steps

For More Information Contact:
Shape Training and Access Services
0207 424 7330

[email protected] 

Telephone: 0207 424 7330 Minicom: 0207 424 7368 Fax: 0845 521 3458 Shape is a Company Limited by Guarantee in England and Wales Email: [email protected] Web: www.shapearts.org.uk Company No. 1468164 Charity Registration No. 279184

Published: 23rd January, 2014

Updated: 14th July, 2016

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What does the final report include?

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A typical report might describe each building element sequentially, how they affect people with particular impairments, and to what extent they fall short of the agreed access criteria.

Recommendations might then be made for remedial action and that action awarded a priority rating.

The final report of a full access audit should provide the information you need to draw up an effective

Access Action Plan’ in which access improvements, staff training and a revision of relevant policies, practices and procedures can be timetabled. The order in which recommendations are acted upon will depend in the first instance upon the priority they are given in the report, if for instance the present situation constitutes a hazard. 

Published: 6th November, 2014

Updated: 22nd August, 2016

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How much does it cost?

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In general it can be assumed that if a survey takes a day to complete, it will take the assessor/auditor a further day to produce a report; two days in total. Please contact us for pricing information.

Other costs include any travel expenses for the auditor, lunch and accommodation (if required). This includes any initial consultation to make sure the auditing is tailored to your needs.

Published: 6th November, 2014

Updated: 22nd August, 2016

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What can Shape offer you?

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Shape can tailor a package to meet your needs.

Our services include:

• Help developing your brief

• Walking and talking you through your services and premises

• Confidential one-to-one consultation sessions

• Training you in access auditing methodology

• Give you information on the Equality Act 2010its regulations and Codes of Practice

• Undertaking a comprehensive access audit for you

• Undertaking a feasibility report

• Appraising architectural drawings and proposals for change

• Preparing reports for you and/or your funders

• Delivering disability access and equalities training (basic to specialist)

Published: 6th November, 2014

Updated: 22nd August, 2016

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Why should I choose Shape?

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Shape is a disability-led arts organisation working to improve access to culture for disabled people. We develop opportunities for disabled artists, we train cultural institutions to be more open to disabled people, and we run participatory arts and development programmes.

Shape has gained its reputation as a sector leader and subject matter expert through its innovative approach to inclusion, equality, and access. With over 35 years' experience, today Shape continues to produce innovative projects and improve accessibility and inclusion within the arts, cultural and leisure sectors.

Published: 6th November, 2014

Updated: 22nd August, 2016

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Is there any follow-up done by Shape?

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Access auditing should not be a one-off exercise; it should be part of an evolving plan or strategy which is continually monitored. At Shape we follow up all our auditing with evaluation feedback for the client. Due to the unique way that Shape also works with disabled audiences, after auditing with us we may be able to bring audiences to your venue or public spaces to experience first-hand how the improvements have helped their access and staff skills; and feedback those experiences to you.

Shape also offer support packages for venues and organisations of any scale which includes telephone advice surgeries, email support, and mystery shopping feedback. This is part of Shape's holistic approach to supporting arts and cultural venues and organisations.

Published: 6th November, 2014

Updated: 22nd August, 2016

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Does Shape do auditing outside London?

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Yes. Shape is based in London but does cover areas outside of London. Please contact us to discuss.

Thereafter, it is usually recommended that physical improvements be undertaken in logical sequence (a sequential journey similar to that followed by the audit) as building users experience them. Nonetheless, some improvements can be incorporated into regular maintenance programmes or might be implemented as a specific project. 

Published: 6th November, 2014

Updated: 22nd August, 2016

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Who will be your auditor?

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Shape works with a group of disabled professional trainers and access auditors who are experts in the field of arts, access, disability and equality. Our assessors and auditors have extensive experience working with and for disability and arts organisations; they are familiar with contemporary best practice in Inclusive Design.

Published: 6th November, 2014

Updated: 22nd August, 2016

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What needs to happen before an audit takes place?

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We will send you a pre-audit questionnaire in order to understand your brief, what is expected from us, where your organisation is in terms of access and what type of access service is required. Once we receive this we will then send it back to with the contract details.

You need to know why you want an access audit and we ask you to consider the following things:

• On your brief, please clarify: how you work, your objectives, capacity or priorities

• Advise us if you want a detailed technical report or an overview report

• Your budget.


To be sure that you obtain the service you require, you will need to explain to the auditor/assessor:

• Periods and patterns of use and any changes planned

• Management responsibilities

• Planned maintenance programmes

• Alterations or extensions proposed.


We will also need to discuss and agree the:

• Access criteria to which you expect the audit to refer (this may be dictated by funders)

• Consultation with users

• Report format

• Timescale and fees

Published: 6th November, 2014

Updated: 22nd August, 2016

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Why audit?

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An access audit is essentially a survey of premises and their management in terms of their accessibility to all people including disabled people. In isolation an access audit does not achieve anything: what matters is what follows, what action you take and to what effect.

Shape considers an access audit to be just one part of a progressive cycle of events that together will enable you to extend your services, facilities, and employment opportunities to all.

Published: 6th November, 2014

Updated: 22nd August, 2016

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Shape Arts

Company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales under number 01468164 and registered as a Charity number 279184

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