DPA HANDBOOK - dpaccreditation.org.uk

1 DPA. HANDBOOK . Considerations for the DPA Accreditation Award Contents Executive Summary The Benefits of the Disabled Parking Award Section 1 - General Overview 01 General Introduction 02 The Disabled Motorist 03 DPA Guiding Principles 04 Administration 05 Assessment 06 Appeals and Dispute Management 07 Promoting the DPA. Section 2 - The Assessment Guidelines 08 Accessible Bays 09 Signage 10 Pedestrian Routes 11 Lighting 12 Car Park Access 13 Paying for Parking 14 Concessions 15 Enforcement Section 3 - Terms and Conditions Section 4 - Useful Reference Documents Executive Summary Benefits Whilst increasing numbers of severely disabled people are now able to drive DPA parking owners/operators will receive a range of benefits of having the Award their own vehicles, being able to get into a car park at their destination is another including: matter entirely.

2 Disabled Motoring UK fears that unless parking provision improves dramatically disabled people won't actually be able to go anywhere alone because of Demonstrating to disabled customers a commitment to creating a high-quality problems with accessing car parking facilities. parking facility that meets their needs. In order to address this problem we've introduced the disabled parking award (DPA) The consultation services of our expert Information Officers who will work with which we hope will encourage car park operators to bring their car parks up to a you to get your parking facilities to the required standard to achieve the DPA. suitable standard, to enable disabled people to use them. By meeting this standard we also hope it will help protect car park operators from discrimination claims under The services of Independent Assessors who will come and assess your facility to the Equality Act 2010.

3 Ensure that it reaches DPA standards. Joining a network of parking facilities that currently hold DPA status. Holding a prestigious Award that benchmarks your parking facility as being one that has measures in place to reduce Blue Badge abuse. Free awareness of your parking facility on the DPA website. Helping you to avoid disability discrimination claims. Award of Excellence This is to certify that has met the criteria set out by Disabled Motoring UK and acheived the Disabled Parking Award. Graham Footer Chief Executive Dated: Valid until: Helen Dolphin Director of Policy & Campaigns Visit the DPA website at SECTION 1. Overview of the Scheme 1. GENERAL INTRODUCTION. The Disabled Parking Award (DPA) is owned and managed by Disabled Motoring UK (DMUK). Disabled Motoring UK is a national membership charity fighting to improve mobility and access for all disabled people including drivers, passengers, Blue Badge holders, scooter and wheelchair users.

4 The charity campaigns at national and local government level and works closely with other organisations such as Motability, the British Parking Association, The Independent Parking Committee and the Department for Transport. The DPA is primarily aimed at improving parking for disabled people and reducing abuse of disabled spaces. It requires owners/operators to adopt an active management strategy to ensure that there is minimal occurrence of disabled bay abuse, there are facilities suitable for disabled people, and that recognition is made 2. THE DISABLED MOTORIST. of the extra time taken by disabled people in the form of a concession. The Equality Act 2010 says that providers of services to the public must make reasonable The purpose of the DPA is to: adjustments' to remove barriers which may discriminate against disabled people.

5 Ensure the accessible bays provided meet Building Regulation size;. In a car park reasonable adjustments usually include; larger accessible parking Provide guidance to owners, operators and developers of parking facilities on the spaces near to the entrance or amenities, accessible payment machines and suitable number of accessible bays to be provided; alternative payment methods. These are all requirements for the DPA. Ensure disabled motorists can use the car park with ease; Operators of off-street car parks do not have to recognise the Blue Badge scheme Raise awareness among the general public that the owner/operator has but it is the easiest way to identify people with a mobility problem. considered and, where appropriate, taken action and introduced measures to Not all disabled people with mobility problems have a badge.

6 This is either ensure the parking facility is suitable for disabled motorists. because they choose not to have one, do not qualify, or their disability is temporary. Provide an easy way for disabled motorists to locate a car park which is suitable for In these circumstances you may wish to allow them to park in a disabled bay to meet their needs. your requirements under the Equality Act. Some local authorities may also produce their own temporary disability badge or badge for older people using their car parks. Reduce disabled bay abuse. Ensure disabled people are not penalised for the extra time taken when using To qualify for the DPA you must show evidence of accessible bays being policed parking facilities. to ensure they are not being used by people who do not have a disability. Car parks which do not police their bays are at risk of a claim under the Equality Act.

7 Overview of the Scheme 3. DPA GUIDING PRINCIPLES. Copies of the Assessment Guidelines and forms for either an initial application or re-assessment are available at . The DPA is issued to parking facilities following a successful assessment of the site. The assessment will initially be in the form of a self-assessment. However, more information may be sought or an independent assessor may visit the site. A DPA is initially granted for one year and provides members of the public with a commitment from the owner/operator to provide facilities for disabled people and monitor their disabled bays to prevent abuse. Any organisation or person applying for DPA must: Fill in a self-assessment form and return it to DMUK. If applicable allow an Independent Assessor on site Agree to keep appropriate records to show that enforcement of disabled bays is being carried out.

8 Pay the appropriate fees set by DMUK. Agree to display the DPA sign. 4. ADMINISTRATION. Certificates will be issued annually. The DPA is prepared and maintained in consultation with the private and local Re-assessment will be at a yearly interval. The circumstances leading to any authority parking operators. variation will be notified to the owner/operator. The approval or rejection of the DPA for individual car parks is the responsibility Independent assessors shall be entitled to undertake unscheduled reviews and of DMUK. inspections in order to ensure that the outcomes and expectation of the standards are being adequately maintained. Independent assessors are persons appointed by DMUK who are responsible for determining if the requirements of the award have been met. If an assessor does not feel a car park has reached the standards of the DPA.

9 They will provide help and guidance on how the DPA standards can be met. A time The award will be reviewed at appropriate intervals to make sure that it period will be agreed for the standards to be met. If after this time period the remains relevant. standards are still not met the DPA may be removed. Changes to the assessment criteria may change without prior notice. Any car park who DMUK does not think meets the standards of the DPA or a car If you have any questions, comments or complaints about the DPA and park facing removal of its DPA can appeal following the DPA appeals process. its application please contact DMUK via tel: 01508 489449 or email: Overview of the Scheme 5. ASSESSMENT. DMUK on 01508 489449. To be granted the DPA a car park must have suitable facilities for disabled or email people, practice active enforcement of disabled bays and recognise the extra time taken by disabled people by implementing a concessionary charge.

10 Parking facilities able to demonstrate all of the above will normally be able to achieve an Award. A parking facility which does not meet the criteria will not qualify for an Award. 6. APPEALS AND DISPUTE MANAGEMENT. Every effort will be made by DMUK to resolve difficulties and disputes resulting from failed application/reassessment. An appeals process is available to owners/. operators who believe they have reasonable grounds for concern regarding the administration and/or the outcome of an application/reassessment. Further information is available from DMUK. Appeals should be lodged in writing within one month of the failed assessment to: DPA Appeals, DMUK, Ashwellthorpe, NR16 1EX. 7. PROMOTING THE DPA. Car parks which have achieved the DPA are encouraged to promote the award by prominently displaying the DPA sign at their facility.