Community Access Grants Open

The aim of the Community Access Grants Scheme, supported by The Planning Service, is to help improve access to existing facilities provided by voluntary and community organisations, and thereby promote participation in community life by people with disabilities.

Any existing building currently owned and/or used by voluntary and community organisations is eligible

Examples of eligible works include:

• Providing wider car parking spaces
• Providing level or ramped entrances/exits
• Widening doorways
• Providing handrails
• Providing toilets suitable for wheelchair users
• Widening corridors
• Providing induction loop systems or infra-red systems to assist people who use hearing aids
• Providing assistive signage
• Any other work which, in the opinion of the Grants Committee, will improve access for people with disabilities.

Amount of grant available:

The grant covers 50% of the total cost of the eligible work (including VAT if payable). In certain circumstances the grant may also cover 50% of the professional fees incurred. The maximum total grant payable is £2000 (including VAT if payable).

Applicants in receipt of grant aid from any other source will be required to make application to that source before consideration will be given under this scheme.

Completed applications should be submitted not later than 3.00pm on Wednesday 04 July 2007. Applicants are encouraged, where possible, to submit well in advance of the deadline.

How to apply

Contact Disability Action’s Access Officer Kevin Pettigrew before you start:

Community Access Grants, Disability Action, Portside Business Park, 189 Airport Road West, Belfast, BT3 9ED: Telephone: 028 90 297 880, Fax: 028 90 297 881

Textphone: 028 90 297882 for deaf/hearing impaired

Email: kevinp@disabilityaction.org