The Skye and Lochalsh Access Panel is one of fifty Access Panels in Scotland which are constantly being developed. We provide a contact point with Highland Council on access issues, review planning and building warrant applications, undertake access audits and access surveys and provide a lobbying and watchdog role within the community. The aim is to improve accessibility for all sections of the community to the built environment and to services.
The Equality Act which came into force in October 2010 brought together, reconciled, strengthened and extended existing anti-discrimination laws. Equal opportunities are about ensuring that all members of society are given a fair and equal opportunity to participate. Treating people equally is not the same as treating everyone the same.
We are also required to consider, how we can promote equality, whether in relation to our role advising on planning applications, ensuring meetings are held in accessible venues, lobbying, etc. We recognise and value diversity in our membership, and in our community, and it is our duty, and the duty of others, to ensure that equality of opportunity be given to every participant in our community to enable their knowledge, opinion, skill and experience to be heard, valued and taken into account.
If you would like to highlight an access issue, want advice in order to improve accessibility, or to know more about the work of the Access Panel, please contact us, in the first instance, via the secretary: