Product category:
Building Industry QA and Benchmarks
News Release from: Configure | Subject: DDA auditing software
Edited by the Buildingtalk Editorial
Team on 17 June 2005
DDA auditing software available on
licence
Configure, the UK's leading commercial disability access consultancy, is to offer its software, under licence, to enable organisations or individuals to carry out their own access audits.
Configure, the UK's leading commercial disability access consultancy, is for the first time to offer its software, under licence, to enable organisations or individuals to carry out their own access audits Until now, this innovative tool had only been used by Configure's own auditors
This article was originally published on Buildingtalk on 13 Nov 2006 at 8.00am (UK)
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SMART Audit DDA Access Audit software operates on a handheld PDA, in conjunction with a camera attachment, enabling users to undertake full access audits of all types of premises either for their own organisation or for clients.
Upon 'docking' the PDA with a PC, the data is uploaded to Configure's server where it is collated and processed, before being compiled into two reports: one a detailed accessibility report and the other an action plan.
Both can be checked online by the auditor before final dispatch, either electronically as a pdf or hard copy.
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The software is intuitive and easy to use, and comes with a day's training for the user.
It is a highly cost effective access audit solution, especially if there are numerous locations to be audited, and an alternative to traditional manual auditing methods.
The reports produced are manageable and useable.
Using a colour scheme to indicate priority, it can quickly reveal urgent and overdue action likely to be required under existing legislation, those tasks likely to be considered 'reasonable' to meet the requirements of emerging legislation, and those non-essential although desirable to provide equal access to all, each with indicative costs.
The software tool significantly cuts the costs of auditing, reduces the time on-site and the time to produce the final report and recommendations.
As the database on the server is used for every audit, it removes subjectivity and inconsistency.
David Driver, a solicitor and Configure's legal director, explained: "The DDA is different from much legislation in that it is a civil Act.
It does not provide specific regulations, it awaits test cases in the courts to determine the level and requirements upon businesses to make 'reasonable adjustments' to ensure inclusive access to all.
"As these cases are determined, the obligations on organisations will be defined and the legislation becomes quantified.
Whereas independent access auditors will need to keep abreast of all these developments, our database will be updated with the changed requirements being automatically included in the recommendations by those subscribing to our SMART Audit software and all our access auditors who use the same software." The system is also revolutionary in that when there are test case results necessitating a change in the interpretation of the legislation, it automatically flags up if the change impacts upon previously completed audits.
This will minimise the need to re-audit premises periodically just to ensure adherence to the changing legislation.
The new software will be particularly useful to organisations with multiple sites.
The software has been used by Travelodge to audit all 250 of its locations across the UK, providing a unified approach, and consistent results throughout.
The software also provides important consolidated management information, such as a full list of all priority actions needed across a region, or across the entire country.
Licences for SMART Audit DDA Access Audit software, together with PDA and camera if required, can be obtained from Configure by calling 0800 652 2824.
Further information can be found on the configure website.
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