Access Scheme Standards, Training and Support

The commissioning of a set of national access standards focused on improving the user experience of D/deaf, Disabled and Neurodivergent people when attending arts and cultural events. To support the adoption of these standards we will also be providing assessment tools, quality assurance, training and support. The intention is to produce a Standards framework containing existing standards including 1, Built Environment (BS5000), 2. Digital and Communications (W3C) as well as encouraging the development of standards in 3. Customer Service and 4. Commissioning, Events and Programming. We have undertaken some discovery work in the four areas and identified gaps. We don’t have a particular approach in mind and are open to the above services either being procured from separate suppliers, a consortium, or a single multi-disciplined supplier. We would welcome the opportunity to talk with a supplier or suppliers about how the Standards Framework can be developed and implemented along with training and support services needed for organisations to better meet the needs and aspirations of disabled arts and cultural attendees. We envisage the support and training offer will be delivered online and in-person, as appropriate, and we would like to discuss the possible use of a virtual learning environment (VLE). We would like to engage in some Pre-market engagement in July/August 2023. To explore how these Standards, Training and Support might be developed within the sector. Please forward some brief information (max 2 sides of A4) about your organisation and your experience of developing standards, training and support to procurement.services@artscouncil.org.uk . Please put "Access Scheme; Standards, Training and Support" in the email title.