21-SSL Access Disability ramp and platform lift specialist News 290508

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SSL Access helps Strathclyde University improve life for students with disabilities

Disability ramp and platform lift specialist, SSL Access, has completed its fourth installation at Strathclyde University with another two to be carried out in the coming months.

Alongside the installation in the Graham Hills building, the University has also recently had a second lift installed in Livingstone Tower and two lifts in the Students Association Building. In addition, a further two lifts are planned for the Curran building which accommodates the University Library.

Based in Glasgow, SSL Access specialises in the supply and installation of access lifts and platforms to help private, public and commercial bodies meet their obligations under the Disability Discrimination Act.

The DDA stipulates that being disabled should not make any difference to the services and facilities an individual enjoys and puts the onus on private, public and commercial institutions to make the necessary amendments to ensure this is the case.

Marc Barry, director at SSL Access, said: “Strathclyde University is working very hard to improve access for its students with disabilities. We have been able to help them over recent months and hope to finalise the details of further installations in the near future.”

SSL Access has also provided the university with key switching to enable each student with disabilities to work all of the SSL Access’s lifts. This means students with disabilities do not have to remember numerous codes and key fobs as they go about their daily business.

SSL Access provides its clients with a 24-hour contact number and has guaranteed the university that it will be on site within 24 hours of any reported problem.

Mr Barry said: “Being able to react quickly means we can minimise any inconvenience to students with disabilities in the event of a problem. The single key also makes it much easier for them to use all of the lifts.”

Bobby Shanks, Electrical Engineer at Strathclyde University commented: “I have found SSL Access to be most accommodating and responsive. They pay attention to detail and their experience in disabled access provision meant they could offer advice and work with us to help provide optimum solutions in meeting our DDA requirements and the needs of the disabled members of our community”.

Access for students with disabilities is becoming increasingly important as their numbers continue to rise dramatically. According to the Higher Education Statistics Agency a total of 137,945 UK students declared themselves as having a disability for the year 2005/2006. This was an increase from 128,185 students in 2004/05 and 115,595 in 2003/04. Indeed since 2000/2001, the number of students with disabilities has risen by over 67%.

Email: karenmaclachlan@blueprintmedia.co.uk