Focus On Accessibility At Reading's Leisure Centres

REPRESENTATIVES from the Access and Disabilities Working Group visited the Council’s modern new leisure centres at Rivermead and Palmer to audit them for accessibility. Disabled residents who attend the working group advised the council and their partners on accessibility during the development of the centres and were pleased to note that not only do the centres offer tactile wayfinding, pool pods and accessible gym equipment and changing rooms, but also to hear from Steph Smith, GLL's Community Sport Manager, that these features are enabling residents with a range of disabilities to independently access the centres' gyms, pools, studios and sports facilities.   

Cllr Adele Barnett-Ward, Lead Member for Leisure and Culture said:

"I am grateful to the residents who attend the Access and Disabilities Working Group for their feedback and suggestions during the development of the new centres and for their continuing advice on the accessibility of our Leisure and Culture services. Their voices are vital in ensuring every resident can enjoy all that Reading has to offer." 

Cllr Andrew Hornsby-Smith, Chair of the Access and Disabilities Working Group, said: 

"The Access and Disabilities working group scrutinises the accessibility and inclusivity of the council's services and spaces and it was good to visit the centres to observe interventions in action. All disabled residents and residents with long-term health conditions are welcome to attend our meetings: please contact helen.bryant@reading.gov.uk or visit our page on the council's website to learn more." 

Steph Smith GLL Community Sport Manager said

"It was great to have members of the Access and Disability group complete a tour of two of the four centres GLL runs in Reading on behalf of the council. We had the opportunity to showcase our facilities and activities, demonstrating that they are accessible for all. We look forward to continuing to work with this group."