The Disability Resource Exchange

Who are the Disability Resource Exchange?

The Disability Resource Exchange (DRE) is a charity and Company Limited by Guarantee run by disabled people and carers of disabled people. We are based in Crewe but cover the whole of the South Cheshire area.   We run an Information Helpline for people with disabilities, carers, professionals and anyone with an interest in disability issues.

Besides the collecting, collating and the inputting of up to date information on to our INCHES (Information Cheshire) database, we specialise in providing access audits and appraisals.  The DRE access service covers Crewe & Nantwich, Congleton Borough and on occasion the Vale Royal area.

We work in partnership with Crewe & Nantwich and Congleton Borough Councils Planning Departments.  Planning applications are sent from the above Councils, we then request all plans for buildings which the general public would visit. We make recommendations which we feel will improve “ACCESS FOR ALL” (not just for people with disabilities).  We use “Part M” Building regulations and British Standard BS 8300 plus our own experience, gained when visiting public buildings as disabled people.

With our expertise in this field, we have recently been heavily involved in viewing plans and visiting Community Halls and Churches aiming to provide disabled access. A letter of support is provided if they meet the criteria required, enabling them to apply for possible funding from Waste Recycling Environmental Ltd (WREN) a non-profit making, registered Environmental Body that distributes grants to community, heritage and conservation projects under the Landfill Tax Credit Scheme.

We are consulted on many initiatives within the borough, i.e. the plans for Wulvern Housing Trust, for their new main offices; signage within Crewe town; the production of a town plan of Nantwich, which gives information where disabled parking is situated and which banks shops etc. are accessible.  Our past projects have included 17 of Crewe & Nantwich Borough Council’s Public Buildings and all the Borough’s Car Parks, the Community Healthcare Clinics for Central Cheshire Primary Care Trust, South Cheshire College and numerous other small audits and appraisals,

We currently have several commitments, the largest being the NHS Executive Audit of Mid Cheshire Hospitals Trust.  As well as the audit we are consulted on plans for any new buildings such as the new Treatment Centre, Pathology Lab and the Diabetic Clinic. We are a member of the Disability Working Group at Leighton Hospital where we have an input into ways of improving their service for “DISABLED PEOPLE USING HOSPITALS,” such as an outpatients leaflet in large print for people with a visual impairment, a new design for the menu cards with larger print and a more user-friendly layout.

We are undertaking access audits for Crewe Alexandra Stadium, Shavington Sports Centre and the training facility at Reaseheath.  The DRE have also been requested to audit all the dentists involved with Central Cheshire Primary Care Trust.

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