It's a common story - a disabled person unable to join their friends and colleagues on a night out due to the lack of accessible venues. It is scandalous that we are still struggling with an archaic approach which leaves disabled people - literally - out in the cold if they wish to use a toilet in a pub or order drinks at the bar.

Thanks to efforts of Mark Cooper and Capability Scotland, new legislation was passed in 2010 which means that all licensed venues will soon have to provide a statement of access and facilities.

As the provision on Disability Access Statements has not yet come into effect, this means that it is not yet a requirement for licensed venues to be accessible or to make reasonable adjustments to provide access where a venue may be under a conservation order or somehow be otherwise prohibited from structural change.

However, the final drafts for guidance and 'disabled access and facilities statement' are due to go out for public consultation, giving disabled people the opportunity to give their comments on what needs to be included to provide a comprehensive access statement. Once in place, all venues will be required to provide this access statement publicly and to have it on show within their premises.

SDEF are working with Access Panels to explore opportunities for involvement in the provision of these access statements within their local community - part of the driver behind the Access Survey training currently being offered to all Access Panels.

If you would like to know more, please get in touch with This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . All members will be sent the consultation briefing as soon as it is published. We look forward to receiving your comments and to the beginning of a more access-aware licensed environment. Cheers to that!