The aim of the Inclusive Environment Disabled Residents Team (IE DRT)
The Inclusive Environment Disabled Residents Team provides the leadership and strategic advice to ensure a positive accessible experience for all, including Disabled people in an accessible and inclusive street environment.
We support Hammersmith & Fulham Council to ensure "Nothing About Disabled People Without Disabled People" and that everyone is ruthlessly inclusive.
This means:
- Disabled residents sharing their lived experience of barriers they face every day
- inclusive design standards embedded in design and delivery of both capital and maintenance projects on transport, highway and other street environments in Hammersmith and Fulham
- inclusive design standards embedded throughout the revised H&F StreetSmart guidance
- implementing priority areas of work for an accessible and inclusive street environment in Hammersmith and Fulham
- accessible and inclusive information and communication with Disabled residents.
"I really feel I am helping to make a difference to the lives of disabled people in the borough through my membership of the Inclusive Environment Disabled Residents Team. We are able to work with council officers to identify obstacles in the street and to tackle barriers in the environment so that getting get out and about is less challenging. It's really important to have people with all sorts of experiences giving their views so please think about joining us. "
Kate Betteridge, Inclusive Environment Disabled Residents Team
"We make recommendations in our group to keep our pavements safe to walk on for everyone ; clear of obstacles from excess street furniture or abandoned hire bikes. We also get to comment on and suggest adjustments to the design of bus bypasses in conversation with TfL. You can only influence change or support what works well if you re part of the conversation so why not come and join us."
Suzanne lwai, Inclusive Environment Disabled Residents Team
"I am very proud to co-chair the Inclusive Environment Disabled Residents Team, striving to deliver a public realm that tackle barriers for our communities. As a team we are committed to working in partnership to create an accessible and inclusive environment in Hammersmith and Fulham for all residents."
Russell Trewartha, Inclusive Environment Disabled Residents Team
Background – our co-production journey
The co-production group Safer Cycle Pathway Disabled Residents Team was formed in 2021 to work together with Hammersmith & Fulham Council to provide a positive experience for blind, visually impaired and Disabled residents who face barriers in using the Safer Cycle Pathway on King Street.
The Safer Cycle Pathway Disabled Residents Team became the Inclusive Environment Disabled Residents Team in 2024 with six residents and are currently looking for six more residents to join the team.
Who is on the group?
- Jane Wilmot OBE: IE DRT Resident Co-Chair
- Russell Trewartha: H&F Assistant Director of Capital Projects & Co-Chair
- Annie Baker: Assistant Director of Street Environment Services and Environment Department & Co-Production Champion
- Disabled residents; Kate Betteridge, Suzanne Iwai, Andrew Hodgson, Devaki Sivasubramannian and Natasha Trotman
How often does the group meet?
The group will meet around 10 times each year and members will be paid £20 per hour for their attendance at meetings. We will make sure meetings are held in an inclusive way so that everyone can take part.
Key achievements – our achievements in 2023/24
- Introduction of four new disabled shopper bays around King Street and its side streets following disabled members providing their lived experience of barriers in using the street environment which included the need for additional parking for blue badge holders.
- Inclusive Environment Disabled Residents Team inspiring H&F officers to be ruthlessly inclusive when developing plans and implementing proposals.
- H&F Council commissioned MIMA to provide an independent accessibility audit of King Street which was carried out by two disabled consultants.
- We ensured that H&F officers attended training on the transport needs of Disabled people.
Our priorities for 2024/25 include
- Encouraging more residents with lived experience of barriers in the street environment to join the team.
- Promoting the work of the Inclusive Environment Disabled Residents Team.
- Mitigating barriers in the street environment identified by residents.
Join the team!
Invitation to apply to join the H&F Inclusive Environment Disabled Residents Team
Get in touch
For further information contact Ruby.Jones@lbhf.gov.uk or 07468 70993