Access Officer

The Access Officer will ensure Galway City Council meets its statutory obligations under the Disability Act 2005 by facilitating access to services, buildings, information, and public spaces for people with disabilities. The Access Officer will champion universal design, promote inclusive practices, and support staff and service users in achieving accessibility goals. The Access Officer will also assist in the implementation of the Galway City & County Age Friendly Strategy 2026 – 2031 and provide support and facilitation to the Galway City Older Persons Council.

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• Act as the designated Access Officer under Section 26(2) of the Disability Act 2005
  
• Develop and implement a Galway City Council Accessibility Strategy and Universal Design Action Plan
  
• Advise Departments on inclusive service delivery, built environment accessibility, and reasonable accommodations
  
• Monitor compliance with relevant legislation (e.g., Disability Act, Equal Status Acts, Building Regulations)
  
• Coordinate access audits of Council buildings, facilities, and public spaces
  
• Liaise with project managers (architects, engineers, and planners) to ensure accessibility in capital projects
  
• Support procurement processes to include accessibility criteria
  
• Support the implementation of the Galway City & County Age Friendly Strategy 2026 – 2031 and provide support to the Galway City Older Persons Council including facilitation of monthly meetings and events
  
• Co‑ordinate activities for Positive Ageing Week and assist with proposals for The Age Friendly Recognition and Achievement Awards
  
• Liaise with Age Friendly Homes Officer to provide supports and guidance
  
• Manage and co‑ordinate the inter‑departmental Age Friendly and Accessibility group
  
• Manage an Access fund to support community initiatives to enhance accessibility
  

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• Serve as the first point of contact for accessibility and older persons queries and complaints from the public
  
• Engage with disability advocacy groups, service users, and community organisations
  
• Facilitate monthly Older Persons Council meetings and support quarterly meetings of the Age Friendly Alliance
  
• Deliver training and awareness programmes for Council xcfaprz staff
  
• Represent Galway City Council on regional and national access forums
  
• Establish and co‑ordinate Disability & Inclusion Steering Committee of the local authority and external stakeholder representatives as a sub group of the Local Community Development Committee
  

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• Maintain records of accessibility requests, complaints, and resolutions
  
• Prepare annual reports on accessibility progress and challenges
  
• Contribute to the Council’s Disability Equality Action Plan and Public Sector Duty reporting
  

Compliance with monitoring and reporting frameworks for accessibility compliance

Galway City Council
City Hall
College Road
Galway
H91 X4K8