Residents are being invited to take part in the first meeting of the West Berkshire Disability Access Forum, a new public forum designed to help improve accessibility and inclusion across the district.

The inaugural meeting will take place on Thursday 6 August, from 10.30am to 12.30pm, in the Council Chamber at West Berkshire Council’s Market Street offices. Focusing on physical accessibility, the meeting will give attendees the opportunity to share their experiences, highlight barriers they face, and suggest ways to improve access and inclusion across West Berkshire. There will also be presentations from West Berkshire Council officers, service providers and voluntary sector partners.

The forum has been established to ensure that the experiences and perspectives of disabled people help shape future policies, services and local planning. It is intended to provide a direct channel for residents to raise concerns, identify barriers and work collaboratively with the Council and partner organisations to create a more accessible district.

Councillor Vicky Poole, West Berkshire Council’s Executive Member for Strategy and Governance, Commercialisation and Disabled Community Liaison, said: “We want to set up a forum to hear directly from the people to create an inclusive West Berkshire together. When it comes to making change happen, it’s best to hear about the challenges from disabled persons and families directly, as they have the lived experience. I would encourage people to join in, whether in person, online or via YouTube replay.”

Residents are encouraged to submit questions in advance by emailing executivecycle@westberks.gov.uk before 4pm on Wednesday 5 August. Questions can also be asked during the event.

The forum is expected to meet at least twice a year and will help inform discussions on a range of issues affecting disabled residents, including experiences of council services, community issues, access to education and training. Future meetings will be driven by the priorities and experiences raised by participants.

To find out more and book a place, please visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/west-berkshire-disability-access-forum-tickets-1993016235210