A REVIEW of disabled facilities in Council-owned leisure centres has listed a number of actions that need to be put in place to ensure the facilities are more disability friendly.

The Fermanagh and Omagh District Council (FODC) report examines the Bawnacre in Irvinestown, the Castle Park Centre in Lisnaskea, and the Lakeland Forum in Enniskillen.
It found that the Council is meeting current disability requirements but says that some minor adjustments can be implemented.
The report suggests that the Bawnacre needs automatic entrance doors because “at the moment a person with access requirements may not be able to open the doors or get the attention of staff from the outside.” 
In addition, the Bawnacre needs to add a blue badge car parking space by moving staff car parking to another section and should install an accessible changing cubicle and shower facilities to cater for disabled customers.
At the Castle Park Centre in Lisnaskea, the report found the need for more prominent signage directing people to the accessible changing and shower room and automatic doors into the gym area and to the accessible toilet on the first floor. 
“This would allow people access these areas more independently, without having to ask staff or the public for support,” the report said.
In the Lakeland Forum, the report recommends that the doors leading to the male and female changing rooms on the ground floor, the disability changing area on the first floor, the swimming pool viewing area and the corridor doors on all levels be provided with either a sensor or push-pad automatic function.
It also noted: “The swimming pool viewing area is located beside the pool and café area on the first floor.
“To enter the area a person must open heavy doors, which may cause a problem for people with disabilities. In the future, it would be a big improvement to have an automatic door in this area.”
The report states: “The screen at the viewing area may cause some visual problems for people using smaller wheelchairs, as it is quite high. 
“In the future a see-through barrier should be provided to help give people using wheelchairs a clearer view of the pool.”
The existing disabled facilities in each centre are recognised by the report, which also highlights the Buddy Scheme in each centre, where guardians or assistants help patrons with a disability to access the facilities for free and alleviates the financial barrier faced by people with disabilities.