Equality, diversity and inclusion

Corporate Access Forum

Liverpool is aiming to become an inclusive and accessible city for all who live, work or visit here. The Corporate Access Forum was set up to enable Disabled people and others affected by physical access barriers, the opportunity to work in partnership with Council officers and developers in order to influence the design of major regeneration projects across the city.

About us

The purpose of the Forum is not only to create an understanding of access barriers and how to overcome them, but also to instil positive attitudes towards Disabled people. This includes barriers within and around buildings, highways and public open spaces. Members are drawn from a number of key organisations including Merseyside Society for Deaf People, RNIB, Spinal Injuries Association, Bradbury Fields.

We aim to hold meetings every six weeks to coincide with the city’s committee reporting structure. These meetings are chaired by Councillor William Shortall, Labour Councillor for Old Swan West Ward, who is the only electric or manual wheelchair user of the 85 councillors across the 64 Liverpool wards. Councillor Shortall is also a representative on the Merseytravel Transport Committee and the current Lead for Buses for the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority. Other key officers include the council’s Inclusive Design Officer and Equality & Cohesion Officer.

We are keen to attract members to the Forum from a diverse range of communities, including young and older people, those from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) groups, and people who are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender.

Get involved

If you are a representative of one or more of these groups, have experience of or an active interest in access issues and are interested in joining the Forum, then please contact us.

Equal Opportunities Service
4th Floor
Cunard Building
Pier Head
Water Street
L3 1AH

Email: equal​.opportunitiesservice​@liverpool.gov.uk

Next meeting

Monday 9th September 2024 from 12.30-2.30pm (virtual Teams meeting).

Minutes from past meetings

If you require copies of other previous minutes please email carie.lee@liverpool.gov.uk.