The aim of the group, as recorded in the minutes of the first meeting, is to discuss access to all areas of the Gallery and suggest ways in which provision could be improved. Specifically the group is intended to generate feedback and recommendations for improvements from members of the public that can be directed to meetings of the Gallery's Equality Steering Group [See NPG26]. Meetings concentrate on particular areas of the Gallery and its services. Alongside general discussion of specific access-related issues, members of staff from across the Gallery report to the group regarding accessibility in their areas of work, answer questions from group members and provide progress updates.
The group is ordinarily scheduled to meet at least one week prior to the Equality Steering Group, to formulate feedback to be taken to the next meeting of this group. In 2007- 2008 the group met three times a year and from 2009 onwards the group has met four times a year.
Meetings are lead by the Gallery's Learning and Access Manager. The group has ten members, including members of the public and representatives from interested charities and organisations. Members who are not Gallery staff attend for a maximum of one year to ensure that the group is constituted of participants who have not become used to the Gallery and to allow as many people as possible to voice their opinions. British Sign Language interpreters attend meetings as required. Individual members of Gallery staff attend meetings as guest speakers.
This series includes minutes only.