We are committed to ensuring that all people have an equal opportunity to access our services. We recognise our duties under the Equality Act 2010 to promote equality of opportunity for all. Beyond our legal duties, we are also committed to supporting vulnerable people to access our services, and all our staff follow our guidance on Supporting Vulnerable Complainants.
Accessibility
We are committed to making our service easily accessible to everyone. In designing our offices, our procedures and this website, we have tried to ensure that we are as open and accessible as possible.1. Accessing our service
If you have specific needs, we will make reasonable adjustments wherever possible. You can tell us about your needs on our forms, or contact us. Please explain exactly what you need, and we will let you know what we can do.
2. Other languages and formats
We welcome enquiries, complaints and applications in all languages. Phone us on freephone 0800 377 7330 and tell us which language you use. We will provide telephone interpretation support as quickly as possible.
We can also provide our advice and information leaflets in other languages and formats (such as large print or Braille). Please tell us what you need. We have a portable loop induction system in our office for hearing aid users.
BSL users can contact us via contactSCOTLAND-BSL, the online British Sign Language interpreting video relay service.
There are a number of changes you can make to your computer or browser to make reading, writing and using the internet easier. The following links provide step by step guides on how to make some of these adaptions:
Ability Net also have a free guide 'My Computer My Way' which provides information and instructions on how to access a range of accessibility features on laptops, tablets and mobile phones.
The SPSO is committed to making this website accessible to everyone. We have developed it following web standards and accessibility guidelines, and aim to meet and where possible exceed level AA of the W3C’s Web Content Accessibility Guidelines.
We are aware that some areas of the website are not fully compliant and we are conducting a full review in 2023 in order to implement website changes that will make our service more accessible. Read more in our accessibility statement.
If you are visiting us in person, Bridgeside House is wheelchair accessible. There is an access ramp from the street to the building doorway and a video intercom which is at an accessible height. The building also has a lift.
There is metered on-street parking directly outside the front of Bridgeside House and a dropped kerb to the right of the building where McDonald Road meets Papermill Wynd.
Please note, if you would like to visit our office in person, you must arrange an appointment first by phoning 0800 377 7330 or using our online contact form. We will not accept visitors without an appointment.
If you have specific needs, we will make reasonable adjustments wherever possible. You can tell us about your needs on our complaint form, or contact us. Please explain exactly what you need, and we will let you know what we can do.
Equality
At the SPSO, we have robust measures in place to make sure that into account the impact any new work or change to our service could have on equality. In particular we look at how the work may impact on our duty to:
- Eliminate discrimination, harassment and victimization
- Advance equality of opportunity (includes removing or minimising disadvantages, taking steps to meet the needs, and encouraging participation in public life of people from protected groups)
- Promote good relations between groups.
We undertake an initial equality impact analysis screening questionnaire prior to starting any new work. In some cases, we will also conduct a fill equality impact analysis.
Diversity and Inclusion
We promote diversity and inclusion at the SPSO through awareness raising, our hiring policies and direct action. Some examples include:
- Awareness: We are active members of the Employer’s Network for Equality & Inclusion (enei). Through this network we have access to practical advice, resources and events that help us to achieve and promote best practice in equality and inclusion in the workplace.
- Hiring: All disabled applicants who meet the essential selection criteria are invited to interview as part of our hiring policy. Read more on our disability and equal opportunities statements on our recruitment page. You can find information on our workforce demographic in our latest annual report.
- Action: Our Inclusion, Diversity, Equalities and Accessibility (IDEA) group is an internal working group with membership from across the organisation. The group meet regularly to discuss and drive SPSO diversity and inclusion initiatives forward.