Schools access initiative programme
All Central Bedfordshire schools can apply for funding for compulsory school-age children with disabilities (reception to year 11) under the schools access initiative programme.
If a child has an education, health and care plan (EHCP), lives in Central Bedfordshire but goes to school in another area, they could still get help with equipment or adaptations under this programme.
Schools can apply for capital funding for building works costing a minimum of £2,000 or more excluding VAT, to adapt and improve the school building to make it more accessible to children with disabilities. Examples of projects funded include:
- ramps
- disabled toilets
- wet rooms
- electronic doors
- acoustic adaptations
- soundfield systems
Schools can also apply for funding to buy specialised equipment costing a minimum of £2,000 or more excluding VAT required by children with disabilities to access learning.
Examples of equipment funded include:
- specialist chairs
- height-adjustable desks
- changing tables
- hoists
Funding is allocated, based on a specific child’s needs, to schools that currently have, or are due to admit, one or more disabled pupils on roll.
Applications are evaluated against the priority for funding identified in our Accessibility Strategy (PDF 226.3KB) 
which, in summary, sets priority as follows:
- improvements to meet the needs of a child already in school, or due to transfer to a school in the following year
- improvements where adaptations will be required in future years
- other improvements to allow access as set out in each school accessibility plan