1. What is the Commission doing to ensure that the Senedd estate is fully accessible for disabled people? OQ59165

Thank you for that question. The Commission is committed to ensuring that the Senedd estate is accessible to everyone. Accessibility was one of the key considerations during the design of the Senedd building, and we also considered accessibility when completing equality impact assessments for all subsequent building improvements on this estate. Officials recently met with a representative from the Royal National Institute of Blind People to discuss improvements to the external environment around the Senedd, and the resulting audit was positive and its recommendations are being considered for implementation. We've received recognition from the Royal National Institute for Deaf People and the National Autistic Society for work that's been done to improve accessibility, but we are aware, however, that we can never be complacent and will continue always to strive to be a Parliament that is open to everyone.

That's very good. Thank you, Commissioner, for that answer. It's good to hear that progress is being made. Through Equal Power Equal Voice, I've been fortunate to have a keen political activist come to my office for an internship. Kevin, who is an aspiring councillor, is disabled and requires the use of a mobility scooter to get around. During his time in the office, I've seen first-hand how our estate is not fully accessible for people in wheelchairs and mobility scooters. For example, doors to the walkway between Tŷ Hywel and the Senedd building are not automatic on both ends of the walkways, and need to be pushed outwards. This makes it inaccessible for wheelchair mobility scooter users. Unfortunately, this has meant that unless Kevin is accompanied, he has to travel out of the main building at Tŷ Hywel to get to events, out to the front of the Senedd and go outside the building. I'm sure that you'd agree with me that this is not ideal in cold and wet conditions, or at any time at all. Furthermore, coming out of the lift to go down to the walkway that leads into the canteen, there is not enough clearance for a mobility scooter or a wheelchair to properly turn, coming through the door. There are further examples around the estate. Can the accessibility of the Senedd estate be looked into with immediate effect to ensure that this place is as welcoming to disabled people as it should be, and that disabled people have the independence that they not only want, but deserve? Diolch.

I thank you for highlighting what you have highlighted and the inadequacies that currently still exist. I finished my first part by answering you, saying that we're not complacent and that we will always strive to be inclusive, and that of course stands. The Senedd was designed to provide good access for disabled people, and we did have an access adviser employed during those design stages. There are wheelchair-accessible toilets across the estate and we have accessible parking spaces next to the Senedd and within the Tŷ Hywel car park, including a recently introduced electric vehicle access parking bay. The entrance to the Senedd, as you've pointed out, can be accessed via steps, ramp and a lift, and all assistance dogs for disabled people are admitted. And we do have designated wheelchair spaces in all public galleries, and there are wheelchairs available for members of the public and sufficient spaces in public areas to accommodate wheelchairs.

I think what is happening here is the design of the building not accommodating this individual's, and others like this individual's, ability to use a different type of vehicle to move around—different to that which was clearly assessed in the first design of this building. I'm very happy to work with you, and with anyone who wants to, to see if there are things that we can do to limit the inconvenience of those things that we aren't able to do. So, I look forward to working with you yet again, to make sure that we can improve the accessibility of this building. Thank you.

We now move to question 2, to be answered by the Llywydd, and I call on Sioned Williams.