Push for pubs and restaurants to get ratings on their disabled access

Disability rights campaigners in Blackpool hope to see accessibility certificates introduced.

Wheelchair
Author: Paige CollierPublished 21st Oct 2018

Disability rights campaigners are calling for pubs and restaurants to get ratings for how accessible they are - in the same way as food hygiene stars.

It comes as Blackpool charity Disability First have just been given a million pounds for an app to list the facilities that venues have.

Alan Reid is the charities CEO and says they'll be working with businesses to show them how little changes can make a big difference.

"Sometimes businesses have this fear factor that they have to spend several thousand pounds or more on adaptions. We do have a slight concern that businesses might see it as a threat but we want to support businesses to improve their facilities then part of the project we are running will then promote what these businesses have in place.

"By having some basic disability awareness this will really help the business but also make the experience of disabled people when they come to the Fylde coast a more positive experience."

Helen Fincham is a campaigner backing the new plan.

She was left paralysed two years ago by a rare neurological condition - all she wants is to be able to enjoy a night out and a simple sticker may help:

"My friends and I were really looking forward to a night out, and I took her word for it that it would be accessible. When we got there, there were steps to get in and we were just really angry because it was embarrassing and it just ruined the night for us. My friends missed out, I missed out.

"It's so frustrating sometimes you've planned a night out and you're really looking forward to it and then you get their and there are issues like that or the tables are too low, it just really destroys your mood and self worth.

"Being relatively new to this, I've only been in a wheelchair for two years I am used to the luxury of the lifestyle to never have to question whether I can get in somewhere and if they have toilets because you never would question that before.

"It should just be the norm for everyone."

Volunteers hope to see accessibility certificates introduced in Wales.