Disabled Access Guide to Visit 1000 Venues in Birmingham

DisabledGo held a consultation meeting today with disabled people and stakeholders to explain the scope and purpose of a new resource to be launched in Birmingham this year.  DisabledGo, working in partnership with Birmingham City Council, will produce an online access guide to the city to give disabled people, their friends, family and carers the freedom and confidence to make their own decisions on where to go. 

Delegates at the meeting felt that this new guide will both celebrate and expose the varying degrees of consideration that Birmingham organisations and businesses are giving to disabled people.

Funding for the 1^st year of the project has been provided by Marks & Spencer and Birmingham City Council has committed to funding the following 5 years’ work.

What’s it all about?

• The guide will provide detailed access information to 1,000 venues across Birmingham;
• Each venue will be visited in person by a trained surveyor;
• Venues listed will be sourced from the public and private sector, chains and independents;
• Venues cannot self-assess their own access; and
• The surveys will provide a snapshot of facilities but not make judgements or recommend improvements.

What are the Timescales?

20 January 2012:  DisabledGo need to know where to go and want to local people to suggest venues to survey for the guide. 

23 January 2012:  Surveying begins

23 April 2012:  Official launch of the guide

How to get Involved?

DisabledGo are offering paid job opportunities to disabled people and surveyors.  They also ask for nominations of the 1000s venues to be included in the guide – your local coffee shop, restaurant, hair salon, swimming pool, library etc.   

Clear here for DisabledGo’s website

Clear here for the Birmingham City Council section on the online forum