Accessibility
Do you understand what is required by law in this area? Do you have an Access statement? Do you know what to do on this topic?
Some businesses think improving access is difficult and expensive. It needn’t be!
Put simply: access is how easy you make it for visitors to experience and enjoy your product.
Below is some info to help you and some websites that will help you even more! Improved accessibility benefits a wide range of the population from dad with a bad back, to gran with a hearing aid, a new mum with a pram or a teenager with a broken leg! Implementing just a few of these will help to enhance the quality of the experience for many and in turn not only meet, but exceed guests expectations.
Stay One Step Ahead – with free advice on offer!
Lincolnshire is piloting a project offering guest accommodation and self-catering businesses free advice and support when it comes to making the First Step in the National Accessible Scheme.-
‘One Step Ahead’ is about providing a more accessible business – opening up accommodation to everyone from those who are less mobile to families and elderly guests.
Today’s visitors are increasingly looking for reassurances on quality before they book. For older and less mobile visitors this is even more important, so a commitment to accessibility is one way to really keep your business One Step Ahead.
Here in Lincolnshire, we’re going one step further with an initiative that will allow some businesses to get free advice from an expert about how their properties rate against the new entry level
And for a limited number of businesses, extra support will allow them to go through the national One Step Ahead process with advice, support and fees all free of charge.
Want to know more? Contact onestepahead@live-tourism.co.uk for more details on this exciting initiative.
What is an Access Statement?
An Access Statement should not be viewed as a daunting task – it is simply writing down facilities and services that you provide for your guests and shows good customer service for all. Start off simply and add to it over time. We have a duty to promote best practice which is why some of the examples are long and detailed. You might decide for your business that some of the details are not necessary – this is fine as only you know your business and its needs. The more details however the more use the statement will be to a variety of people.
Go to http://www.enjoyengland.com/corporate/corporate-information/Quality.aspx and click on Quality Accreditation to find an Access Statement template and examples of one. Very helpful and highly recommended website.
Also in the above section you will find information on the National Accessible Scheme – a way of gaining an accreditation against a set of standards covering mobility, sight and hearing impairments that you can use in your marketing. Plus there is currently a special offer greatly reducing the joining fee for you – so check it out and see if it’s for you!
Go to http://www.enjoyengland.com/corporate/corporate-information/Quality.aspx and click on quality accreditation to download ‘Easy Does It’ – a 12 page brochure containing ideas on simple low-cost changes to benefit you and your visitors – highly recommended.
Go to www.eastmidlandstourism.com/q-book for ‘Think Access’ - a very helpful booklet which demonstrates that making a few, minor low-cost changes to your business means you can fulfill and exceed visitor expectations – again highly recommended.
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