I strongly believe everyone regardless of their access needs should be able to go out independently without having to have someone with them & have the accessibility knowledge to do so

Me & My Story

During my life I have experienced that anxiety as a wheelchair user and assistance dog owner of going somewhere new, whether I can get in or the general customer service or whether people will help me or accommodate my assistance dog.

This anxiety and fear did stop me from going out, especially independently. I lost out on a lot in life as a result, this has somewhat. eased in recent years, however these anxieties still exist if I go anywhere new.

My project 

This is where my project came from, When I noticed the hygiene rating scheme sticker I couldn’t understand why there wasn’t something similar regarding access. This was reconfirmed to me as a needed scheme when I started my Facebook blog reviewing places I visit.My Facebook blog

From my experiences at local businesses, I became aware there was no review site giving honest, up to date accessibility reviews including essential information that someone with access needs, need to know e.g., if there is an accessible toilet and a photo showing the toilet layout and facilities. Or there isn’t one that people actually know about and use. From this, individuals can determine whether facilities meet their personal needs.

The idea

My idea is to produce an Access Rating Scheme whereby any business serving the public must prominently display an Access Rating Scheme Sticker, like the hygiene rating scheme, although I intend to use a symbol based rating system instead of numbers and stars as setting definitive levels for how good of bad somewhere accessibility is as every disabled person* is different with their own needs and priorities so what is a priority to person A may not be a priority for person B yet they may have the same disability.

A crucial element of my project is that it’s not about enforcing improvement (which requires jurisdiction), but it is about highlighting the access situation as it is and if this causes businesses to improve that’s their decision. 

Aspirational Standards

But it does give the gold standard, silver standard and bronze standard for businesses to aspire to be.  This highlights to customers and potential customers that the business has a heart, cares about customers needs and meeting them. In turn this will encourage disabled people to visit the business, spend their money and encourage repeat business as well as encouraging others to do the same.

Competitors 

I understand there are competitors in the disabled market but there doesn't seem to be one that is a kind of 1 stop shop giving vital information for a range of businesses and giving standards a business can strive towards. The competitors don't seem to have great market presence or public knowledge as well as only focusing on the big towns which is no good for those in smaller more rural areas.

Advertising 

I've advertised heavily on Facebook, twitter, Instagram and tik tok as well as on LinkedIn.  As well as this I have advertised on ITV Meridian news. 

I've also started a petition My petition to try to make my scheme a reality to help everyone with access needs.

 Taking my scheme to the next level

Your donations will initially be used for marketing and advertising my scheme to improve my market presence and public knowledge.  

I also want to produce an app which will integrate other local disability services such as disabled parking, disabled/accessible toilets/ changing places or service dog toileting area. This will make use of the user’s location to show real-time local services. This app will be linked via a QR code on the Access Scheme Sticker in shop windows. 

I'm not taking a wage from this at all so penny donated will be reinvested into making the scheme a success for the benefit its users. When I've fundraised above the threshold I will be registering as an official charity and get a charity number. 

Please help make my access scheme a reality, to enable those with access needs to be fully informed to make decisions based on their own circumstances.

You can help me make the world more accessible for all 1 place at a time. No matter how big or small every donation helps!