Your action plan
The following is a step-by-step guide to becoming an inclusive and accessible business
1) An Access Statement
What is an Access Statement?
An Access Statement is a written, clear and accurate, and above all honest description of your current facilities and the services you offer, to enable a potential visitor to make an informed decision as to whether your business meets their particular access needs.
From April 2007 you will be required to prepare an Access Statement, as part of your quality grading assessment with VisitBritain. Thereafter, you will need to present an Access Statement annually to your quality assessor at the time of your quality assurance visit. During your assessment this year, the assessor will ask if you have prepared an Access Statement/information. If you haven't prepared anything the assessor will highlight this in the deficiencies part of your report. Your rating will not be affected this year if you do not have an Access Statement. On your next annual assessment, in the 2008/9 participation year, the need for an Access Statement/ information will be enforced and this will affect the rating that can be awarded.
Guidance about the wording can be found if you click here.
The fact that you have this information to hand (available at reception and over the telephone) can be advertised and will be available if requested by disabled customer or their representative.
You may find the Self Audit Toolkit detailed under IndividuALL on this site is useful in guiding you through all the information you need to collect so that you can advise customers appropriately.
2) Make a self-assessment
We suggest that you might find a self-assessment a useful starting point.
If you use the self-assessment step in the National Accessible Scheme (see point (6) below) you have a ready made format for subsequently applying for a grading. You can also use it as the basis of an access statement, so that you are in a position to inform guests as to what access is like at your establishment.
3) Get professional advice
This is discussed above. An access audit will help you decide what adjustments you need to make.
4) Have some training
Again, this is discussed above.
5) Check if there is any funding available.
6) Implement changes to policies, practices and adjustments to buildings.
Make sure that your action plan details these and the costs incurred. You may like to consider the changes on different timescales i.e. short term/immediate changes, second stage/medium term and long term/full realisation
7) Acquiring an access standard
Once your plans are in place, you can apply for a grading in the National Accessible Scheme. Originating as the Tourism for All standards, the scheme was overhauled and relaunched in 2002 and administered now by VisitBritain. The scheme has a rating system which can show at a glance to would-be holidaymakers what accessible facilities to expect. Independent assessment means that there is a consistent standard, which is the only way of giving a level of assurance to the customer.
8) Marketing your accessible business
Once you have spent time, effort and resources on improving your accessibility, make sure that your potential guests get to know about it!
Make sure that your marketing materials are themselves accessible (see AbilityNet and the RNIB).
Here are some recommended steps:
- Prepare an Access Statement and include this on your website, together with helpful images of the accessible facilities – in particular the accessible bathroom or shower room and WC.
- Join Tourism for All. You can use the logo to advertise your support for the aims of accessibility and your information can be passed to potential disabled visitors through the Tourism for All information service, which is setting out to be a comprehensive source of accessible holiday information in the country. As a TFA member, you will get news of events, awards, activities and any changes in the law, and be able to share experiences and information with other members in the industry.
- Join the National Accessible Scheme. The recognisable NAS logo makes it easier to search for appropriate accommodation, and independent assessment gives a level of assurance not available in any other way. The self-assessment tool recommended by us is the first step in an NAS grading. To join the NAS, contact Brian Seaman at Tourism for All or Quality in Tourism.
- Use conventional means of publicising your business in the media, through the internet, and tourism associations. Creating accessible facilities is a good news story.
- You can also enter the Excellence in England Tourism awards for Tourism for All to highlight your facilities (regional heats are held by the Regional Tourist Boards).
9) Joining with others
As well as joining TFA and the NAS, you can get involved with others in your area by finding out what policies your local authority is promoting, and contacting the Regional Tourism organisation. See section on Creating Accessible Destinations.
10) Employment
Employing disabled people can be a major help in gaining disability awareness within a business, as well as opening up new sources of recruitment. Disability Employment Action is an initiative to implement practical initiatives to increase the employment of disabled people in hospitality, leisure, travel and tourism by Springboard UK, with partners JobCentrePlus and disability experts. For further information, contact rhonam@springboard.org.uk
11) Getting feedback from visitors
Evaluate your efforts by getting feedback from your visitors. Make sure you keep a record of their comments, and where appropriate build suggestions in to the next phase of your action plan. Nothing ever stays still, and expectations are constantly changing, so try to stay ahead of the game.
(Last Updated: 11-04-2008)