Disabled Access Day, celebrated every two years on the 16th March, began as a day of celebration and awareness, dedicated to highlighting the importance of accessibility and inclusiveness for all, especially for individuals with disabilities.
This important campaign encourages people, businesses, and organisations to understand the challenges faced by disabled people and to take action towards creating a more accessible and inclusive environment. The event sheds light on the necessity of accessible spaces that accommodate everyone’s needs.
The Importance of Disabled Access Day
The significance of Disabled Access Day cannot be overstated. Accessibility is not a privilege but a fundamental right. For individuals with disabilities, access barriers can severely limit their ability to participate in everyday activities, from employment and education to socialising and leisure. Disabled Access Day shines a spotlight on these issues, promoting a dialogue that can lead to real change.
Ways Organisations Can Get Involved
Organisations play a pivotal role in the success of Disabled Access Day. Here are some ways to get involved:
- Accessibility Audits: Conduct comprehensive accessibility audits of your premises and services to identify and rectify barriers that might hinder disabled individuals.
- Awareness and Training Sessions: Organise training for staff to better understand the needs of disabled people and how to assist them effectively.
- Host Events: Plan events or activities that are fully accessible, showcasing your commitment to inclusivity. This could include workshops, talks, or interactive sessions that highlight accessibility features.
- Collaborate with Disabled Advocacy Groups: Work alongside disabled advocacy groups to gain insights and advice on making your organisation more inclusive.
- Promote Accessibility Initiatives: Use your platforms to share stories and initiatives that promote accessibility, inspiring others to take action.
- Feedback Loop: Create mechanisms for feedback from disabled customers or employees to understand their experiences and how you can improve.
Resources for Further Information
For those looking to dive deeper and find more resources on accessibility and how to get involved with Disabled Access Day, please find several excellent platforms:
- Disabled Access Day Official Website: www.disabledaccessday.com – Find out more about the day, how you can get involved, and resources for planning events.
- AccessAble: www.accessable.co.uk – Offers detailed access guides to thousands of places across the UK, helping people find accessible venues and services.
- Disability Rights UK: www.disabilityrightsuk.org – Provides information on rights, laws, and guidelines for disabled individuals and the organisations that support them.
- Scope: www.scope.org.uk – A charity that works to make the country a place where disabled people have the same opportunities as everyone else.
Workplace Wellbeing Professional & Disability
Workplace Wellbeing Professional believes in inclusive and supportive workspaces. To read some of our stories relating to disability and the workplace, please see below (with many more to be found under ‘disability’ in the Topic Index):
- Half of employers do not report the number of disabled people they employ
- Angela Matthews: Understanding the role of workplace adjustments and why we must look beyond them to improve employee experience
- Katy Edwards: How to improve accessibility in the workplace for neurodiverse employees
Don’t forget…
Take a look our guide below for further reading.
Employees with Disabilities: The Ultimate Guide for Managers
Joanne is the editor for Workplace Wellbeing Professional and has a keen interest in promoting the safety and wellbeing of the global workforce. After earning a bachelor's degree in English literature and media studies, she taught English in China and Vietnam for two years. Before joining Work Well Pro, Joanne worked as a marketing coordinator for luxury property, where her responsibilities included blog writing, photography, and video creation.
