Access Efforts Recognised
| Published: 3rd December 2008 09:47 |
'Access Efforts Recognised'
The presentation to the winners of the first Northampton Accessiblity Awards is to take place on 3rd December, the International Day for Disabled People at the Guildhall 5pm - 6pm.
Good accessibility is about meeting the needs of all customers, including those with disabilities. To celebrate local businesses which have gone the 'extra mile', Ability Northants and Northampton's Disabled People's Forum have been running an Accessibility Awards scheme throughout summer 2008.
Volunteers have been out in the community, at events, at Shopmobility and Ability Northants and accepting nominations on-line too - to find out from customers about which services they find the best for providing accessible services in Northampton area. People who sent in nominations received free Balloon Festival tickets as a thank you for taking part. The nominations were judged by a panel of disabled people.
The Awards scheme seeks to celebrate and highlight good practice in Northampton.
There were 4 categories for awards this year. These were as follows, with the winners and runners up shown:
- Pubs, Cafes and Restaurants: Winner - Marks & Spencer Cafe in Abington St, Runner Up - Billing Mill
- Leisure Services: Winner - Mounts Baths Leisure Centre, Runner Up - Danes Camp Leisure Centre
- Supermarkets: Winner - Waitrose in Kingsthorpe, Runner Up - Tesco, Mereway
- Local Shops: Winner - Wyevale Garden Centre, Runner Up - Co-Op in Far Cotton
Some of the feedback has also shown some services perceived as having particular barriers which prevent people accessing them as they would like. Feedback is being offered to help them improve for the future.
Cllr Pam Varnsverry, Co-Chair of the Disabled People's Forum said: "International Day for People with Disabilities is about the rights and ability of people with disabilities. It's about promoting the inclusion of people with disabilities in community life and recognises that legislation alone is not enough to change practices to improve access for disabled people to services, work etc. The Northampton Accessiblity Awards are in the spirit of this day, seeking to promote the inclusivity of disabled people in leisure, sports, and shopping in Northampton. It has been a pleasure to work with Abiliity Northants and members of the Forum to bring this scheme into being and I would also like to thank all those people who took the time to get involved and share their views about local services with us."
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