Inaccessible Reopening

The Problems with Reopening

We all look like obese Bee Gees after being lockdown for the past 12 months on and off, so we are all entitled to get out, breath the fresh air, get a new trim, do some retail therapy…right!? So put down that spoonful of nutella, and lets head down the high street and spend some cash. 

All sounds well and good and I’m guessing most people have either been for a pint, had their haircut or got lost round IKEA in the past few days. However what does the reopening spell for disabled consumers?

Well I’m sure everyone will be a little anxious about mixing in large groups of strangers after so long, we’ve forgot what being in a crowd, looks like never mind feels like. However as things have started reopening this week I’ve noticed the solutions being used by businesses up and down the country can have a real impact on accessibility issues for many people.

For example the recent trend of plonking a bench on any spare bit of pavement near a pub, to create some weird obstacle course beer garden, that I would be surprised if MacGyver could negotiate. Or the click and collect bays and crowd control barriers that use a large percentage, if not all the accessible bays in some car parks. What message are you sending to your disabled customers? I’ll tell you. WE DON’T CARE. It really is as simple as that. 

We get it you’re desperate to get back to normal, we all are, that includes disabled people too. Establishments and brands need to be very careful how they reopen and pay consideration to all elements of accessibility at your venue. Because if a disabled customer has a bad experience or even worse, cannot get to, or inside your venue, guess what? Their money is going somewhere else where they are catered for and valued and they won't be coming back.

Let’s come out of this better, bolder and more accessible for everyone.

If you need any support with accessible video tours of your venue to support visitors give me shout [email protected].