Wearepurple.org.uk reported that 1 in 5 potential UK consumers have a disability; and pubs, restaurants and clubs could be losing £163 million a month by ignoring the needs of disabled customers.
A survey by ‘Euan’s Guide‘ suggests that pubs and bars are the least accessible with 72% of people claiming that they found accessibility information on the venues website to be misleading.
Being inclusive of individuals with disabilities not only brings more profit to your business but it also allows anyone visiting your site to have a great experience. We’re sharing some ideas on how you can make your site more physically accessible and welcoming to customers with additional needs.
Consider Your Access Points
The outside of your venue is the first thing your customer will see. You can give reassurance to potential customers with a disability having an accessible outdoor area or by making it known that your access point can be adapted for wheelchair use.
If you need to use steps to access your site you may want to consider investing in a ramp. This can be a permanent wooden ramp, or even a portable ramp that can be stored away. This allows wheelchair users to easily get in and out of your establishment while maintaining a sense of independence. Some places have a ‘ring for assistance bell’ at their entrance that allows disabled customers to alert staff if they need a ramp.
You may also want to think about the type of floor in your outdoor space. It’s often difficult for wheelchair users to move along gravel and cobble flooring so it is best to opt for a smooth, flat surface such as patio.
Ensure Your Facilities are Accessible
A key thing to consider when making your hospitality business more accessible is the disabled toilet. The bathroom should be on ground floor and spacious enough for a wheelchair user and a carer if they need assistance. It is also important to have an assistance cord that reaches the floor incase of emergency.
As well as a suitable toilet, you may want to consider other facilities customers might use. Bars are often too high for wheelchair users, so having a point that is lower down will allow them to independently order. You may also want to provide some wheelchair accessible seating. Remember, it is important to care for your accessible areas (such as toilets) to the same high standard as other areas of your establishment.
Finally, ensure that there is enough space between your furniture for a wheelchair user to get through with ease.
Update Your Accessibility Information Online
Euan’s Guide’s access survey reported that 92% of disabled customers look for disabled access information online before visiting somewhere new. However, a large percentage found the information available on a venues website to be misleading or inaccurate.
Being honest about how accessible your pub may or may not be will help disabled customers evaluate the barriers they might face when visiting your establishment. This can help your potential customer avoid negative experiences and approach your venue feeling confident about the help that they can receive from your staff should they need it.
You could also consider putting accessibility information by your entrance. This is not only a great way of reassuring customers with disabilities but it also attracts people passing by. This might make the individual feel welcome for a spontaneous visit or it might simply make your venue stick in their mind the next time they’re looking for somewhere to go.
Provide Appropriate Training to Staff
Some establishments may already provide accessibility equipment such as portable ramps and induction loops for the hard of hearing. However, many report that staff typically don’t know where this equipment is kept or they aren’t trained on how to use the equipment.
Having well trained staff can make all the difference for someone with additional needs. Training on how to effectively assist disabled customers can help someone with a disability feel independent and give them a sense of empowerment. Overall, this will make your venue more welcoming and encourage the customer and their family or friends to visit again.
You can support staff in creating a disability confident environment by providing frequent training. You could also clearly sign where the portable ramp is so it remains easy to find as well as providing simple, easy to read instructions for accessibility equipment to help staff if they aren’t sure how to use it.
Quick Ways to Improve Accessibility
So, what can you do now to make you establishment more accessible for individuals with a disability?
- Invest in appropriate accessibility tools. I.e. a portable ramp
- Clearly signpost where accessibility equipment is kept
- Arrange training to create disability confident staff
- Update your accessibility information online
- Put accessibility information by your entrance for potential customers passing by
Contact Our Team
If you need more advice on the best furniture for your establishment our experts would be happy to help.
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