More than 200 companies and venues give support to Disabled Access Day

Disabled Access Day will take place on Saturday 17 January 2015 and more than 200 companies across the UK have given their support to the new initiative to encourage people living with disabilities and their friends and family members to visit somewhere new.

Nationwide, companies and organisations including BT, Standard Life, VisitEngland, VisitScotland and Visit Wales have pledged their support for the day. The disabled access review website Euan’s Guide are also lending their support to the day to raise awareness of disabled access.

Co-founder of Euan’s Guide, Kiki MacDonald, said: “Promoting good disabled access is at the core of what we do, so this campaign is close to our hearts. By hosting events and offering promotions to visitors on January 17th, all of the partners involved can demonstrate just how important disabled access is to them.”

There are a large number of events scheduled to go ahead including children’s activities, venue tours and other discounts and promotions.

In London, The Houses of Parliament will be offering audio guided tours; The National Theatre will be providing refreshments and the opportunity to drop in and learning about accessibility whilst having the opportunity to go backstage.

The Cutty Sark is to hold its first ever audio described tour as well as British Sign Language version of the tour. There is to be free admission with pre-booked tickets for The Queen’s Gallery located at Buckingham Palace and The Tate Modern is offering free parking with free guided tours for disabled visitors and touch tours for anyone who is visually impaired.

Outside of London in Edinburgh, The Royal Yacht Britannia will host the flagship event and offer discounted admission as well as opportunities to meet Assistance Dogs. The Palace at Holyrood House, National Trust Aberdulais Tinworks and Waterfall, The Queen’s Gallery in Edinburgh, No. 1 Royal Crescent in Bath, St Paul’s Cathedral and the Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre will also participate on the day.

Across the UK, selected branches of Barclays bank will be running demonstrations on their accessible services including ‘high vis’ debit cards and talking cash machines.

Furthermore, coffee shop Caffè Nero is offering complimentary coffee at 150 participating stores to support the initiative and some Caffe Concerto will offer free hot drinks and 50 per cent off cakes and afternoon tea.

For more information, visit: www.disabledaccessday.com