Creating An Accessible Shopping Experience

Conduct an on-site audit for access improvements

Physical barriers can prevent disabled customers from accessing goods and services. Barriers can include steps, stairways, kerbs, exterior surfaces and paving, parking areas, building entrances and exits.  

Please note that the Equalities Act does require service providers such as shops to make reasonable adjustments for the disabled.

Adjustments can include:

• Modular ramps to provide wheelchair access over steps to a front entrance. The product is suitable as a temporary or permanent access solution. 

• Modular steps with yellow tread aids users with impaired vision. The colour yellow is purposely chosen because as a bright colour, it has the ability to reflect light. Therefore, making it easier for the user to see whilst reducing the risk of trips and falls.

• Step lifts can be an option when ramped access is impossible. Lifts provide permanent wheelchair access; however, there not a temporary solution. 

Arrange disability training opportunities for front line staff

Not all disabilities are visible – some are hidden and not immediately obvious, such as learning difficulties, mental health as well as mobility, speech, visual or hearing impairments.  

Training on such conditions can improve staffs’ understanding and confidence when serving different types of shoppers.   

Invest in disabled facilities 

A disabled toilet is recommended to accommodate people with physical disabilities. Individuals with reduced mobility find them useful, as do those with weak legs, as a higher toilet bowl makes it easier for them to stand up.  

Otherwise, a changing unit can assist individuals with more profound and multiple learning  disabilities. As well as a space to give carers the necessary assistance required when moving a patient from a wheelchair to a toilet and changing bed. 

Our ramps and steps can provide wheelchair access to such facilities. >>Click for our changing unit case study<<

What is purple Tuesday? 

Purple Tuesday is about creating a step change improvement in the awareness of the value and needs of disabled customers. It is about making the customer experience accessible.