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Disabled access charity, Euan’s Guide, amplifies the voices of disabled people

Disabled access charity Euan’s Guide is encouraging anyone who has ever had to consider disabled access to share their opinions on accessibility in 2022 in their newly launched access survey. The Euan’s Guide Access Survey supported by Motability Operations Ltd launched in September and covers topics such as toilets and parking, and whether access is generally better or worse in a world living with COVID. This year, the charity also wants to hear from disabled people on the rising cost of living, as well as their preferred methods of transport. Euan’s Guide was founded in 2013 by Euan MacDonald MBE, a powerchair user, and his sister Kiki, after Euan was diagnosed with motor neuron disease in 2003. They discovered that a lack of disabled access made every day experiences stressful and they soon learned that other disabled people faced the same challenges. Euan and Kiki established the disabled access review website EuansGuide.com to provide good quality disabled access information, in the hope that this would inspire confidence and remove the fear of the unknown, and break down barriers of exclusion.

The data gathered from the survey is used to inform Euan’s Guide in their mission to improve accessibility, and the insights from the survey help to shape their work. Last year’s survey included the opinions of over 2400 people, who were primarily disabled people (97%) with the remainder a combination of carers, friends and healthcare professionals. This year, the team at Euan’s Guide hopes to break the record number of responses to reach even more people who want to make the world a more accessible place. The access survey, now in its eighth year, is an extension of this mission.

Euan said: “This survey is extremely important in establishing how disabled people, their families, friends and carers feel about disabled access through their own lived experiences. The survey results inform us on lived experiences of disabled access, the disruption of COVID and how it has affected accessibility, and the current views of disabled people. “We’re delighted to be working with Motability Operations for a second year to amplify the voices and experiences of disabled people. It’s vital that anyone who has had to consider disabled access makes their voice heard by taking our survey, so we can work together to make a difference.” Last year’s survey learned the following from respondents: 92% try to find disabled access information before visiting somewhere new 56% avoid visiting a venue if it has not shared their disabled access information

73% said that they had found information on a venue’s website to be misleading, confusing, or inaccurate 73% had experienced a disappointing trip or had to change plans due to poor accessibility accessible parking and accessible toilets remain a top priority for disabled visitors with 81% and 80% of respondents respectively reporting that they would help improve confidence when visiting new places. Have your say in this year’s Euan’s Guide Access Survey supported by Motability Operations Ltd by visiting

EuansGuide.com/AccessSurvey.

Read some of the recent five-star reviews on EuansGuide.com:

HELMSLEY WALLED GARDENS

“The walled garden is tucked away in the centre of Helmsley. Visitors with blue badges can drive along a narrow track to park immediately outside of the walled garden. Blue badge parking may be booked in advance, but we had no difficulty finding a good parking space. The staff and volunteers were courteous and friendly. There is a large volunteer community looking after the garden and growing produce to be sold in the shop, or used in the restaurant. There are support workers and programmes designed to support members of the community with mental health issues. The garden is a beautiful tranquil space in the centre of this pretty busy market town. The shop, restaurant, toilet facilities and garden are all fully accessible by wheelchair. The restaurant is in the old vine house within the garden. There are lots of outside tables which would be accessible. We wanted to dine inside. The ramp into the restaurant was fine, with the disabled toilet just inside the door. When we first arrived at the garden, I explained to the restaurant staff that we would like wheelchair access to a table, and the table was reserved for us, even though they do not usually accept advance booking. Just outside the walled garden there are some interesting craft workshops. The historical setting means that these are not accessible for wheelchair users, but the staff were happy for me to take items to the door for approval.”

Photo: Adam Sommerville Photo: ©Matt Cornock @flickr

NETHERURD GARDEN HOUSE

“We booked a few nights in a one-bedroom apartment in Netherurd and had a great holiday. The staff are very friendly and helped make our stay even more enjoyable. There are eighteen apartments in total, four of which are one-bedroom apartments, two are adaptable interconnecting rooms with electric hoists and rise and fall beds, the rest are spacious studios. All accommodation is wheelchair accessible with lots of turning space and a sizeable wet room shower. All have a small kitchen area and there is access to a larger kitchen and washing facility on each wing. There is good Wi-Fi and TV but my favourite pastime was enjoying the stunning views and the huge enclosed garden which is also wheelchair accessible. Netherurd is set in a convenient location for visits to Peebles which has some really good restaurants and cafes as well as a lovely riverside walk. Biggar is also close by and a nice place to visit for an afternoon but the Netherurd estate has lots of scope for gentle walks without having to use the car. Unlike many self-catering facilities you can book just one night or two or longer if you wish. I would highly recommend this facility.” Visit EuansGuide.com to write a review of somewhere you have been recently and help share accessibility information with the disabled community.