THE impact of the pandemic on disabled access is going to be the key focus of the 2021 Euan’s Guide Access Survey, the UK’s largest and longest-running survey of its kind. The survey, running in autumn 2021, will attempt to discover how lockdowns and COVID measures have impacted those with accessibility requirements.
For the first time, the survey will be supported by Motability Operations, the company behind the Motability Scheme. The Motability Scheme supports disabled people in achieving greater independence and everyday freedom through access to affordable, worry-free mobility. The organisations are uniting to ask everyone who has ever had to consider disabled access to share their opinion on accessibility in 2021. And with all the changes in this post-lockdown world, it’s more crucial than ever that people take part this year.
The survey has previously found that respondents rate historic castles as more accessible than pubs, 93% of respondents try to find disabled-access information before they visit somewhere new, and 79% of respondents have had to change their plans at the last minute because of poor accessibility.
Euan MacDonald, co-founder of Euan’s Guide, said:
“2020-21 has been a massive period of disruption for everyone, but it is particularly affecting disabled people, their friends, families and carers. From extended periods of shielding through to COVID-measures that make access more complicated, the pandemic has potentially pushed back the progress of accessibility by years.
“Our Access Survey asks people for their views of disabled access at all types of venues, from restaurants to theatres to stations to shops and many more. This will be the seventh year of the survey, and we feel it is important to find out how the pandemic impacts accessibility.
“It is fantastic to have support from Motability Operations, and we look forward to hearing the views and opinions of their customers. We hope that this is just the start of a great partnership to amplify the voices and experiences of disabled people and their friends, families and carers.”
Delia Ray, Head of Marketing at Motability Operations, said:
“Like Euan’s Guide, we are great believers in the benefits of getting out and about, which is why we’re putting our support behind this year’s Access Survey. We hope our customers will enjoy sharing their thoughts and feedback to help venues enhance their accessibility, especially as the country begins to open up after the challenges of Covid-19.”
The Euan’s Guide Access Survey supported by Motability Operations will launch in the autumn, capturing the opinions of disabled people, their friends, families, and carers on disabled access across the UK. To learn more and register your interest, please visit: www.EuansGuide.com/AccessSurvey.
