Open up seaside resorts to become more inclusive and woo the purple pound – says Minister for Disabled People
Seaside resorts across England urged to open up their beaches to disabled people and benefit from the purple pound worth £80 billion a year.
As the tourist season reaches its peak, seaside resorts across England are being urged to open up their beaches to disabled people and benefit from the purple pound worth £80 billion a year.
As almost 20% of the UK population is disabled (around 11.5 million), the Minister for Disabled People is writing to local authorities to ask them to ensure that tourist hotspots including beaches and the countryside are accessible to all of the population.
Councils are encouraged to improve inclusivity and accessibility by working with local grassroots organisations through the ‘Disability Action Alliance’. The Alliance was set up by government and brings together over 180 organisations from the public, private and third sector who want to work in partnership to improve the lives of disabled people.
Minister for Disabled People, Esther McVey said:
As well as the importance of equal access, it makes good business sense to ensure – as the tourist season reaches its peak – local areas of beauty and interest can attract as many people as possible.
The ‘purple pound’ is worth £80 billion a year, councils can benefit by tapping into this when considering how to make their local environment more inclusive by opening up our beaches and other tourist hotspots for everyone to enjoy.
Often a small change can make a big difference to disability access and so we’d encourage councils to continue working in partnership with disabled people and their organisations, as they know what works best in their local areas on the ground.
There are already successful schemes in place. Disability Action Alliance member Living Options Devon, operates the Countryside Mobility scheme which aims to improve access to the countryside for people with limited mobility who live in or visit the south-west region.
They provide all-terrain mobility scooters and wheelchair accessible ‘Wheelyboats’. The scooters can go up and down slopes, over bumps and tree roots, through shallow puddles, mud and soft ground. Wheelyboats allow up to 5 wheelchair users at a time to get out on the water for fishing or pleasure boating. The scheme operates across more than 30 countryside locations throughout Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire and Somerset – with more to follow.
James Maben from Living Options Devon said:
It’s impossible to describe the feeling of suddenly having the ability and freedom to go into the countryside again. And with the unusually warm weather this year we have never been busier. Opening up access means disabled people suddenly have independence again to explore and enjoy the countryside, which is truly amazing.
At the government’s disability conference in July, the Prime Minister, David Cameron, outlined his ambitions for an inclusive Britain. He referred to his experiences of bringing up a disabled child and the need to make sure our beaches are more disabled-friendly.
More information
The Disability Action Alliance has been set up to bring disabled people’s organisations together with organisations from the public, private and third sector – to work together to deliver actions and improve the lives of disabled people.
You can find suggestions of possible funding streams to support Disability Action Alliance members to take forward actions on the Disability Action Alliance website.
Countryside Mobility is being developed through a partnership between organisations that manage countryside sites across the region including:
- Cornwall AONB Service
- Devon County Council
- Exmoor National Park Authority
- Gloucestershire County Council
- Dorset County Council
- The Forestry Commission
- Tamar Valley AONB Service
- Royal Horticultural Society
- South West Lakes Trust
- The Wheelyboat Trust
- The RSPB
- The National Trust
Full details about Countryside Mobility and a list of where Trampers are available can be found on the Countryside Mobility website or by calling 01392 459 222.
The Trampers can go up and down slopes, over bumps and tree roots, through shallow puddles, mud and soft ground and are for use by anyone aged 14 or over who has a permanent or temporary condition that affects their ability to walk. With a top speed of 4 miles an hour they can keep pace with the briskest walking companion. Wheelyboats can take up to 5 wheelchair passengers and are popular with anglers and groups wishing to get closer to nature out on the water.
The disability ‘purple pound’ is worth £80 billion to the GB economy, and 1 in 5 customers is likely to be disabled. The previous Minister for Disabled People, Maria Miller MP launched a guide for small and medium sized businesses in August 2012 about taking advantage of this.
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