Monday 12 February 2018

BC Disabled People Access Certificate Petition

FROM:  SIMON GREEN (Chair, Bridgend Coalition of Disabled People)

‘Scores on the Doors’ petition
I am messaging to inform you all of a petition put together by members of Bridgend Coalition of Disabled People which has already picked up almost 1,900 online signatures and many more on paper and we would love your support.

As Chair of BCDP and a Board Member with Disability Wales I am delighted our petition has been given the go ahead by the Welsh Assembly and will hopefully encourage premises across Wales to improve access for customers with disabilities.

A couple of months ago members came up with an idea of a petition calling for premises in Wales to be awarded an Access Certificate similar to the Food Hygiene Certificate with premises displaying a sign from 0 to 5 depending how accessible and disabled friendly they are. Getting a high number would not just be about wheelchair access, we also want to look at improving services for those with learning disabilities and sensory impairments.

The Food Hygiene Certificate has encouraged eating establishments to improve the cleanliness of their food preparation. We believe that if premises were awarded high numbers for having a wheelchair accessible building, accessible toilets, changing place facilities, hearing loops, braille or large print menus, staff using sign language and staff trained in Disability Equality and Autism Awareness it would encourage them to improve and give better services to all disabled customers.

You could get high numbers for having all or some of the above with extra symbols below number to show which services premises offer. For example signs to show building contains a wheelchair accessible toilet and a braille menu.

We would love it if you could sign petition by going to the link below. Link also gives more info on our idea and how it will work. Please also feel free so share link amongst colleagues, members, friends and family. I will also happily email you a copy of the paper certificate if you wish.

If we get 5,000 to sign it will result in a full debate in the Senedd on the issue. 

The Food Hygiene Certificate in Wales was voluntary when first introduced, but is now mandatory! If our petition is successful then it will only be voluntary to begin with, but could still encourage people to improve the services they offer and make more of an effort to be accessible for all.

We have had backing from all political parties in Wales and last week Suzy Davies AM tabled a short debate in the Senedd which was received extremely well. The idea has also featured on BBC and ITV Wales News over last month.

Although the Petition originated in Bridgend area, if a success we firmly believe it will benefit disabled people across Wales, and hopefully one day across the UK and we would love to have the support and backing of your organisation.

So please take a look at link below and we hope you sign and share. Also please feel free to get in touch if you have any questions, queries or criticisms.

Thanks, SIMON GREEN (Chair, Bridgend Coalition of Disabled People) 07719 889364

https://www.assembly.wales/en/gethome/e-petitions/Pages/petitiondetail.aspx?PetitionID=1273

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