Whilst The Blue Badge Access Awards are on hold during the Covid 19 Pandemic, you can still nominate your favourite accessible venue for an award, please do so here. We also call on designers and architects to examine and improve the accessibility of buildings when they have time on their hands in ‘lock down’.
Imagine how much you’re looking forward to going out and socialising once restrictions are lifted? You turn up at a restaurant/bar/theatre and even though you’ve been assured there’s access, you’re met with two 3″ steps that your wheelchair can’t negotiate, then to top it all there’s also a ‘Ludicrous (accessible) Loo’…………..Beyond disappointment it’s devastating! You and your friends/family have to go back home and the venue loses the revenue from your aborted visit.
This is something disabled people encounter every day and that’s why the Blue Badge Access Awards want to encourage venues, proprietors and designers to create places accessible for all – exceptional venues that have both accessibility and style.
We’re releasing a number of thought provoking bulletins on accessibility – ‘A View From Inside’ – to spark debate. Bulletin #1 30 March 2020
The Blue Badge Access Awards 2020 – currently in ‘holding’ mode.
‘Capitalise on this moment’ urges, Fiona Jarvis.
The Blue Badge Access Awards – the only dedicated global award scheme promoting stylish accessibility across hotels, restaurants and other venues – is currently in holding mode as we await the outcome of the current situation in relation to Covid-19.
Please rest assured that the Awards will go ahead in due course, and we will announce a revised timetable for nominations, judging and the awards evening as and when this becomes realistic.
In the meantime, Chair of judges and founder of the Blue Badge Access Galleries, Fiona Jarvis, is encouraging hospitality industry bosses, architects and designers, to capitalise on this moment and consider ways in which you can address the current and future needs of disabled people.
“These are the most testing times that anyone in the hospitality industry will have ever experienced. But, when owners, managers, designers, architects, developers have a little more of that other precious commodity – time – I would urge you to devote some of it to considering how you can improve accessibility within your establishment.”
“And, of course, for those that have already addressed accessibility imaginatively and thoughtfully – our Blue Badge Access Awards will go ahead in due course, and we look forward to seeing as many entries as possible. We welcome nominations from members of the public for accessible venues you have encountered; from design professionals for your own designs; and from venue managers and owners who have achieved high accessibility standards or introduced innovations.”