The Blue Badge Access Awards (BBAAs), celebrates exceptional venues, people and organisations that have a thoughtful, innovative, design-led approach to accessibility.

The BBAAs are back for 2023/24 and we want to reward those that have gone above and beyond in their mission to achieve Access for All. A global initiative rewarding venues, people and organisations that share our ambition and enthusiasm of greater recognition of accessibility for all disabilities – physical and cognitive. Here’s why………..

Did you know that according to Purple Tuesday UK pubs/restaurants loose £163m/month by not including disabled people, their friends and family. Similarly, UK tourism by disabled people is £15BN with an average stay a third longer and a loyalty factor of 75%. So why not improve accessibility?

We are supported by high-profile names including Baroness of Winchester Celia Thomas, Lord Borwick, Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson and TV personality Sophie Morgan as well as corporate supporters of Microsoft, HEWI, Inst. of Hospitality, Conran + Partners and RIBA.

BBAA Supporters – Sophie Morgan, Ch4 Presenter & Disability Advocate, Ed Warner Government Ambassador for Inclusive Product Design

Motionspot Previous Disabled Guest Design Winners Had Their Concept Realised at Hotel Brooklyn With a Hoist Incorporated Into The Ceiling Light & a Glamorous Bathroom

“Our mission is to make the hotel/restaurant experience more joyful and inclusive for both disabled and non-disabled guests by encouraging designs that re-imagine places of beauty and practicality for everyone, whether physically or cognitively disabled.”

This year we are excited to announce that we have a £20k Prize Fund for:

Best Disabled Guest Innovation – this can be a concept or something that exists and is open to anyone.
Best Inclusive, Conceptual Design for Disabled Guests – this open to designers, architects, product & system designers.

If you want to enter or simply nominate contact us through the website or by mail to info@bluebadgeaccessawards.com

The BBAAward nomination categories are:

Best Bar
Best Restaurant
Best Boutique Hotel
Best Luxury Hotel
Best Venue in a Listed/Historic Building
Above & Beyond Inst. of Hospitality Award
Access Champion of The Year
Employment Initiative
Most Inclusive Venue/Organisation
Best Accessible Toilet
Ludicrous Loo – Lack of accessibility

It should be remembered that nowhere is 100% accessible to everyone so you don’t need to be perfect and you can nominate people, venues or organisations. The final is in October 2023 at a glamorous ceremony in London (details TBA so keep following us for the latest details).