The Royal Yacht Britannia and Ocean Terminal will be the centre of events taking place this weekend in Edinburgh to encourage those with accessibility problems to try out an accessible bus and get discounted entry. (You have to try out the scones on Britannia!)
Over 200 companies and venues across the UK have pledged their support for Disabled Access Day, a new initiative taking place on January 17th that aims to encourage disabled people, their friends and families to visit somewhere new together.
VisitEngland, VisitScotland, Visit Wales, Standard Life, BT and disabled access review website Euan’s Guide are supporting the day. A number of events, including venue tours and children’s activities, will be taking place and special promotions will be available on the day at venues including Buckingham Palace, The Cutty Sark, and the National Theatre, among others. The Tate Modern will be offering free guided tours specifically for disabled visitors and touch tours for the visually impaired will be available on demand. Free parking will also be available.
Caffè Nero will be offering a complimentary hand crafted coffee at over 150 participating stores across the country in support of the initiative. Free hot drinks and 50% off cakes and afternoon tea will also be available at a selection of Caffe Concerto stores. People taking part will be sent an e-voucher to avail of these promotions after signing up on the Disabled Access Day website.
The flagship event will take place on the Royal Yacht Britannia and at Ocean Terminal in Edinburgh, where visitors can get discounted entry, try an accessible bus and meet assistance dogs & learn about the work they do.
Selected Barclays branches around the UK will also be demonstrating their accessible services, from ‘high vis’ debit cards to Talking ATMs.
Kiki MacDonald, Co-Founder of Euan’s Guide, said: “Promoting good disabled access is at the core of what we do, so this campaign is close to our hearts. By hosting events and offering promotions to visitors on January 17th, all of the partners involved can demonstrate just how important disabled access is to them.”
For more information and for a full list of partners, locations and events, visit www.disabledaccessday.com/.
Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
