Access Eastbourne is a a great idea – which is why I am posting here – as I would be interested to know what people with disabilities think of it and what else is available in other places of a similar nature – if any.
The East Sussex Disability Association (ESDA) with huge support (and some funding) from the Liberal Democrat Council in Eastbourne have set up a website to advise those coming to Eastbourne and those living there what the facilities are for someone with disabilites at restaurants, hotels, etc. You can see the site here.
It’s a kind of disabilities trip adviser.
ESDA train reviewers in how to assess places – and then the reviewers review. It was only launched last October but is growing fast in terms of the numbers of places now reviewed. Access Eastbourne only do positive reviews – so that if a restaurant is not accessible it won’t find itself on the website at all. The information contains all the facts about loops, ramps, etc – and then there is a comment facility so that people who have gone there can post their experience of the establishment in terms of its access for people with disabilities. Of course – those comments can be negative or positive – that’s the beauty of this scheme.
Moreover, it is having an encouraging effect on those establishments next door a reviewed restaurant – for example – who note that x restaurant is getting more trade (and there are nine million people with disabilities in this country). The reviewers will go visit then if requested and advise why they can’t be included – for example no ramp access. Said venue then installs the necessary facilities to qualify – and so another establishment then becomes accessible.
It really is win win!
Lynne Featherstone 
sounds quite similar to ‘disabled go’ which provides access info for quite a few different places across uk. Looks like this is more extensive, local oriented and with ability to review though which does sound like a positive in encouraging local businesses to become accessible.
Lynne
I am disabled due to the effects of a terminal illness.
Whilst this sounds like a nice idea, the reality for me is that I’m too sick to go too far.
What’s more, I simply don’t have the money for these types of activities. Need I remind you that your government’s spending review specifically targeted the disabled for cuts. Any spare money I have has to be saved because god knows what’s going to happen when I get re-assessed by a company that seems to assess on the basis of government-provided cash incentives above anything else.
What planet are you on, do you really think the disabled are in the market for luxuries? Only a fool or a politician could be so ignorant.