Euan's Guide amplifies the voices of disabled people

PRESS RELEASE Monday 26 September 2022

The UK’s largest access survey provides an opportunity for disabled people to have their say on accessibility

Disabled people are being encouraged to have their say on disabled access by completing the Euan's Guide Access Survey Supported by Motability Operations Ltd. The 2022 survey goes live on Monday 26 September, launching in association with Motability Operations UK. 

Disabled access charity Euan’s Guide is asking anyone who has ever had to consider disabled access to share their opinions on accessibility in 2022 by taking the survey. This is the eighth survey and covers topics such as toilets, parking and asks if access is generally better or worse in a world living with Covid. This year, the rising cost of living is included. 

The data gathered from the survey is used to inform Euan’s Guide in their mission to improve accessibility, and the insights from the survey help to shape their work. Last year’s survey included the opinions of over 2400 people, who were primarily disabled people (97%) with the remainder a combination of carers, friends and healthcare professionals. This year, the team at Euan’s Guide hopes to break the record number of responses to reach even more people who want to make the world a more accessible place.

In 2021, Access Survey respondents reported:

• 92% try to find disabled access information before visiting somewhere new
• 56% avoid visiting a venue if it has not shared its disabled access information
• 73% said that they had found information on a venue’s website to be misleading, confusing or inaccurate 
• 73% had experienced a disappointing trip or had to change plans due to poor accessibility
• And accessible parking and accessible toilets remain a top priority for disabled visitors with 81% and 80% of respondents respectively reporting that they would help improve confidence when visiting new places.

Euan’s Guide was founded in 2013 by Euan MacDonald MBE, a powerchair user, and his sister Kiki after Euan was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease in 2003. They found that a lack of disabled access made everyday experiences stressful and they soon learned that other disabled people faced the same challenges. Being able to find access good quality disabled access information inspires confidence and removes the fear of the unknown, breaking down barriers of exclusion, which is why Euan and Kiki established the disabled access review website EuansGuide.com.

Euan MacDonald said: “This survey is extremely important in establishing how disabled people, their families, friends and carers feel about disabled access through their own lived experiences. The survey results inform us on the disruption of Covid and how it has affected accessibility, asking whether the pandemic has pushed back progress. 

“We’re delighted to be working with Motability Operations for a second year to amplify the voices and experiences of disabled people. It’s vital that anyone who has had to consider disabled access makes their voice heard by taking our Access Survey, so we can work together to make a difference.”

Andrew Miller, CEO, Motability Operations, said: “We’re excited to help launch this year’s Access Survey, and to build on our support for another year. It’s such an important source of valuable data which can really help to inform and inspire positive change for our customers and other people with disabilities across the UK. We’re looking forward to seeing the results in the new year.”

The survey can be found online at www.euansguide.com/AccessSurvey

-ENDS-

Notes to editors

For further information please contact Antonia Lee-Bapty, Managing Director at antonia@euansguide.com or Christina Miller, Communications Manager at christina.miller@euansguide.com. Alternatively, call 0131 510 5106.

Euan’s Guide

Euan’s Guide is the award-winning disabled access charity. They’re best known for EuansGuide.com, the disabled access review website where disabled people, their family, friends and carers can find and share reviews on the accessibility of venues around the UK and beyond. The website now holds thousands of reviews and is an invaluable tool for many disabled people. They also make tens of thousands of accessible toilets safer through the Red Cord Card scheme, as well as running the UK’s largest and longest running Access Survey.

www.EuansGuide.com

Find Euan’s Guide on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @EuansGuide

About Motability Operations and the Motability Scheme:

The Motability Scheme is the UK’s leading car scheme for disabled people. It provides affordable, convenient, worry-free motoring to over 630,000 disabled customers and their families. Scooters and powered wheelchairs can also be leased through the Motability Scheme. 

The Scheme is available to anyone who receives the Higher Rate Mobility Component of the Disability Living Allowance, the Enhanced Rate of the Mobility Component of Personal Independence Payment or the War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement or the Armed Forces Independence Payment. Customers transfer their mobility allowance to Motability Operations Ltd to lease a car, scooter or powered wheelchair. 

When leasing a Motability Scheme car, insurance for three named drivers, servicing and maintenance, full RAC breakdown assistance, tyre and windscreen replacement and 60,000 mileage allowance over three years are all included in the cost of the lease. A range of popular car adaptations are also available at no additional cost. 

When leasing a scooter or powered wheelchair, insurance, breakdown assistance, servicing, maintenance and repairs and tyre and battery replacement are all included in the cost of the lease. Pricing is standard nationwide. 

A wide range of ‘green’ vehicles with emissions of 100g of CO2 per km or less are available through the Scheme. 

Motability is a Registered Charity in England and Wales (number 299745) and a Registered Charity in Scotland (number SC050642) and is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (reference number 736309). Motability provides a range of grants to individuals and organisations, including Scheme customers, who would otherwise be unable to afford the mobility solution they need. 

 Motability Operations Ltd is an independent company that operates the Motability Scheme under contract to Motability (the charity). Any profits are non-distributable and are reinvested or donated for the benefit of disabled people. Motability Operations Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority under reference number 735390.

Tags: press releases, The Access Survey, 2022