British retailer Marks & Spencer has published 'DisabledGo' access guides on its website, highlighting accessibility options at stores across the country.
DisabledGo is a social enterprise which helps people with disabilities find out more information about the accessibility of certain venues, in order 'to maximise [their] independence and choice'.
A team of 50 DisabledGo experts traveled to hundreds of stores in Britain, analysing the level of accessibility at 590 company stores.
The guides detail such amenities as lighting levels, accessible parking spaces, and availability of hearing loops. Shoppers can search for their preferred store on the M&S Store Locator page to find out what accessibility options it offers.
'The guides are designed to help the UK’s 12 million disabled people to shop on high streets, in shopping centres and at retail parks.
'With every owned M&S store now listed, enjoying a coffee in the café with friends, purchasing a new suit or picking up a Friday night Dine In is now easier for anyone who may have an access requirement,' the company said in a statement.
Gregory Burke, founder of DisabledGo said, "M&S has some of the most accessible shops on the high street, but we know that disabled people don’t always know what this will mean for them when they visit their local store".
"The spending power of disabled people rose to £249bn and it’s exciting to see one of the UK’s biggest retailers acknowledge the rise and the power of the purple pound."
The company creates the guides with the help of thousands of people with disabilities and their carers.
© 2017 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Karen Henderson. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine.
