Member Article

Access all areas for Tyneside company

A North Tyneside web based company is aiming to encourage millions of businesses to become more user-friendly and accessible to those with disabilities. North East entrepreneurs Steve Wilkinson and Nancy Haughey have launched findingways.co.uk to encourage businesses to accommodate those with disabilities and attract custom from a much wider market.

Born with Spina Bifida, Steve, from Kingston Park, is a wheelchair user and has first-hand experience of the often poor accessibility of public services and places that non-disabled people take for granted. Steve envisages that the site will not only attract interest from those with disabilities but also from elderly people and parents of young children using prams and pushchairs who have an interest in accessibility.

The site provides visitors with detailed information about the accessibility of public venues and facilities across the UK and allows them to submit reviews and share personal experiences with others online.

Nancy said: “Our research has shown that there is a clear demand for a comprehensive, honest and genuinely useful online directory of accessible restaurants, cafes, pubs, clubs, hotels, shops, museums, entertainment attractions and other public buildings so people can plan trips in advance. “The business is essentially about making people aware and changing the culture around accessibility. Whilst many of our regular visitors will be disabled, elderly or parents with prams and pushchairs, we believe that our online database will be genuinely useful for all.”

Nancy and Steve anticipate that companies that take the time to list themselves on the directory will raise awareness about their business and improve their image by being seen as inclusive and access-friendly.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .