Ten million disabled people from across the UK, including thousands of
disabled people here in Islington, can now use the internet to check access to
hundreds of shops, restaurants, hotels and attractions throughout the
borough.<br><br>Sponsorship by local authorities and Marks & Spencer, the free
internet service, www.DisabledGo.info, is now available at the click of a
mouse.<br><br>DisabledGo was founded by wheelchair user Gregory Burke, who
became frustrated never knowing which public venues would be
accessible.<br><br>Gregory, says: “The constant need to write or telephone to
enquire about access really affects people’s confidence to get out and do what
they want to do. Never knowing whether a building will be accessible or
whether staff will have a helpful attitude makes you think twice before going
out. As a result people can miss out on doing things they want to do and
businesses lose valuable custom.<br><br>DisabledGo addresses this problem by
providing detailed access information which will enable people to judge for
themselves whether a shop, restaurant or theatre is accessible for
them."<br><br>Simply by logging on to DisabledGo, people can check if a pub
offers access for a wheelchair user, a cinema has a hearing loop, a hotel has
adapted rooms, or a restaurant has menus available in large print or Braille.
<br><br>Cllr Laura Willoughby, executive member for communities
said:<br><br>"We want to achieve even more for our borough - an aspiration
encaptured in our 'One Islington' vision, where, whatever their circumstances,
every resident of Islington is able to lead a full, independent life and play
an active role in the diverse communities that make up our borough.
<br><br>This can only be done by the council and its partners pulling together
to provide disabled people and their families with the accessibility
information they need on transport, health, council services as well as
helping them make a choice about where they shop, eat, drink - the activities
which, after all, make Islington so special."<br><br>DisabledGo-Islington is
part of a national accessibility project, joining 14 other launched guides to
cities and areas across the UK, including as York, Kingston, Cardiff,
Brighton, Wandsworth, Edinburgh, and North East Lincolnshire. The project is
being financed through a mixture of support from pioneering local authorities
and national sponsorship from Marks & Spencer. <br><br>
www.disabledgo.info <br><br>ENDS
Page Last Updated: 17 December 2009