DISABLED ACCESS

An effective partnership between the Broadstone Chamber of Trade, Broadstone Residents Association and Local councillors is forming to improve facilities for the disabled wishing to use all the range of services in this popular shopping centre.

The group is sending out a survey with this magazine that will reach over 3000 households. The questionnaire is seeking information on the number of disabled residents that use Broadstone for various services.

John Noyes, Chairman of the Residents Association, sees this survey as a start in understanding the needs of all residents who may see their disability as a barrier in using local facilities. "We are one of the largest and most active Associations in Poole, " said John, "and will do all we can to help with this project."

By next year anyone who offers access to the public will need to address disabled needs. 2004 is the European 'Year of the Disabled' and the group feel they are forging ahead with a positive view that people with any disability should feel confident that businesses in Broadstone are accommodating to the needs of all customers.

"We are determined," said David Allen, Chairman of the Chamber of Trade & Commerce "to provide a better experience for those using or wishing to use our businesses here in Broadstone but because of a disability find the encounter difficult and in some cases impossible."

To help us establish the scale of the issue, those who have any type of disability themselves or anyone in their family please fill in the survey form.

Archive Winter 2003 | next

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