Can you afford to turn away paying guests?

The National Assessible Scheme (NAS) joining fee has now been waived for 2010 / 2011 for members of the VisitEngland Quality Scheme. 

Even if your business has steps to the front door or no ground floor bedrooms, there are easy things you can do to ensure your business is as accessible as possible.

For a small fee payable only once every three years, the National accessible Scheme (NAS) can benchmark your level of accessibility against national standards and award appropriate ratings for mobility and/or hearing and/or visual impairments.

Over one quarter (27.2%) of the UK population have a long-standing health problem or disability - consider their needs now to reap the financial rewards.

It's not all about wheelchairs....

Hearing

Do your TVs have subtitles? Would you be willing to purchase a vibrating alarm clock for one of your bedrooms (from £8)? If so, you are part of the way towards increasing your appeal to the 8.7 million people in the UK with a hearing impairment.

Visual

Is your signage clear? Are you willing to provide your property/room information or menus in a large size font? If so, there are 2 million people in the UK with visual impairments who could benefit.

Mobility

‘One step ahead', the entry level Mobility standard, highlights your business as being particularly suitable for older and less mobile guests. Clutter-free rooms and hallways are welcomed by all guests, particularly those who are older, have arthritis or are using crutches.

There are many other benefits too joining the scheme too:

• Receive tips and advice from a specialist assessor
• ‘Stand out from the crowd' by using the scheme logo(s) in your marketing
• Increase your business' exposure through becoming searchable by accessibility rating on enjoyengland.com and visitbritain.com and be listed in the next available edition of the OpenBritain official guide book.
• This assessment can also act as an audit to help pinpoint the things you can do in the future.  

To find out more, click here.

Date added: Wednesday 28th April 2010
Latest updated: Thursday 8th March 2012