UK’S LARGEST DISABLED ACCESS SURVEY LAUNCHES

Following the finding that nearly 80% of disabled people have had a trip spoiled by poor access, Euan’s Guide launches its 2024 Access Survey to uncover the state of UK disabled access 

For the tenth year, disabled people are being encouraged to have their say on disabled access by completing the Euan’s Guide Access Survey Supported by Motability Operations. The 2024 survey was launched in association with Motability Operations at The Big Event in Edinburgh, the charity’s home town. 

The award-winning charity is committed to continuing the legacy of its founder, Euan MacDonald MBE, who passed away after a 20-year fight with Motor Neuron Disease last month, aged 50, in August.  

Last year, the Access Survey found that of the 6,000+ respondents: 

• 91% try to find disabled access information before visiting a new place 

• 79% have experienced a disappointing trip or have had to change plans due to poor accessibility 

• 77% are more likely to visit somewhere new if they can find relevant access information 

• 76% found accessibility information on a venue’s website to be misleading, confusing or inaccurate 

• 59% avoid going to a venue if it has not shared its access information because they assume it’s inaccessible 

Euan’s Guide needs even more people to have their say in the 2024 Access Survey so they can continue their mission to improve accessibility by working to make it easier, safer and more rewarding for disabled people, their friends, families and carers to find and visit accessible places.  

2024 marks a decade of the Access Survey and, in Euan’s honour, Euan’s Guide is asking anyone who has ever had to consider disabled access to share their opinions on accessibility by taking what is the UK’s largest access survey.  

As well as general disabled access, the survey covers topics such as accessible toilets and parking, the new government, tech, and public and private transport. The data and insights from the survey help to shape the charity’s work around amplifying the voices and experiences of disabled people.  

Kiki MacDonald, Euan’s sister and co-founder of Euan’s Guide, said: 

“The Access Survey is extremely important in establishing how disabled people, their families, friends and carers feel about disabled access through their own lived experiences, and in gathering vital data on what disabled access is actually like in real life. 

“Last year we heard from our community that 91% try to find disabled access information before visiting a new place, and over half will avoid going to a venue if it has not shared its disabled access information because they assume it’s inaccessible. Venues, businesses and organisations must share their disabled access information so that disabled people can plan their travel and visits as easily and as stress-free as possible.  

“However, despite the importance of accurate and up-to-date disabled access information, 76% of last year’s survey respondents said they’ve found accessibility information on a venue’s website to be misleading, confusing or inaccurate, with 79% saying they’ve experienced a disappointing trip or had to change plans due to poor accessibility. This is unacceptable – it excludes and undervalues disabled people and we want to change that. We want to hear from the disabled community in this year’s survey to find out if they feel the same way about disabled access in 2024. 

“We’re delighted to be partnering with Motability Operations again this year to amplify the voices and experiences of disabled people. Anyone who has had to consider disabled access, please make your voice heard by taking our 2024 Access Survey so we can continue to work together to make a positive difference in the lives of disabled people.” 

Andrew Miller, Chief Executive of Motability Operations said:  

“The Euan’s Guide Access Survey plays a crucial role in understanding the experiences of disabled people and highlights where improvements can be made, which is why I’m proud to continue our support of this vital work.  

“Euan’s work made the world a more accessible place for disabled people and, in the tenth year of the survey, we’re encouraging people to have their say in the UK’s largest access survey. 

“I encourage anyone who has ever had to consider disabled access to share their views and help shape a future where accessibility is no longer a barrier.” 

Euan’s Guide was founded in 2013 by the late Euan MacDonald MBE, a powerchair user, and his sister Kiki after Euan was diagnosed with Motor Neuron Disease in 2003. They found that a lack of disabled access made everyday experiences stressful and they soon learned that other disabled people faced the same challenges. Euan and Kiki set up EuansGuide.com as a place for disabled people to find and share disabled access information. The website has tens of thousands of visitors each month and the charity has made over 125,000 accessible toilets safer through its Red Cord Card scheme. 

The survey can be found online at www.EuansGuide.com/AccessSurvey #AccessSurvey