Locals provide accessibility advice to Exeter’s shops

Disabled visitors to Exeter’s shopping areas in Devon are working towards making shops in the area more accessible as part of the Purple Tuesday initiative. The movement’s global day of recognising accessibility across the high street took place in early November.

In Exeter, the Community Equality Disability Action group who provide support to people in the city are offering advice on what changes might need to be made to make shops in Exeter more accessible. The proposals will go alongside the work done by Purple Tuesday to enable a much easier shopping experience.

A local support worker told the BBC: “One of the big things is the inconsistencies from establishment to establishment. We’ll think of going somewhere and its whether they have a ramp, does it work, is it too step? Lifts, sometimes they work, sometimes they don’t and that’s a massive problem.”

Craig Bowden, from Community Equality Disability Action group, said: “By working with city centre businesses to improve access and attitudes, we’re hoping to make Exeter more welcoming for disabled people.”

Purple Tuesday takes place every year and is a global event which looks to highlight accessibility on high streets across the world. Many of Britain’s top brands and supermarkets take part and implement accessibility improvements, such as quiet hours and contrast flooring after speaking to disabled visitors during Purple Tuesday. You can find out more about the initiative and the businesses who take part here. https://purpletuesday.co/