Liberate access scheme helps Jersey businesses become more disability-friendly

Inside a Coop shop
From 1 September, new discrimination laws will bring the island in line with the UK to include disability - alongside things like race, age and gender - to provide better protection for both staff and customers. Credit: ITV Channel TV

Businesses in Jersey have just one more week to make their premises more accessible for people with disabilities. From 1 September, new discrimination laws will bring the island in line with the UK to include disability - alongside things like race, age and gender - to provide better protection for both staff and customers. The charity Liberate has been helping companies prepare by offering training through its Accès scheme.

A group of Accessibility Ambassadors, with different disabilities, have also been acting as mystery shoppers, to give feedback on what changes should be made.

Anthony Lewis is one of Liberate's Accessibility Ambassadors. Credit: ITV Channel TV

The Channel Islands Co-Operative was the first company to sign up to the scheme.

Once they have passed all the relevant criteria, businesses will receive a kitemark (pictured below) to put up in their windows, so customers can see they have demonstrated a commitment to disability access and inclusion.

Businesses will receive this badge in their windows once they receive accreditation. Credit: Liberate

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