New online guide will make Hartlepool more accessible

Produced by national access guide organisation AccessAble in partnership with Hartlepool Borough Council, the guide has been designed to enable people with disabilities to make independent and informed decisions when deciding where to go out.

The Hartlepool guide contains information on scores of locations including tourist attractions, shops, council buildings, cafes, restaurants and entertainment venues, and more are being added all the time.

There’s detailed information on everything from doors, level access and lifts to toilets, lighting levels, car parking and even background music. Every piece of information is included because someone with a disability has suggested it would be useful for them to know that before they go somewhere.

The new guide was launched at a special event at Hartlepool’s Centre for Independent Living.

David Livermore, Councillor Kevin Cranney and Councillor Stephen Thomas at the launch of the online Hartlepool access guide

David Livermore, AccessAble Director, said: “One in four UK households are affected by disability. Our recent survey found that 98% of disabled people are more likely to visit a venue if there’s information available about its accessibility and 76% said they wouldn’t visit a place if that information wasn’t available.

“The guide will provide the detailed information needed to enable disabled people to access the places they want to go and to get the best experience that Hartlepool can offer.”

Councillor Stephen Thomas, Chair of the Council’s Adult and Community-Based Services Committee, said: “It’s a terrible situation if you can’t get out and socialise because you can’t find out whether a venue meets your access needs.

“This initiative is helping to break down that barrier. I very much welcome our new partnership with AccessAble and look forward to Hartlepool becoming a much more accessible place for everyone.”

Councillor Kevin Cranney, Chair of the Council’s Regeneration Services Committee, said: “Our aim is to make Hartlepool as accessible as possible, for local people and visitors alike.

“Tourism is worth about £160m to Hartlepool each year and I warmly welcome initiatives like this which will make it easier for people with disabilities to visit our town and enjoy their stay to the full.”

For more information visit www.accessable.co.uk/organisations/hartlepool-borough-council