New Guide For Disability Access In Merton

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Guide to local venues is set for launch

A guide to make it easier for disabled people to get around Merton is being launched later this month.

Merton council has been working in partnership with disability organisation DisabledGo to produce the 500 venue guide which covers Wimbledon, Raynes Park, Mitcham, Colliers Wood and Morden.

Each venue has been surveyed in person by trained DisabledGo surveyors. The team has collated detailed information on a wide range of buildings and venues from across the area, including shops, banks, restaurants, council buildings, public transport and tourist attractions.

The guide will enable people to find out not only whether venues have adapted toilets or parking close by, but also specific details such as whether there are tactile or Braille markings in lifts or on doors, the dimensions of toilets, the positioning of fixtures and fittings and whether they can request information in large print or Braille.

Speaking ahead of the launch on January 22, Merton Council cabinet member for adult social care and health Councillor Linda Kirby said: "This is a great guide which can really help disabled people in Merton in a very practical way. DisabledGo has done such a lot of work to raise awareness about accessibility, and this new guide for Merton is very good news for our disabled residents and visitors."

The DisabledGo-Merton guide as well as being available online at www.disabledgo.com/en/org/Merton-Council will also be available on the 'Looking Local' service, accessed through the red button on digital television. This means those without access to the internet will still be able get the information they need.

January 7, 2013