Disability Issues

One and All is supportive of all people with disabilities both working within the Industry and as customers of it. We are conscious that disability can take many forms, from using wheelchairs to impairment of hearing and sight to mental issues. Over time we intend to produce case studies of people within the Industry who have particular disabilities and who have still thrived within it.

Catering for disabled people

A particular point that we strongly believe in is that providing good customer service and adopting best practice for disabled people is not just the right thing to do but also makes good business sense given that this has become an increasingly important segment of the market:

Disabled consumers are a significant but poorly addressed market worth £80 billion p.a.
For an average business disabled customers may account for up to 20% of the customer base
A survey of disabled consumers’ buying patterns revealed that a staggering proportion, 83%, had to take their custom elsewhere, to a more accessible competitor

Bullet points are from 2012 Legacy for Disabled People report published by BIS

Much commentary on the Disabled market focuses on statutory obligations and the practical difficulties of, for instance, providing wheel chair access. However the disabled market is a large and diverse market and in the UK only 8% of disabled people use a wheelchair. Disability covers sight and hearing impairment as well as other issues such as dyslexia.

One and All is particularly focussed on encouraging businesses to implement reasonable adjustments and cost effective measures to assist the disabled customer, such as preparing comprehensive Access Statements and displaying them prominently on web sites.

In addition as the 2012 London Olympics and Paralympics come ever closer One and All will publicise disability information relating to the Games as these aim to be the most disability friendly ever. Read more here.

One and All is proud to be involved in the DCMS Accessibility Stakeholder Forum working to increase accessibility across the country.

The Bridge School, Islington

Earlier this year One and All was privileged to be involved in an event at The Bridge School a community special school in Islington, North London, which caters for pupils with autistic spectrum disorders, severe learning difficulties and profound and multiple learning difficulties. The team that managed the event were drawn from EP Evolution who all got back to the floor to provide the catering for an important event for the school. Everyone involved would say that not only did we receive a great welcome from the school but that it was a humbling and rewarding experience. It certainly served to remind all of us just how fortunate many of us are. However, we could only achieve this with the support of three very special sponsors and supporters in Caterlink, Baxter Storey and The Santello Group. Photos from the event here.

Catering for disabled people

The Bridge School, Islington

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