We are delighted to have been appointed by VisitScotland as the national provider of quality-assured accessibility information. This forms part of a range of new measures by VisitScotland to transform Scotland into an accessible visitor destination.

Earlier this year, we launched the Your Accessibility Guide portal. Now, we’re thrilled to announce support from VisitScotland, who will be promoting the portal as their recommended route for tourism and hospitality businesses to provide quality assured accessibility information.

Our online system, the ‘Your Accessibility Guide’ portal aims to provide a streamlined approach for Scottish tourism venues and destinations to promote their accessibility experience. They can achieve this by obtaining a Detailed Access Guide from our team of trained surveyors.

Businesses in Scotland can use the portal to discover the importance of having a Detailed Access Guide, the assessment process and types available as well as request a bespoke quotation.

Harnessing video technology, the portal also offers the opportunity for businesses to book an online Guided Assessment. A fantastic new resource, designed to deliver quality-assured Detailed Access Guides at low-cost.

The appointment builds on our work to create Detailed Access Guides to businesses across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, Edinburgh and Lothians, Fife, Dundee and Angus, and South of Scotland. Our team will also be running a Disability Essentials online course to give hospitality staff confidence in their engagement with disabled people.

We’re excited to help tourism businesses in Scotland to:

• serve existing customers better
• reach new customers
• prioritise accessibility and inclusivity
• ensure more venues can access the £14.6 billion Tourism Purple Pound

Marina Di Duca, Inclusive Tourism Manager at VisitScotland, said:

“Inclusive tourism is a hugely valuable market and a key part of VisitScotland’s responsible tourism strategy. More than that, it is vitally important tourism and events are accessible and inclusive, so that we can be sure to extend the same warm welcome to all visitors and help them create special memories.

“The latest Scotland Visitor Survey shows that while the majority of visitors with access requirements find it easy to get around Scotland there are clear areas for improvement. A simple and effective way our industry can engage with disabled customers is providing clear, detailed, and easy to access product information, such as a Detailed Access Guide.

“Tourism offers so many rewarding experiences which we want to be accessible to everyone and our resources aim to provide a starting point for businesses to understand and adapt to meet the needs of this valuable market.”

Dr Gregory Burke, Founder and Executive Chair of AccessAble, said:

“We are thrilled to continue our work with VisitScotland, supporting their journey to develop Scotland as an inclusive tourism destination. We know access begins online, so having detailed information that people can trust is an essential part of this work.

“We have invested in the Your Accessibility Guide portal and Guided Assessment in direct response to feedback from disabled people and SMEs.

“We believe that we can deliver a step change in the provision of quality assured accessibility information across Scotland. By working collaboratively with tourism businesses, we want to enable more disabled people to discover all the wonders Scotland has to offer.”

Visit the portal at https://visitscotland.youraccessibilityguide.co.uk/ to find out more.