Today is Purple Tuesday! This is a day to celebrate and commit to raising awareness, deepening understanding, and coming up with solutions to improve accessibility for our customers and colleagues.
Our recent EDI door-knocking exercise revealed that out of 1033 of you who participated and completed the section about disability, 68% said that you have some form of disability. This is a huge reminder for us that we have a diverse customer base, and we need to think differently to ensure your experience is as inclusive and accessible as possible.
These disabilities range from physical to mental health conditions, each as unique and individual as the person it belongs to. Conditions like osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, anxiety & depression, COPD, epilepsy, and many others. It’s not just about ramps and grab bars; it’s about creating an environment that respects and accommodates every unique need.
Emma Howells, Executive Director of Housing, Communities and Customers says “We’ve been on a journey with our first year of the equality roadmap focusing on disability inclusion. Some of our progress includes achieving the Disability Committed Accreditation, a significant milestone that reflects our commitment to changing the way we think about disability. This accreditation encourages employers to take action in recruiting, retaining, and developing disabled individuals, and we are proud to be part of this movement.”
“Our offices have undergone adaptations, making them more accessible to all. We have introduced features like push-button access, low-level reception areas, gender-neutral toilets, lift improvements, enhanced disabled parking facilities, hearing loops, and specific adaptations to cater to the unique needs of both our customers and colleagues with disabilities.”
Purple Tuesday serves as a reminder to push further for accessibility and inclusion. It’s about fostering a culture that goes beyond compliance; it’s about empathy, understanding, and a genuine commitment to making a difference in the lives of people who rely on us.
If you have any feedback and ideas on how we can improve our services to become more accessible then we’d love to hear from you.
