News & Events

Braille Is Put On The Menu At The Pub

Helping a pub put its menu into Braille is among the changes Accessible Wales has brought about to help improve facilities for people with disabilities. Richard Jones, has launched Accessible Wales to ensure places like cafes, shops and churches can be used by everyone. He says Hirwaun's Glancynon Inn is one of the few Welsh pubs using Braille.

Managing Director Richard Jones set up the consultancy company after campaigning for years for better awareness of disabled people and their rights. "I think most people with disabilities have experienced discrimination," said Mr Jones, whose company is based at Navigation House, Abercynon, and currently has two support staff. "I have experienced discrimination with access issues. The biggest thing I've had was steps to get into a disabled toilet.

"Most people [who run businesses] are aware of the Disability Discrimination Act but are not aware of what it means to individual people on the street or in a restaurant. Accessible Wales can audit premises and advise if they need to carry out changes."

His company has been running since February but will officially launch on Wednesday at the Glancynon Inn. Following work with Accessible Wales, the pub has added disabled toilets and parking bays, along with the menus for visually impaired people.

Mr Alun Evans, landlord of the pub, said: "My father was a wheelchair user and the number of places I could take him was limited. This is why I felt it was important to create a facility which was accessible to people with and without disabilities."

The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 aims to end the discrimination that many disabled people face. But Mr Jones believes a lot of companies are still not complying with the legislation. "I think it's an ignorance thing," he said. "People don't realise that they don't need to go ripping up their buildings. It could simply be a case of widening a door. As a nation we should be positively encouraging people to make these changes. I hope it will improve the quality of life for people with disabilities. But I also think improving access would improve society in general - for parents with prams and older people, for example."

In a bid to raise the profile of good accessibility for people with disabilities the event is also being sponsored by Cymru Healthcare is a family run company who specialise in the distribution of Medical & Surgical, Hygiene & Janitorial and Capital equipment. The launch was extremely sucessful, Roy Noble was the guest speaker and Mayor Jane Ward also attended. Richard Jones and his team would like to thank all concerned especially those who spoke and Pontypridd Kyokushin Karate Club (a club promoting equal opportunities with members of mixed ability) for their demonstration.

Thanks go to Bandog Media for their excellent photographs. Visit www.bandogmedia.com to get in touch with them.

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