THE East Hampshire Access to Areas awards have been launched. The awards, set to take place next April, celebrate organisations which take positive action to improve access for disabled people. They were launched at the Master Robert pub in Buriton. The scheme, now in its second year, promotes equal opportunities for everyone who wants to use local products and services. And business and voluntary groups are being urged to nominate themselves for an award. And people in and around Petersfield can nominate organisations which they think take steps to ensure their products and services are easily accessible. Iain Speed, project leader and chairman of the Access to Service Awards steering group, said: "One in eight of us in the UK has a disability. "Many contribute to the economy by doing busy and demanding jobs, and all are customers using a wide range of products and services. "It makes sense for businesses and service providers to try to win some of that spending power – around £50m a year – by doing all they can to be as inclusive as possible. "The Access to Service Awards will celebrate small, inexpensive measures to improve access, as well as major works. The project will help to raise the profile of access to disabled people in our area." The eight nomination categories are village halls & community centres, hospitality, open spaces, leisure, retail, health & councils; service industry, and voluntary organisations. The categories will be divided into five awards – low budget solutions, best toilet, alternative access, most accessible employer, and best innovation. Nominations must be submitted by December 15. For a nomination form, contact Gwil Williams at [email protected]">[email protected].
