Making your business accessible and inclusive
Improving accessibility doesn’t always require a large budget.
Often it’s about better information, clearer communication, and a proactive mindset. Explore the resources to start your journey today. This section is designed to be your practical roadmap to inclusivity.
Industry-leading toolkits and resources
Direct signposting to the VisitEngland Accessibility Toolkit and professional auditing services like AccessAble.
Practical templates and checklists
Practical tools you need to welcome every visitor to the Isle of Thanet.
Local success stories
Case studies from Thanet businesses that have successfully enhanced their offer for all visitors.
Your accessibility journey
A step-by-step chart to help you identify where to start and how to progress. Follow the flowchart to begin your journey to becoming more accessible and inclusive. You may find that you are already further along the journey than you thought!
There are lots of practical resources, templates and checklists along the way to help you through the process.
Phase 1
Start
Commit to accessibility
Congratulations you have taken the first step to becoming more accessible. Let’s understand what’s involved…
Understanding access
Understanding accessibility and what you need to do can be a minefield. Take a look at these fantastic resources to give you a headstart.
Accessible audits
VisitEngland checklists
Write an access statement
An access statement is a factual guide to a venue’s accessibility. It is essential because it replaces guesswork, for visitors with access needs, with clarity, ensuring your space is inclusive for everyone. See our What to include guide and Template.
Is the statement easy to find for visitors?
No
See our checklist for Where to feature your Access Statement
Yes
Great, go to Phase 2
Text description for Phase 1
1.1 Start
1.2 Commit to accessibility!
Congratulations you have taken the first step to becoming more accessible. Let’s understand what’s involved…
1.3 Understanding Accessibility
Understanding accessibility and what you need to do can be a minefield. Take a look at these fantastic resources to give you a headstart.
1.3a Accessible Audits – link to toolkit links on site
1.3b Visit England Toolkit – link to toolkit links on site
1.4 Write an Access Statement
An access statement is a factual guide to a venue’s accessibility. It is essential because it replaces guesswork, for visitors with access needs, with clarity, ensuring your space is inclusive for everyone.
1.4b Fill in the Blanks Template
1.5 Is the Access Statement easy to find for visitors? If no, go to 1.5a. If yes go to 1.5b.
1. 5a No – See our checklist for Where to feature your Access Statement
1.5b Yes – Great, go to Phase 2
Phase 2: Training and promotion
Implement staff training
Your people are your greatest asset. While physical adaptations to buildings are important, it is the knowledge, confidence, and attitude of your team that truly defines a visitor’s experience!
Promoting your accessibility facilities
Now that you have your access statement and trained staff, you need to make sure your visitors know about it. If they don’t know, they won’t go!
Visit England Toolkit - Marketing Your Welcome
Tips on building the "Confidence to visit"
Is your promotion generating interest?
Text description for Phase 2
2.1 Implement Staff Training
Your people are your greatest asset. While physical adaptations to buildings are important, it is the knowledge, confidence, and attitude of your team that truly defines a visitor’s experience!
2.1a Become an Accessibility Ambassador
2.2 Promoting Your Accessibility Facilities
Now that you have your access statement and trained staff, you need to make sure your visitors know about it. If they don’t know, they won’t go!
2.2a Visit England Toolkit – Marketing Your Welcome
2.2b Tips on Building the “Confidence to Visit”
2.3 Is your promotion generating interest? If no, go to 2.3a. If yes go to 2.3b.
2.3a No – Why not review your communication channels in Phase 1 and go back to your checklists to see if there are other areas you can increase awareness.
2.3b Yes – Fantastic, move to phase 3
Phase 3: Action and improvement
Capture visitor feedback
After all the work you have put into becoming more accessible and inclusive, you need to ensure that what you offer is actually helping visitors with access needs. The best way to find out? Ask them!
Is improvement needed?
No
Well Done! Now regularly monitor and maintain feedback to ensure your business remains fully accessible and inclusive for everyone!
Yes
Use your feedback from visitors to see what needs improvement. Take a look at our Quick Wins and Tips to help you improve your accessibility
Text description for Phase 3
3.1 Capture Visitor Feedback
After all the work you have put into becoming more accessible and inclusive, you need to ensure that what you offer is actually helping visitors with access needs. The best way to find out? Ask them!
3.2 Is improvement needed? If no, got to 3.2a. If yes, go to 3.2b.
3.2a No – Well Done! Now regularly monitor and maintain feedback to ensure your business remains fully accessible and inclusive for everyone!
3.2b Yes – Use your feedback from visitors to see what needs improvement. Take a look at our Quick Wins and Tips to help you improve your accessibility
Have you thought about ensuring the workplace is inclusive?
Why not take a look at our information on becoming an Inclusive Employer.
