‘Sector Champions’ To Represent Disabled Consumers

Disabled consumers in the UK are set to be given a new voice, through the appointment of 11 sector champions. The Department for Work and Pensions has launched the initiative to make businesses more accountable to those with disabilities.

The sectors covered under this scheme are retail, music, leisure, tourism, hotels, media, advertising, airports, buses, banking and gaming.

Minister for disabled people Penny Mordaunt told the BBC: “As a public advocate for accessibility, these champions will help businesses realise the value of disabled consumers and the importance of catering to every customer’s needs.”

Among the champions who have been appointed are Suzanne Bell, chief executive of Attitude is Everything, who will cover music; Jane Cole, managing director at Blackpool Transport Services, who will cover buses; and Jo Twist, chief executive of UKIE, who will look at gaming.

Meanwhile, head of marketing, press and publicity at Channel 4 Dan Brooke was appointed as the media champion. He told the Guardian that Channel 4 had been making a concerted effort to increase the number of disabled people featured in its programming.

As well as running extensive coverage of the Paralympic Games, the TV channel has also included more disabled people in programmes such as Gogglebox, the Island, First Dates and Hollyoaks.

While more work is being done to make the wider world more accessible to those with disabilities, there are things that you can do at home to make your property easier to use if you have a disability.

Installing an easy access shower could make all the difference to what you can do by yourself in the bathroom, while a host of other products from shower seating to bath lifts can also be fitted to make everyday tasks a bit easier.