All RDAs across England are closing by March 2012
(see transition and closure section).
With our resources reducing steadily, this page has not been recently updated and the information below may not be current.
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RDAs support Tourism for All's launch of OpenBritain, the new
national guide to accessible accommodation for disabled
people.
06 July 2009
The UK's commitment to action against disability discrimination
and to deliver a fully accessible Games were key elements in the
success of the UK bid to host the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics.
The Games represent a major opportunity to change attitudes to
disability and create a legacy of accessibility in the UK.
Today (July 6th), the South West Regional Development Agency,
along with England's other RDAs, is sponsoring the launch of a new
guide to accessible accommodation in Britain - OpenBritain.
The guide offers an unprecedented chance for our tourism
businesses to advertise their accessible accommodation across
Britain and the world.
It will be launched at the National Theatre in London by the
Minister for Tourism - Barbara Follett MP and the Minister for
Disabled People - Jonathan Shaw MP. OpenBritain is also supported
by the Rt Hon Tessa Jowell MP, Minister for the Olympics and
Paralympics.
Improving the quality of our tourism offer in the South West is
key to the industry's success. The South West RDA is working with
South West Tourism and its delivery partners to increase the number
of businesses offering accessible accommodation in the lead up to
2012.
What is OpenBritain?
OpenBritain is a new service for the traveller with access
needs.
For the first time, three of the leading UK charities for
disabled people - Tourism for All UK, RADAR, and the National
Federation of ShopMobility - have teamed up with national tourism
bodies to create OpenBritain. This all new definitive guide book
and website is for people with disabilities and access
requirements. Tourism partners include VisitBritain, Visit Wales,
VisitScotland, British Hospitality Association, the AA and the
Caravan Club.
OpenBritain will provide information on all types of accessible
facilities. Accommodation will range from hotels and B&Bs to
self catering holiday homes and caravan/camping sites. Attractions,
leisure facilities, and places to eat and drink will also be
included.
For a long time, disabled people have been asking for a single
source of information which will highlight where to stay, where to
eat and drink and how to get there. OpenBritain will remove the
onerous task of having to trawl through thousands of websites, many
of which do not have the information required.
The website will combine all of the elements contained in the
guide along with a powerful search engine to enable easy and rapid
selection. There will be a simple booking enquiry system direct to
the accommodation providers. Phase 2 and 3 of the web development
will include the ability for users to post reviews, social
networking, pre-planning of visits to local attractions, accessible
restaurants and much much more.
Barbara Follett MP, Minister for Tourism said: "Getting tourism
services right for disabled people makes economic as well as social
sense... The 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games give Britain a great
opportunity to showcase what we have to offer to tourists. It also
gives us the chance to provide the best ever facilities for
disabled tourists."
Maureen McAllister, Head of Tourism and Culture, at the South
West RDA said: "Combining these three guides is great news for
tourism business in our region. We have eight training camps listed
for Paralympic sports in the South West and we need to be able to
accommodate visitors, friends and families of those athletes who
may come to train in our region. The new guide simply adds to the
business case for becoming more accessible. This new service
enabling our businesses to advertise to a group with a spending
power of £80bn is a fantastic opportunity,"
Entries in OpenBritain will either have had an access inspection
or apply for self certification, with all members subject to random
checks. Clear symbols will show facilities available.
The new annual guide book will replace those currently published
by Tourism for All and RADAR. OpenBritain 2010 will be published in
November 2009 and the new website www.openbritain.netwill launch in
late Summer 09.
Ends
Notes to editors
The South West RDA leads the development of a sustainable
economy, investing to unlock the region's business potential. It is
helping companies respond to the economic crisis and charts a
course for recovery. The RDA is developing or expanding initiatives
which include: establishing a Business Loan Fund; coordinating the
response to large companies in difficulty; preparing for economic
recovery.
If you would like to know more about OpenBritain, please contact
Ian Clarke at Saffron Marketing 01603 622790. Further information
can also be found on the OpenBritain website, www.openbritain.net.
For information about South West of England Regional Development
Agency, please contact Virginia Marsh, SWRDA press office 01392
229548
Contact Details
Name: Virginia Marsh
Tel: 01392 229548
Email: virginia.marsh@southwestrda.org.uk