Ecclesiastical and heritage venues come together for Disabled Access Day

The first Disabled Access Day - a new initiative aimed at encouraging disabled people, their friends and families to access a visitor attraction - took place on 17 January. Over 200 companies and venues across the UK gave their support to the initiative, including VisitEngland, VisitScotland, Visit Wales, Standard Life, BT and the Museums Association.

Disabled access review website Euan's Guide - run by Euan and Kiki MacDonald - was involved in promoting the day, which was about highlighting venues that offer good access.

According to a release launching the event: 'The aim of the Disabled Access Day is to highlight attractions that have great disabled access and to encourage disabled people to try new places. This presents a great opportunity for museums to advertise the accessible facilities which they have.'

Kiki MacDonald added: 'Promoting good disabled access is at the core of what we do, so this campaign is close to our hearts. By hosting events and offering promotions to visitors on 17 January, all of the partners involved can demonstrate just how important disabled access is to them.'

Events included venue tours and children's activities with special promotions available at venues including Buckingham Palace, the Cutty Sark and the National Theatre.

As part of Disabled Access Day, St Paul's Cathedral highlighted the accessibility of its facilities for disabled people - from lifts and ramps for the mobility impaired and touch tours for those with visual impairments to British Sign Language multimedia guides and an audio induction loop for those with hearing difficulties (pictured).

In a release promoting the event, the cathedral said: 'This day, organised by a group of disabled people, will give the cathedral a chance to put people with all disabilities right at the heart of activities, both for sightseeing and worship.'

Visits manager Lynn Johnson commented: 'When Sir Christopher Wren was designing St Paul's the concept of accessibility was still centuries away. But in recent times we have worked incredibly hard to be inclusive of all people and this Disabled Access Day will give us the chance to show people they should not be nervous or intimidated about visiting us, whether as a sightseer or worshipper.

'We are truly excited about this special day and hope it's something we can be involved with for many years to come.'

For expert advice on access for disabled in the church and heritage sector, here are a couple of websites of companies who would be happy to offer their guidance www.ivinghoebuilders.com and www.aboutaccess.co.uk. For guidance on loop systems for churches try www.christianfabricationsltd.co.uk.