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30
Jul
Launch of initiative designed to make Ripon more accessible
Ripon is leading the way when it comes to developing a joined-up approach to issues of accessibility.
The unveiling of the Accessible Ripon brand, which took place at Community House last week, makes the city the first place in North Yorkshire to launch what will become part of a county-wide initiative.
It is designed to make life easier for people with disabilities when they are visiting or planning to visit Ripon or other locations in the county.
Jeremy Dunford, a trustee of Ripon Disability Forum, said:
We have been involved in developing the model with Visit North Yorkshire, Disability Action Yorkshire and some BID groups around the county and are confident that this will be beneficial to businesses, residents and visitors.
The aim of the brand is to ask businesses to share their accessible information directly from the front page of their website and/or social media.
Every business will have accessible features, even if they cannot provide ramped/flat access. Many disabilities do not revolve around a wheelchair.
For any business/venue we have a range of support options from paid for audits to free one to one support from Ripon Disability Forum members.
We have also launched our accessible map of Ripon city centre, funded by Ripon City Council which shows accessible routes and facilities in an easy access format. This is available via our website: ripondisabilityforum.co.uk
The Mayor of Ripon Councillor Jackie Crozier.
The Mayor of Ripon, Councillor Jackie Crozier, who was present for the launch, said:
The city council is delighted to support this brilliant initiative and we congratulate all of those who are working so hard to make Ripon and other parts of the county more accessible and welcoming.
As a business owner myself, I know how important this is to attracting visitors, whose spending bolsters the local economy.
Attendees at the launch included Ripon's North Yorkshire Councillors Barbara Brodigan and Andrew Williams, the Dean of Ripon the Very Revd John Dobson, Katie Scott, the director of Ripon Theatre Festivel, business owners and council officers.
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