Businesses urged to ensure services are accessible ahead of the Olympics

14th January 2011

UK companies have been urged by the chief executive officer of the sector skills council for the hospitality, leisure, tourism and travel industries to ensure their services are "disability-friendly" and accessible ahead of London 2012.

Speaking to Fresh Business Thinking, Brian Wisdom of People 1st noted that organisations would be short-sighted if they do not make moves to improve practices before the Olympics, as more than 20 per cent of British firms' customer base is classified as having a disability.

BBC commentator and Paralympic gold medallist Marc Woods made further comments, noting that there are simple steps businesses can take to welcome people with disabilities, such as focusing on access and being friendly and respectful.

"66 percent choose businesses renowned for good customer service and 83 percent have taken their business to a more accessible competitor," Mr Wisdom went on.

According to the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games, by the beginning of October thousands of applications from disabled people to become Games Maker volunteers had been received.

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