Purple Tuesday – Celebrating Accessibility For All
A series of special events are being held across the UK and in markets around the world today to celebrate Purple Tuesday, the global initiative to improve the customer experience for disabled people and their families.
As part of the celebrations, shopping centres, businesses, community groups and other organisations today will be pulling out all the stops to raise awareness of the importance of accessibility for all.
One in five people are disabled and 80% have a disabled friend or relative – and Purple Tuesday’s day of celebration is designed to enhance the customer experience of disabled people. A key focus for this year’s Purple Tuesday is to celebrate local organisations who are getting accessibility right, as experienced by their disabled customers.
Whether it’s improved physical access, helpful staff, a more sensitive sensory environment or clear communication and signage, anyone whose customer experience has been improved because of good accessibility is encouraged to share their story. Simply snap a photo of great examples of accessibility in action, post it on social media and then tag #PurpleTuesday or #ThinkAccessibility.
Throughout Purple Tuesday, a series of exciting accessibility-themed activities are being held around the world as part of a global conversation that shines a spotlight on accessibility and the needs of disabled customers.
Minister for Social Security and Disability, Sir Stephen Timms MP, said:
“Purple Tuesday’s campaign goes from strength to strength each year with even more companies breaking down accessibility barriers for disabled shoppers - as disability minister I am proud to raise awareness of this fantastic global movement.
This Government is committed to working with disabled people, their organisations and businesses to break down barriers and create a future in which everyone has equal access to every opportunity.”
Lee Keogh, Purple Tuesday Disabled Ambassador, said:
“I am so proud of the changes that are being made to accessibility in my local area of Watford. This shows me that businesses in my community want disabled people like me to have a good customer experience. I am so pleased to be supporting the Purple Tuesday initiative again for another year educating and inspiring others about what they can do to improve their accessibility.
Mike Adams OBE, Executive Chair of Purple Group and Founder of Purple Tuesday, said:
“As we celebrate the seventh year of Purple Tuesday, it's fantastic to see the continued commitment shown by organisations to keep working towards a world where accessibility is everywhere, for everyone. So often the focus of accessibility campaigning is to highlight the places that are getting it wrong. I believe we should also celebrate the good – those businesses that are making a positive difference to the lives of disabled people every day. I hope that by showcasing good practice, we will inspire others who may be falling short, to begin their own accessibility journey this year.”
Purple Tuesday connects disabled people with businesses – from global giants to micro enterprises – and is dedicated to promoting a more accessible and inclusive world by highlighting the value and contributions of people with disabilities as consumers, employees, and community members.
In the last year alone, Purple Tuesday has supported organisations to deliver 7200 new accessibility changes to improve the customer experience for disabled people and their families. A record 7,000 organisations across 13 countries are taking part in today’s celebrations, with national events taking place in the UK, Germany, the UAE, Oman Hong Kong, Malaysia, Pakistan and the USA.
Once again, official celebrations will kick off in London, where Purple Tuesday partners and disabled ambassadors will come together to see the famous Piccadilly lights turn purple and watch the premiere of the new Purple Tuesday Production.
Visit https://purpletuesday.co for more information.
For more information please contact Charlene Overend at coverend@purpletuesday.co