What's next from team AccessAble?
Setting the ground - a letter from Head Of Marketing Carrie-Ann Lightley
Last night was the Shaw Trust’s annual event of the Disability Power 100 - a list of the UK’s most influential disabled people. Several of our team were on our list - including our founder and executive chair, Dr Gregory Burke, and our head of marketing, Carrie-Ann Lightley. In this issue, she writes to you about milestones in the disability space - while setting out what we intend to do next.
I’m writing to you the day after the Shaw Trust’s Disability Power 100 2023 ceremony. I attended last night, with colleagues and friends, and as I now rest, recover, and reflect in a hotel room nearby, I’m struck by just how important it is to celebrate milestones in disability.
It has been quite the journey to get to this point, both for me personally and for all the other changemakers included on this year’s list. Physically, there is the impact that attending in-person events can have on many of us who are disabled, the fatigue crashes and ‘payback’; but also, the sheer joy and feeling of belonging that comes with being a disabled person, in a room full of disabled people. Metaphorically, the sheer work these 100 people have put in to achieve what they have should not be underestimated, a significant journey in itself.
It’s from that state of mind that I bring you this issue of The AccessAble Dispatch, our roundup of all things accessibility in the disability space. The issues are themed, and today’s is, of course, all about milestones in disability.
I joined AccessAble in 2018. It was an exciting time; we were on the cusp of a rebrand, ready to launch a new website. We worked hard to make sure we built on the success of DisabledGo and improved the things our users told us are important, faster and simpler searching, seamless integration with assistive technology, more accessibility filters. We want to reach more people with access to accessibility information to make informed choices. More is the key word here – we wanted to help more people. Millions more. Back in 2018, 1.5 million people used our website each year to find vital accessibility information. Today that figure has grown to over 6 million.
2019 was the first year that I was included in the Shaw Trust’s Disability Power 100 list, alongside AccessAble’s Founder and Executive Chair Dr Gregory Burke. 2023 marks the fifth consecutive year on the list for both of us.
As well as core members of the team making the list, a significant number of AccessAble Ambassadors have also been recognised for their accomplishments. Since the Ambassador network was established in 2018, 10+ members have also been named in the Disability Power 100. This further strengthens our position as leading experts in the disability/accessibility space.
So, what’s next? Our strong ambition to deliver our social mission continues. We’re expanding our work internationally, working behind the scenes on lots of innovative projects. The desire to help more people continues to burn brightly; by 2025 – when we mark a quarter of a century in existence – our target is to reach 10 million people.
We know our work makes a massive difference, we are a service for every disabled person and carer, regardless of impairment. Help us spread the word about AccessAble – Your Accessibility Guide.
Until next time,
Carrie-Ann Lightley, Head of Marketing at AccessAble
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In Case You Missed It..
We have announced our new partnership with the Motability Foundation, to detail the accessibility of electric car charging points. Read all about it.
We have also welcomed a new Ambassador to our network - welcome Izzy. Check them out on Instagram.
VisitScotland has announced the completion of an inclusive tourism project with AccessAble to deliver 100 Detailed Access Guides for accommodation providers and attractions across Scotland. Learn more.