B&Q - JOURNEY TO ACCESSIBILITY

B&Q started its “journey to accessibility” in 1998 and has maintained the momentum up to the present day.

B&Q’s vision is to improve the quality of life of all the people its business touches, to treat both employees and customers with dignity and respect, valuing diversity and utilise the differences people bring to the business

The accessibility of its stores ensures that disabled and older people are able to shop with confidence, secure in the knowledge that they will be able to access their goods and services with ease, find solutions to meet their needs and be treated with respect by their staff.

B&Q understand that every customer has different requirements and with this in mind they have made provision to make physical changes in their stores to improve the accessibility for disabled customers.

All of their stores have been audited and were physically accessible in advance of part 111 of the Disability Discrimination Act, which came in to force in December 2004

Over 3% of their workforce is disabled and over 28000 people have been given disability and diversity awareness training, which is part of every employees induction programme.

Over 150 employees have learnt British Sign Language to improve communication with customers and staff who are Sign Language users.

B&Q ACCESSIBLE STORES AND PRODUCT RANGE

B&Q has also introduced a number of aids, which make shopping easier, including portable loops for customers with a hearing impairment, alternative format literature and electric scooters in B&Q Warehouses and the larger B&Q stores.

All of their stores stock a range of products with easy to use design features such as grab rails, lightweight garden tools and specially designed bathroom suites and shower enclosures that make them the ideal choice for the less mobile.

We recommend you visit your local B&Q store and ask about their inclusive design product range, including their FREEDOM bathroom suite and walk in shower enclosures.

Please look at the B&Q website: www.diy.com or Freephone 0800 034 0294 for details of stores near you.

Mouseability certainly recommends B & Q