SCLD met Euan’s Guide, the website where disabled people review accessible places, and the message was clear: your experience can help others feel confident to explore new places.

It only takes a few minutes to write a review, but it can make a big difference. Read more to hear about the Expert Group members experiences in writing reviews so you can too. 

On the 30^th of April, Zoe from Euan’s Guide came along to a meeting of SCLD’s Expert Group to tell us more about this disabled access charity, which provides accessibility reviews for hundreds of venues across the UK and beyond.

Euan’s Guide are best known for their disabled access review website, www.euansguide.com

The meeting focused on this.

Thousands of people use it every month to share and find disabled access information.

By sharing and reading reviews from disabled people with similar access requirements, it aims to give people with disability the confidence to explore somewhere new by breaking down barriers and improving accessibility.

On the website you can find a range of accessible places to visit, like restaurants, cafes, pubs, leisure centres and parks… The list goes on! It’s a helpful tool to support you on making the right choice when choosing a place to visit.

Euan’s Guide pride themselves in ‘making the world more accessible one review at a time’

The meeting was held in Glasgow with the option to join online.

Zoe told the Expert Group about the work Euan’s Guide do and explained about the work of volunteer reviewers. As part of Zoe’s presentation on how to leave a review, the Expert Group filled out a paper review of the Claris Pears building, where the meeting was being held.

SCLD’s Expert Group consult with local and national organisations on important issues affecting people with learning disabilities in Scotland, including them. They share their lived experience to reduce and prevent barriers.

James, an Expert Group member said,

‘Zoe was very helpful and good at answering questions I had about Euan’s Guide’.

From learning the importance reviews can make, Billy, another Expert Group Member, now uses the website when visiting places.

He filled out a review of his local Bingo Hall, Club3000, to encourage other people with similar access requirements to have the confidence to go there.

‘I left a review on my phone which only took 3 minutes. The website was easy to use. There were options to make the text larger and use a screen reader too.’

After leaving the review, Billy was notified shortly after to say they had received it. He felt great it was acknowledged so quickly.

Billy was delighted to see that paper and easy read copies of the review were also available too.  If needed, Euan’s Guide will send one by post, which is free to return to their office. Here is a link to order easy read review forms on the Euan’s Guide website. A member of staff will upload your review to the website for you.

‘A paper review is important because not everyone with a learning disability is technology literate.’

Billy’s last piece of advice to those wanting to become a leader of change by reviewing places they visit was.

‘Make sure you try and remember everything about your experience as it means you are able to speak about it in your review.’

He emphasized that all information could be helpful to someone when making their decision to visit somewhere.

Billy made it clear that reviews are for kind and helpful feedback rather than critical.

‘If there is anything that you want to complain about, make it through proper channels, not your review.’

To leave a review online, visit www.euansguide.com and fill out the form. This will help build people’s confidence to travel and explore somewhere new by finding places that meet their needs.

It’s a great opportunity to develop your leadership skills and become part of the change that people with learning disabilities need and deserve.

Billy’s next step is to read other people’s reviews to find places to visit on holiday.

To find out more about Euan’s Guide, please visit www.Euansguide.com

You can contact them at Contact Euan’s Guide for any support or questions you have. They are always happy to help.