National Accessible Scheme

Serviced, Self-Catering and Camping, Touring & Holiday Parks

Developed following extensive review with accommodation providers, guests and many organisational bodies representing people with disabilities, together with the other National Tourist Boards, the scheme provides a set of Accessible Standards against which establishments are assessed for their accessibility and awarded a rating. Standards for serviced, self-catering accommodation and holiday parks cover three types of impairment: mobility, hearing and visual. There are four categories for mobility plus an additional accolade 'access exceptional', and two each for visual and hearing impairment with level 1 being the minimum entry requirement.

The standards have been designed to allow people with access requirements and varying disabilites to make an informed choice about where they can go on holiday in the UK.

Why you should take part
There are many good reasons for making your accommodation more accessible to those with disabilities:

the business potential - Research shows that there are approximately 2.7 million potential holiday-makers with disabilities in the UK who regularly travel, and millions more abroad
the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) 1995
the National Accessible Standards will give you the confidence to promote your facilities to people with mobility and sensory disabilities. The ratings identify your establishment to prospective guests as one which has been assessed and approved to a national standard. Attaining a rating and using it in your marketing will improve your business. The NAS cannot guarantee compliance with the DDA. However, achieving a rating under the new NAS will demonstrate that the spirit of the DDA has been embraced. It will also serve to demonstrate a recognition of, and commitment to, the importance of accessibility.

How to apply
The National Accessible Scheme (NAS) information pack will guide you towards the increased accessibility now expected by consumers and required as part of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA). It will also show you the considerable business and other benefits afforded by membership of the NAS.

You can carry out your own audit using the NAS Self-Survey forms. There are three self-survey forms. You will receive one with your NAS pack which is for Mobility 1 & 2. There are also forms for Mobility 3 & Access Exceptional and a form for Hearing and Visual levels 1 & 2. These two forms can be requested separately if required.

More information about completing the self-survey is provided in the application pack.

If you wish to apply to participate in the NAS or receive a pack, please contact the Quality in Tourism team for details.

The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) (1995)
The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) (1995) places duties on providers of goods, services and facilities not to discriminate against people with disabilities.

Like everyone else, tourism providers must take reasonable steps to change practices, policies and procedures to make their facilities and services accessible to disabled people.

Tourism providers should also provide auxiliary aids (such as installing an induction loop) to make it easier to use a service. This applies to all disabled people, whether, for example, they are a guest, visitor or employee.

The National Accessible Scheme (NAS) is one of the most widely accepted ways of improving access and quality. Meeting the standards will not guarantee compliance with the DDA, nor will it meet every particular need in every situation, but it will go a long way in assisting the tourism industry to provide a more accessible environment and, most importantly, offering customers an informed choice. Joining the National Accessible Scheme is a way of showing consumers and other interested parties that you can provide a certain level of accessibility and you have considered the needs of disabled people.

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