A unique partnership scheme between Council, Charity and Businesses is set to offer a warm welcome to visiting athletes and their families this month with the extension of a National Disability Card Scheme
The Access Card is a scheme which evidences and communicates a disabled person’s needs and is already welcomed at venues and businesses through the UK and is run by disability consultancy firm Nimbus.
Nimbus has also worked with the City Council and local Charity, Disability Sheffield, to launch a new Carer Card which extends some of the benefits of the Access Card to unpaid carers.
All of the partners involved in both card schemes, including local businesses, are launching a temporary combined Access Card and Carer Card which will be distributed to all athletes and their families visiting the city for the coming Special Olympics
The Fitzwilliam Street branch of Las Iguanas is one of the organisations involved in the scheme;
“Having customers feel welcomed and treated with that little extra care can make their experience more worthwhile, we are proud to accept both The Access Card and the Carer Card and will do our best to do what we can for disabled guests.”
Ali Hayward (pictured) is an Access Card Holder;
“I think it’s great that businesses like Las iguanas have joined up with the Access Card and it’s nice to know they offer a discount.
Having businesses get involved with the card is so important not only because of the discounts but because life is harder and more expensive when you have a disability, so to have a nice meal out is a treat and it’s great to be able to use my card here.”
Janet Murphy a Carer Cardholder said:
“It’s so nice that places are seeing the benefit of being access aware, to know that both disabled people and their carers can get discounts is great as going out is often a treat not a regular event for some families and to know that places like Las Iguanas accept the Carer card is really great.
Lee Teesdale-Smith, Commissioning Officer from Sheffield City Council is involved with the work on the rollout of the Carer Card in the City;
“Sheffield City Council recognises the incredible contribution that carers make to our communities. Sheffield is host to the Special Olympics GB National Games (the Games which provides the perfect stage to celebrate the vital role that carers have within our society.
“We know caring can have a financial impact, so we are extending our Carers Access Card scheme during the Games which means carers will be able to get discounts at a range of businesses whilst they are in Sheffield for the Games. This includes cafes, pubs, restaurants etc. Thank you to all those carers who do so much to support the athletes on a day-to-day basis, please enjoy the Games.”
The Access Card and the Carer Card can both be applied for online, over the phone or by paper application.
Visit www.accesscard.org.uk or get in touch with Disability Sheffield on 0114 253 6745 to find out more
If you run a business that wants to get involved in this great venture it’s free of charge to list and offer; just click the ‘Get your business involved’ link on the Access Card website.
