People with disabilities will be able to check how accessible shops, restaurants and other venues are at the click of a button - thanks to a new guide.

The free guide, which can be found on www.DisabledGo.info, lists disabled-friendly places in Bradford. People can search under eight titles, including:

  • banking and professional
  • leisure and entertainment
  • food and drink
After clicking on the desired link, website users will be able to browse extensive lists of accessible companies, businesses and venues. Users will also be able to find out exactly what services for disabled people are provided by individual venues thanks to a range of symbols.

Those places which boast services including adapted toilets, large print and Braille, staff with disability-awareness training and home-delivery services are all clearly marked with an image next to the venue name.

The guide has been compiled by DisabledGo with sponsorship from Bradford Council and Marks & Spencer, which is a partner for the charity.

The founder of DisabledGo, Dr Gregory Burke, said: "The constant need to write or telephone to inquire about access really affects people's confidence to get out and do what they want to do.

"Never knowing whether a building will be accessible or whether staff will have a helpful attitude makes you think twice before going out.

"DisabledGo ends that uncertainty by providing detailed access information."

Peter Kay, head of services for adults at Bradford Council's social services department, said: "This guide will provide a lifeline for many of our disabled residents, giving them the confidence of knowing in advance whether a place is accessible.

"It also credits those businesses who have taken steps to improve accessibility.

"We are delighted to be part of such a valuable resource."

Veronica Crosthwaite, store manager at Marks & Spencer in Bradford, said: "At Marks & Spencer we are keen to improve access for all our customers to our products and services.

"We believe that the DisabledGo website provides comprehensive information, which answers a real need, and will make a difference to disabled people's daily lives. It's great that we can support this service here in Bradford and in other areas across the UK."

The hundreds of Bradford companies which have provided information for the website will receive free disability-awareness packs detailing methods of offering better services to disabled customers.

Dr Burke said: "Disabled people are no small minority. One in six of the British population is disabled and disabled people have an annual spend of £80 billion. Those are numbers any business should take seriously.

"I'm immensely grateful to Marks & Spencer and Bradford Council for the support they have given us, and I hope that this guide will open up all that the Bradford district has to offer to everyone."

e-mail: rebecca.wright @bradford.newsquest.co.uk