Hospitality accessibility site wins European innovation award

Hospitality accessibility guide Blue Badge Style has won the European Investment Bank Institute's social innovation tournament for its pictoral access descriptions (PADs).

It won the special category prize: Urban Environment for the PADs aimed at less physically able visitors to hotels, restaurants and bars.

The award, which includes £20,000 prize money, comes as Blue Badge Style has completed a PAD for D&D London's South Place hotel.

Blue Badge Style founder Fiona Jarvis said: "Hotels, bars and restaurants are at the forefront of changing attitudes to disability by making it easier for people to enjoy a stylish social life.

"Many often forget that people with mobility issues need to check out a hotel, restaurant or bar online before they go, but it's often very difficult to work out what the obstacles will be for a particular disability. For example, a walking stick user will want to know if there's a handrail on the stairs, while a wheelchair user needs to know whether there is a ramp.

"It's all about knowing what to expect in advance. Blue Badge Style's PADs enable potential customers to make an informed choice and ensure they have a good time."