Making shopping accessible

"Everyone is human and we all need a helping hand at times."

For Countdown Stratford store manager Jess Stubbs ensuring his store is accessible to all shoppers is just part of what he does on a daily basis, but to some customers it makes all the difference.

The difference was recognised at the Taranaki Disabilities Information Centre Trust (TDICT) Stratford Accessible Shops Awards held on Tuesday, November 17, at which Countdown Stratford was named recipient of the Overall Best Accessible Shop Award as well as category winner in the Large Business Award section.

Guest speaker at the awards Lance Girling-Butcher said the awards "celebrate the huge intelligence of the Stratford business community in being nice to people like me!" Lance, who has glaucoma-induced blindness, says 30 per cent of Taranaki people have a disability "so there are a lot of us looking for the best places to shop and do our business".

Brian Eriksen of the TDICT says the awards recognise businesses which have actively sought to make their premises user-friendly for people with disabilities. Brian's colleague Keryn Roderick visited Stratford businesses earlier in the year, offering to carry out a free assessment of their premises, identifying ways in which they could become more accesible as well as highlighting things they were already doing well.

"Nearly every business I approached was happy to find ways they could increase their accessibility," she says.

Keryn and Brian agree Countdown Stratford was a stand-out entrant. "They benefit of course from having a new building, but it is all the extras Jess does that really make the difference." She says she was impressed to find out he had introduced an initiative in a previous store he managed offering personal shopping services for people with a vision disability. Jess says he understands how confusing a supermarket can be.

"Every week our layout changes, so having a personal shopper to guide them through the store made their life a lot easier." Jess says it is an initiative he will bring to the Stratford store if the need is there. "We also have a clear floor policy, we keep our aisles free of clutter, making it easier for everyone to navigate, not just people who can't see clearly, but also people in a wheelchair who need more space."

"Every one of the finalists and winners on the night has made a difference to so many.

"It was great to stand up with them and be recognised."

All finalists and winners were given a sticker to display on their door indicating their accessibility.

- Complete list of finalists and winners:

Large Business Award: Mitre 10 Stratford (Finalist), Stratford ITM (Finalist), Countdown Stratford (Winner).

Small Business Award: Stratford Press (Finalist), Stratford Four Square (Finalist), Moss Rocard and Smith Chemist (Winner).

Accessibility Awareness Award: Stratford District Council (Finalist), Home and Gift Plus (Finalist), Central Windows and Doors (Winner). Overall Best Accessible Shop: Moss Rocard and Smith Chemist (Finalist), Central Windows and Doors (Finalist), Countdown Stratford (Winner).