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Doorbell project helps improve accessibility

Tom Jackson/BBC Liz Owens wearing a navy blue hoodie with access in St Neots written in the centre. She has pink hair, black and pink glasses and is smiling at the camera. Liz is in her wheelchair at the Floor by Ian shop. Behind her are various laminate and wooden floor designs. Tom Jackson/BBC
Liz Owen has used a wheelchair since 2014 and is passionate about helping others and improving awareness

An accessibility campaigner has been distributing doorbells to businesses to educate shop owners and make all people feel welcome on the high street.

Liz Owen, who runs Access in St Neots, Cambridgeshire, said many shops were not always accessible to people with disabilities.

She launched 'Project Doorbell' so customers who need additional assistance can alert staff.

Ms Owen, who moved to the town in 2014 from Bedfordshire, said the project had been well received and she one business improved access despite having immovable steps at its entrance.

Tom Jackson/BBC A white doorbell on a yellow painted doorway. On a window next to the bell is a blue and white sticker with an stick image of a person in a wheelchair which reads 'please ring bell for assistance'. Tom Jackson/BBC
The wireless doorbells are installed outside shops alongside a sticker to signpost it

When delivering a doorbell to FBI [Floored by Ian], Mrs Owen said shop owner Ian McLachlan surprised her by improving access into the building.

Ms Owen told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire the front of the shop had steps which could not be removed, so Mr McLachlan built a ramp at the side entrance.

"It was a lovely surprise, I was really grateful," she said.

"It meant that someone cared, someone had thought about accessibility and I felt included.

"Quite often if you see a shop that is not accessible it makes you think they don't want your custom...this was amazing and unexpected, it means anyone with access needs can come into the shop."

Tom Jackson/BBC Ian McLachlan sat at a white desk with blue, red, black and yellow filed behind him. He wears a blue shirt with the yellow FBI (Floored by Ian) logo in the top right. He has one hand on the desk, a ring on his finger and wears circle framed glasses. Tom Jackson/BBC
Mr McLachlan contacted Access in St Neots to join the 'Doorbell Project' as a way of assisting the community

Mr McLachlan, whose business covers Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, said he asked the council about removing the steps at his shop but it could not be done.

Instead, he installed a ramp inside the side entrance. By ringing the bell on the shop window, customers can now be assisted inside via the new ramp.

"We are just doing the right thing, if you can make someone's life easier, why not," he added.

"If a small business like us can, then anyone can."

Tom Jackson/BBC A ramp with grey laminate flooring which leads to a doorway and outside the FBI shop. Tom Jackson/BBC
Access in St Neots was conceived by Ms Owen in 2021 on Facebook to highlight the point of view of a wheelchair user

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