{"id":54136,"date":"2015-02-20T12:34:28","date_gmt":"2015-02-20T12:34:28","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?guid=1325ecf10e071589c8891b880a3ddf4c"},"modified":"2015-02-20T12:34:28","modified_gmt":"2015-02-20T12:34:28","slug":"press-release-accessible-britain-challenge-awards-2015-shortlist-announced","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?p=54136","title":{"rendered":"Press release: Accessible Britain Challenge Awards 2015 shortlist announced"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The shortlist announced today recognises those making an outstanding contribution to inclusive and accessible communities for the 12.2 million disabled people across the UK.<\/p>\n

The awards highlight the huge contribution disabled people make through accessible communities through employment and also economically with a combined spending power of \u00a3212 billion a year, known as the \u2018purple pound\u2019.<\/p>\n

The YMCA Community Gym in Peterborough has been shortlisted in the \u2018Innovative use of Buildings, Spaces and Places category\u2019 and aspiring Paralympic athlete and former prisoner Craig Green is just one example of the way they are helping disabled people to build a brighter future. <\/p>\n

Craig, 33, was born with a rare condition called Poland syndrome which affects his right hand and a pectoral muscle. He started working at the YMCA as part of their work experience programme for prisoners and is now a fully qualified personal trainer at the gym. The gym is fully inclusive and provides specialised equipment and bespoke fitness programmes for people with disabilities and long-term health conditions. Craig has now set his sights on representing Team GB cycling at the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio, Brazil.<\/p>\n

Craig Green said: <\/p>\n

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Training and now working at the YMCA gym has given me a new sense of purpose.<\/p>\n

It is so much more than a place to exercise \u2013 it\u2019s a community where like-minded people can come together to overcome all sorts of different barriers they are facing.<\/p>\n

I hope we can inspire others to follow our lead because places like this really do change lives.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

The award winners will be announced at a ceremony at the House of Commons on 12 March 2015, in association with the British Institute of Facilities Management (BIFM).<\/p>\n

Minister of State for Disabled People Mark Harper said:<\/p>\n

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From buses and beach huts to music venues and museums these nominees are making a real difference to the lives of disabled people.<\/p>\n

Through the Accessible Britain Challenge Awards we aim to recognise them for their efforts as well as raise awareness and motivate other organisations to follow suit. We want everyone to get on board and enable disabled people to participate fully and actively in society.<\/p>\n

I wish all the nominees the best of luck and congratulate them for the fantastic work they are doing in their communities.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Gareth Tancred, CEO of awards sponsor the British Institute of Facilities Management (BIFM), said<\/p>\n

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It is vital that we better understand the challenges that disabled people face when they access facilities and that this understanding is connected into the design process. By adopting universal design and inclusive practices at the earliest stage, everyone should be able to access services independently, and have equal opportunity to enter, use and enjoy the built environment.<\/p>\n

Too often we see examples of where the design of buildings has not taken into consideration disabled access so we\u2019re pleased to support the showcasing of organisations that are getting this right. By highlighting and embedding best practice into professional standards and qualifications, we can help more organisations in creating inclusive environments.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

About the Accessible Britain Challenge Awards<\/h2>\n

Organisations are nominated across 4 categories:<\/p>\n