Stratford disability campaigner receives Mayoral award

A disability campaigner in Stratford has been recognised with a Mayoral award highlighting her work in the town to become more accessible for everyone.

Elizabeth Dixon, who runs Accessible Stratford, was presented with the award by former mayor Cllr Tony Jackson at the Stratford-upon-Avon Town Council Mayoral Event.

Elizabeth was chosen to receive the award for continuing to campaign for businesses and organisations in Stratford to make their premises as accessible as possible for those with a range of disabilities.

She also advises Warwickshire County Council on issues like blue badge parking and installing dropped kerbs and recently the District and Town Councils by writing accessibility statements for their upcoming events. 

Elizabeth said: “I won the award mainly for doing what I’ve done for many years now – advising businesses on how to improve their accessibility, and campaigning in general to make the town more user-friendly and welcome for everyone including people with disabilities.

“It was lovely to receive the award, but in a way, I wish I didn’t have to do this anymore. I actually won a Mayoral award ten years ago for my campaigning, which shows Stratford still has a way to go before it’s truly accessible.

“That said, many businesses and streets in Stratford have improved over the years, and I think the town is much more inclusive than it used to be.

“I will continue to advise anyone for the foreseeable future – there’s always more to be done.”

A former officer with West Midlands Police, Elizabeth was injured on duty in a road traffic accident in 1986 and has since used a wheelchair to get around.

Following this enormous change in her life, Elizabeth realised that Stratford, and many other places around the country, were not taking disabled people into account when it came to access.

She started advised businesses and decision makers in the town as to how they could improve their accessibility and founded the organisation ‘Accessible Stratford’ to give her campaigning more credibility.

Elizabeth has produced several guides for disabled people including information on the most accessible places to visit in the town, blue badge parking and accessible toilets. Everything she does is on a voluntary basis.

She added: “Because of my time as a police officer, I wasn’t afraid to challenge anyone about access for all for inclusion.

“One thing I always say is accessibility is more than just having a ramp. It’s about having the right layout in your shop for everyone to move around and browse easily, having an accessible toilet and making sure an induction loop system for deaf people is provided, and so much more.

“Happily, the vast majority of businesses are willing to listen when I suggest improvements, and most do try and change their ways. Anything not done is usually out of ignorance rather than malice.

“After all, if a business doesn’t adapt, they lose out on trade as people with disabilities will always go to the business that looks out for them.”

Helen Peters, Chief Executive at Shakespeare’s England - the Destination Management Organisation (DMO) for South Warwickshire and the surrounding area - was delighted Elizabeth was chosen for the award.

She said: “Elizabeth works so hard on behalf of the disabled community, and we have always encouraged our members to ensure they cater for disabled people properly so they can enjoy Stratford equally as much.

“We have worked with Elizabeth for many years now, and it is still amazing how much she continues to campaign. Stratford is not perfect yet, and we will continue to work with Elizabeth and our members to help make Stratford as accessible as possible.”

CAPTION – Elizabeth Dixon (left) with Cllr Tony Jackson holding her Mayoral award