Now is the time for shops to emb race inclusivity for all,
The high street is dead. That’s what we’ve been told time and time again. And with Covid, things have looked hairy at times. But people don’t want the high street to die. It holds a special place in our hearts, a fondness that fulfils our need for face-to-face, physical contact.
While we may be living the ‘new normal’, some things never change. Don’t lie, didn’t you find yourself going to the big Tesco just to touch something –a T-shirt, jeans or even a multipack of socks – in those dark lockdown days? Despite the convenience of shopping online, it can’t offer the tactile experience you get in-person.
Unless, like me, you’re Disabled. Online shopping isn’t just handy – it can be a necessity. While everyone was marvelling at this new way of shopping, Disabled people were thinking, ‘This is the way it’s always been for us.’
When I think of my highstreet experiences as a Disabled woman, I don’t feel particularly welcome: shop-floor walkways poorly organised for navigation, Disabled changing rooms and toilets used for stock storage – and that’s if you can even get in the front door.
Obstacles like these can make or break a Disabled person’s decision to support the high street. It’s like being invited to a party and having the door closed in your face.
So we’ve been turning to online shopping, not only because we don’t have to leave our accessible spaces, but because of the glimmer of representation that online brands are starting to show through their models. Don’t get me wrong, there is still nowhere near enough representation for Disabled people
