Resident-led project to improve access for more people in and around Kings Heath High Street in partnership with Kings Heath Business Improvement District.

About Access for All Kings Heath

Between January and May 2024 we worked in partnership with Kings Heath BID to deliver the Access for All Kings Heath project funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. We were supported by local volunteers, Home Instead and members of Disability Linx and Ability Life Opportunities.

During the project we:

  • Conducted a public perception survey and held two focus groups to create a better understanding of the challenges and experiences of local shoppers and visitors with access needs on and around Kings Heath High Street. The ‘words’ and ‘voices’ of the respondents will help decision makers and influencers understand how local people are affected by public realm and infrastructure challenges.
  • Coordinated a team of residents with lived experience of disability and with access needs to conduct fact-finding visits to almost 300 businesses to gather accessibility information for every business in the BID area to help customers plan their visits and to promote accessible businesses. Visit the BID Business Directory to view accessibility icons and information.
  • We designed and produced a series of maps of the High Street which can be downloaded from the BID’s website, showing

      – Which businesses are currently wheelchair accessible

     –  Which businesses provide accessible and standard                  toilets for non-paying customers

     – Which businesses have sensory sensitivity      

        considerations

     – Where you can find Blue Badge parking, drop kerbs and 

      crossings.

Updated maps available here: Accessibility – Enjoy Kings Heath

Examples below.

Resources for businesses

The resident-led project is also supporting businesses to improve their accessibility and as a team we produced a training film and booklet to help businesses understand how they can tap into the purple and dementia pounds through making changes and removing barriers to access. 

and we then moved on to Part II of the project…. find out more: 

This project is funded by the Shared Prosperity Fund

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the UK government’s Levelling Up agenda and provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills. For more information, visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-shared-prosperity-fund-prospectus