A GUIDE helping leisure providers to create a welcoming and accessible environment for people with disabilities has won the backing of a Paralympic star.

Ben Quilter, European Judo champion and bronze medallist in the 2012 Paralympic Games, helped launched the i-go Good Practice Guide at a special event Saturday, September 19.

Joining Ben at the event were representatives from East Sussex County Council’s i-go team, organisations representing services for young people and young people who use services at the St Nicholas Centre in Lewes.

The Good Practice Guide has been designed to help large and small businesses, clubs and individuals take steps to make their business or organisation more inclusive.

“With an estimated 90,000 people living with a disability in East Sussex, including 1,700 aged between 10 and 17, making  your service fully accessible has never been more important,” said Karen Robinson, i-go project manager.

The guide provides information about what responsibilities leisure providers have under the Equality Act a self-assessment checklist and lots of useful advice and guidance about making reasonable adjustments.

The guide also has a section about how to communicate in a clear and inclusive way.

The i-go scheme is a partnership between East Sussex County Council and children’s charity Rockinghorse. With money from the Big Lottery Fund, the partnership has worked towards increasing accessibility for young people.

For more information about i-go and for a copy of the Good Practice Guide, visit www.eastsussex.gov.uk/igo