Sight Loss Councils celebrate Purple Tuesday
Today, Sight Loss Councils (SLCs) celebrate Purple Tuesday as part of their work to #MakeRetailAccessible for blind and partially sighted (BPS) people. This includes launching a new webpage, promoting their resources and working with retailers at key events.
Purple Tuesday is a global movement to improve the customer experience for disabled people and highlight the value of the ‘Purple Pound.’
70% of disabled people will not return to a business after receiving a poor customer service (Purple Tuesday campaign)
Source: Purple Tuesday website
In 2021, the spending power of disabled people and their households amounted to £274 billion per year and this is growing year on year. With one in five people becoming BPS in their lifetime, this means a fifth of potential customers will be visually impaired shoppers.
Free resources for retailers
For Purple Tuesday, SLCs are promoting our free resources for retailers on how best to support their BPS customers. We created these using our lived experience, working alongside retailers themselves. Our shared goal is to #MakeRetailAccessible for BPS people every day.
Download our resources below:
- Mindful shopper poster
- We have also created a new webpage with feedback from retailers and volunteers about our work.
Large cookie in a box showing ‘Happy Purple Tuesday’
How will Sight Loss Councils celebrate Purple Tuesday?
Today, Greater Manchester (GM) SLC will be heading to Manchester Arndale to speak with staff about making retail accessible. They will also help staff they have previously trained to practise guiding.
They will then deliver a vision awareness session to front of house and security staff, complementing their wider vision awareness programme across retailers. GM SLC will also invite retailers to a question and answer session, where retailers can ask SLC members about the challenges and barriers BPS people face when shopping.
In London, Sight Loss Councils are attending Battersea Power Station from 1 to 5pm to connect with retailers and raise awareness and understanding of their work to #MakeRetailAccessible. Battersea Power Station will also be lighting up its chimneys to mark Purple Tuesday and the power of the purple pound. They are also running vision awareness sessions with retail staff.
Volunteers from South East and North London SLCs will also be exhibiting from 12 to 4pm at Westfield Stratford. This is part of our ongoing partnership with Ethos Farm to make retail accessible for BPS people.
Volunteers will be on hand to speak to retailers, centre staff, and members of the public about some of the challenges they face in a retail setting. They will demonstrate this by inviting people to try sim specs (special glasses which simulate eye conditions) and complete simple tasks. Additionally, they will highlight some of the tools they use when shopping.
Nikki Hughes, South West London SLC volunteer, said:
“Making shopping accessible for people with sight loss should be a priority because everybody has the right, not only to shop, but to shop independently.
“Shopping can be a huge sensory experience. You can’t experience how a cashmere jumper or Egyptian cotton feels, or what perfume smells like, through the internet. Being able to experience this, or going to store to select a surprise gift independently, should be standard and not seen as privilege.
“These are just a couple of small examples why I believe so passionately that accessible retail should be a priority for all retailers across the country and I am proud to be involved in our #MakeRetailAccessible campaign.”
Anthony Gough, GM SLC volunteer, said:
“Empowering blind and partially sighted people to shop with confidence is essential, not only for fostering independence and self-esteem but also for promoting inclusion within society. Shopping is not just about buying, it’s about participation in the community and feeling valued.
“Ensuring accessible environments and services allows people to engage in everyday activities, reinforcing the notion that everyone deserves to navigate their world with dignity and autonomy.
“The more we do this work and raise awareness, the more likely these barriers will be removed. After all, everyone needs to shop!”
SLC volunteer speaking to two retailers wearing sim specs
Join us
Passionate about making a difference? Want to influence positive change? Our Sight Loss Councils, led by blind and partially sighted volunteers, are recruiting new members. Join us today!
We use our lived experience to create positive change for others. Together, we tackle local issues and work with businesses and service providers to improve the accessibility of their services.
Join us to help ensure visually impaired people in your area can live the lives they want to lead.
Stay in the know
Do you want to get involved in our national campaigns? Stay up to date with news from Sight Loss Councils and Thomas Pocklington Trust by signing up to our mailing list.
Publication date: 11 November 2024