Hidden ‘time tax’ exposes everyday cost of poor accessibility information
New data compiled by disabled access charity Euan’s Guide has revealed thousands of disabled people across the UK are spending hours every week navigating poor accessibility information.
Nearly two thirds (65%) say they lose more than an hour each week due to the hidden ‘accessibility time tax’.
Findings from the latest Euan’s Guide Access Survey revealed that one in 10 disabled people spend more than six hours a week planning routine activities, while 80% said checking the accessibility of venues increases their stress and anxiety.
The disabled access charity Euan’s Guide, supported by the Motability Scheme, is calling on businesses and service providers to review the information they publish online, ensuring it is clear, accurate and easy to find.
It also asks that disabled people are directly involved in designing and validating access information so it reflects lived experience.
From visiting a shop to catching a train or attending an event, disabled people have to carry out extensive research before leaving the house or preparing for the simplest of outings.
This additional time, effort, and emotional strain that non disabled people do not have to face creates a significant barrier to participation and is often referred to as the ‘accessibility time tax’.
More than half (54%) of respondents said they felt excluded or left behind, while 47% reported missing out on opportunities altogether.
Euan’s Guide said the findings highlight a systemic issue in how services are designed and maintained with many organisations failing to provide up-to-date and reliable accessibility information.
Some 85 per cent of disabled people said that better access information would significantly reduce the impact of the accessibility time tax on their lives, allowing them to plan with confidence and participate fully in everyday life.
Seven in 10 (70%) said being able to book accessible tickets, facilities, or services online would make planning easier and reliable.
Now in its 12th year, the Euan’s Guide Access Survey remains the UK’s largest and longest-running study of its kind.
Supported by the Motability Scheme, the new report analysed feedback from over 4,000 participants, 88 per cent of whom identify as disabled, to provide a sobering look at the state of accessibility today.
Kiki MacDonald OBE, co-founder of Euan’s Guide, said: “Accessibility isn’t just about ramps and toilets; it’s about time and autonomy.
“The accessibility time tax is a heavy burden that society continues to place on disabled people. By providing clear, honest access information, venues can give disabled people their time back and gain a loyal customer base in the process.
“60 per cent of disabled people are losing hours every single week to the mental and physical stress of researching basic access. Whether it’s double-checking that an accessible toilet actually exists or being forced to change plans at the last minute because of a lack of accessible parking, this wasted time is a barrier to independence.”
Lisa Thomas, Chief Marketing and Customer Officer at Motability Operations, which runs the Motability Scheme, said: “The Motability Scheme is about independence and freedom, helping disabled people get to work, education and medical appointments with confidence.
“But independence is not just about having a vehicle. If disabled people are losing hours every week because accessibility information is unclear or unreliable, that becomes a barrier in itself.
“Clear and accurate information reduces stress and gives people certainty. We are proud to support Euan’s Guide in asking for practical changes that give disabled people their time back.”
