A business leader with a severely autistic son has set up a social enterprise to help companies tap into the \u00a3249 billion of spending power of disabled people in the UK.<\/p>\n
Davina Carey-Evans, who runs the Anglesey-based event and marketing company Sbarc, set up Piws (Welsh for purple) as a Community Interest Company to help businesses make venues more accessible to everyone.<\/p>\n
The aim is to\u00a0 reduce isolation and encourage access so everyone, including those with hidden disabilities, can enjoy community lifestyle activities across North Wales.<\/p>\n
Mum-of-three Davina, who hails from Criccieth, has first-hand knowledge of the difficulties faced by people with hidden disabilities through her son Benjamin, 25.<\/p>\n
According to Davina, she wants to help companies make simple changes that will improve accessibility in restaurants, bars, activities and attractions.<\/p>\n
The annual spending power of the disabled community in the UK is \u00a3249 billion so tapping into the so-called \u2018Purple Pound\u2019 made good financial sense.<\/p>\n
Davina said: \u201cBenjie is severely autistic and non-verbal but outwardly he has no visible disability. He\u2019s six foot five and a big man but has the abilities of a young child.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s totally reliant on people to guide him. Growing up people would look at him just believing he was a naughty or unruly child as his disability was hidden.<\/p>\n
\u201cBenjie would do things that were totally inappropriate and it was always difficult. I remember so well going, as a family, to an attraction and within minutes of going I knew Benjie was going to lose it. He was over stimulated.<\/p>\n
\u201cI asked the guy at the entrance if we could just leave but was told no, we had to use the exit at the other end of the attraction. You\u2019re unable to stand your ground as you can\u2019t afford to cause more growing anxiety.<\/p>\n
\u201cBefore I could stop him Benjy picked up a child from out of a pushchair and threw the child before getting in the pushchair himself. Understandably people were horrified but that whole situation was unnecessary and could have been avoided.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople would look at me and shake their heads, I don\u2019t blame them for not understanding. His disability was hidden and no one knew. Things got so much better when I bought a supply of T-shirts with the message \u2018I\u2019m not naughty I\u2019m autistic\u2019 on the front.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople then seemed to accept his disability and understand that while he may appear \u2018normal\u2019 he isn\u2019t.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have to somehow get away from thinking that disability is linked to wheelchair use, it isn\u2019t there are lots and lots of disabled people that may outwardly show no sign of disability.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s about accessibility not disability. It\u2019s about making sure, for example, that someone who is using a colostomy bag or similar product can use a disabled toilet in a public place without being judged simply because they look like they haven\u2019t got a disability normal.\u201d<\/p>\n
Davina wants to raise awareness and increase the use of disabled symbols.<\/p>\n
She added: \u201cThe blue badge wheelchair symbol represents all disabilities but there are 36 symbols representing all conditions but only 20 per cent are supported by the wheelchair symbol. We need to promote more symbolism opportunities.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need to encourage recognition that hidden disabilities are not affecting just a small minority and instead show that it is a normal part of life and that 80 per cent of disabilities registered have hidden impairments.<\/p>\n
Half the households in the UK have a connection to disability and there are 11.5 million registered disabled people in the UK.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe also need to promote the fact that 31 per cent of the UK workforce have been formally diagnosed with a mental health issue.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe aim of Piws, which is a not-for-profit-company, is to encourage access for all to enjoy, to participate and be part of community lifestyle activities.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s important everyone can feel confident in visiting various locations in the knowledge that we will be welcomed, understood and catered for.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt this time Piws is being run as a pilot giving it time to build public feedback and support, plus bring on more expertise in all areas of accessibility from nappy changing facilities to gender neutral toilets and from automatic doors to quiet spaces.\u201d<\/p>\n
Picture: Davina with her three boys on a day out.\u00a0 Benjie now has 2 to 1, 24 hour support \u2013 can you spot which is Benjie?<\/p>\n