Nationwide commits to accessibility with detailed access guides for every branch

At Euan’s Guide, we hear the same thing time and time again: the biggest barrier for disabled people isn’t always physical access - it’s the lack of clear, reliable information.

That’s why we’re so encouraged to see Nationwide Building Society take a major step forward by publishing detailed access guides for all 605 of its branches. It’s a significant moment, not just for banking, but for what good accessibility practice can look like across any sector.

Nationwide’s guides, developed in partnership with AccessAble, include practical details that genuinely help people plan, like step-free access, hearing loops, lowered counters, and British Sign Language interpreters. With over 500 guides already live and the full set due by May 2026, this is a clear commitment to doing accessibility properly.

We’re delighted that Nationwide included us in their research and consultation process as experts in the field of accessibility, especially when it comes to trusted, first-hand information from people who understand.

Without disabled access information, disabled people are left guessing about what to expect - our research from the Euan’s Guide Access Survey shows that a lack of clear access information is one of the biggest barriers.

• 50% of respondents feel unconfident about visiting a new place when thinking about accessibility
• 47% of respondents find it difficult to find the disabled access information they need to plan before they visit a new place
• 42% of respondents will avoid a venue entirely if they cannot find disabled access information, assuming it’s inaccessible

And yet, when businesses get it right, the impact is immediate.

• 70% of disabled people return to places that meet their access needs
• 66% go on to recommend them to others

Accessibility isn’t just the right thing to do. It builds trust, confidence, and long-term loyalty.

There’s also a clear economic opportunity. Often referred to as the Purple Pound, disabled households contribute £446 billion a year to the UK economy – yet many businesses are losing potential visitors simply by not sharing their disabled access information.

That’s why we fully support Nationwide’s call for all businesses to publish their accessibility information online. It’s exactly why we do what we do: EuansGuide.com was set up to help businesses share their access information easily with the people who need it most.

As our CEO, Antonia, says, “Accessibility information is about inclusion at its most basic level. It gives people the confidence to make decisions, to plan, and to take part.

We see this as more than just a positive announcement by Nationwide, it’s a call to action.

“If one organisation can do it across hundreds of locations, what’s stopping the rest?

Start by sharing your access information. It’s one of the simplest, most powerful steps you can take to make your business more inclusive and more welcoming.”

The good news is that you can start today, and you don’t need a major investment to make a meaningful difference. Sharing honest, accurate access information about your space can be transformative – simply update your website, share on social media, and claim your listing on EuansGuide.com, so disabled people choose you.