Access for All - a basic human right
We want everyone to be able to access our products, our stores and the services we provide. This is why Co-operative stores are located in the heart of communities. We are also ensuring that our new and refurbished stores incorporate features making them more accessible to all shoppers.
We adopted the Institute of Grocery Distribution guidelines for operability, legibility and tactile information on Co-operative own brand products.
The Co-operative is proud to be the first to introduce Braille onto the packaging of its own brand range of medicines to help blind people to identify between different medicines in their home.
What's more, most of the information we publish is now available on request in Braille, large print or on cassette because we feel everyone has a right to know about issues that concern them. Just contact our Customer Relations team.
1995 - Adoption of Packaging Guidelines
Institute of Grocery Distribution (IGD) guidelines are adopted for legibility, operability and
tactile information on the packaging of Co-operative Brand household products such as bleach.
1995 - Store Design
Access friendly criteria are adopted, ensuring that new and refurbished stores incorporate features making them more
accessible to shoppers. Stores meeting a range of criteria are awarded Access Plaques.
1995 - Age Concern Training
The Co-operative joins with Age Concern to introduce 'Through other Eyes' training, to help staff appreciate the
difficulties experienced by older people and those with disabilities.
1999 - Access to Information
The Co-operative provides even greater access to information for its customers who have hearing or sight
disabilities. Co-operative information is now available on request in Braille, Large Print, on Cassette and a freephone Minicom line installed -
this work played a key role in winning the Getting the Message Across Award which is a very prestigious award within the disability
field.
2001 - Braille on Co-operative Brand Medicines
The Co-operative becomes the first retailer to introduce Braille onto its own brand range of medicines.
2001 - Braille on Spirits
The Co-operative is the first retailer to include Braille labels on some of its own-brand alcoholic drinks. The move
coincides with the launch of two new premium spirits - whisky and vodka - just in time for Christmas.
2001 - 2002 - Braille Awards
The Co-operative's innovative development of Braille on packaging is recognized by receiving 3 prestigious
industry awards.
2002 - Braille Ready Meals
The Co-operative expands the range of products that carry Braille to many chilled and frozen ready meals.