Hebden Bridge Disability Access Forum (HBDAF) is a working group of Hebden Royd Town Council, formed in 2016 with the aim of improving access to life in general, in the Hebden Royd area.
The group warmly welcomes new members who are D/deaf, disabled and/or neurodivergent, or who have long-term health conditions. We also welcome non-disabled associates to assist us in our work.
HBDAF works to raise awareness of disability issues and access needs in the area, and to make our area a disabled-friendly place. We published a Step-Free Access Map and Guide to Hebden Bridge town centre (pictured below).
Hebden Bridge Access Map/Access guide
You can download a copy of the map here for free, or collect a free paper copy from either the Hebden Royd Town Council Office, or Hebden Bridge Town Hall reception.
We first published the map in 2018, and have made changes to the Step Free Guide over time as shops, cafes and other businesses have changed hands since the last update in 2023. The map is very popular with residents and visitors to the town. Websites for local events, including Happy Valley Pride, Open Studios and Hebden Bridge Film Festival, have included it in their marketing.
We circulate the map widely around the disabled community in Calderdale and beyond, which increases visitor numbers and customers for Hebden Bridge. Accessible towns, and accessible businesses, get a big share of the Purple Pound, the £274 billion annual spending power of disabled people and their households. Disabled people often visit towns with their family members, or with friends, neighbours or support workers. So businesses gain the trade of whole groups, not just disabled individuals.
HBDAF can also advise on portable ramps where pavements are wide enough, and advise on improving general access to premises and businesses. Subject to our capacity, as we are a group of volunteers. For example, We recently gave one of our long-term loan portable ramps to Goo Cheese (and café) on Albert Street.
HBDAF promote the Social Model of Disability, which says that people with impairments are ‘disabled’ by the barriers operating in society that exclude and discriminate against them. We are always open to new members:
“We need new members to share their access concerns, suggestions and lived experiences. We welcome all d/Deaf, disabled and neurodivergent people and those with long-term health conditions.
We especially welcome younger disabled people to join us so we can better represent our diverse local disabled community.
We also welcome non-disabled people as Associates to help us with our work.”
If you would like to join us, HBDAF meets on the third Monday of each month at 2:30pm to 4.30pm in the Terrace Room, Hebden Bridge Town Hall, St George’s St, Hebden Bridge. People can also join the same meeting by Zoom video link. You are very welcome to bring a Personal Assistant or support worker.
HBDAF Member’s Information
Would you like to join us? We are a group of volunteers with 35 members in 2024. More information here:
Campaigns
HBDAF does many things to improve access to life for disabled people in the Hebden Bridge area. Like consulting with businesses, charities and public bodies to improve access to existing and planned places, events and services.
We have successfully campaigned for Calderdale Council to remove A-boards from pavements in Hebden Bridge. We continue to campaign to remove tables and chairs which obstruct the pavement. These present a hazard to anyone using a walker, wheelchair or pram and to anyone who is blind or partially sighted. A Hebweb news article about our pavement campaign can be found by clicking HERE.
Planning and Housing Consultations
HBDAF has produced a leaflet for applicants for planning permission, building regulations approval or listed building consent. You can download the HBDAF Planning consultation leaflet below:
Access Audit Guide and Summary
Accessible Zoom and Hybrid Meetings Guide and Summary
Annual Reviews
Our Annual Reviews give a summary of some of the work HBDAF have undertaken over the years. You can download the documents below:
Partner Organisations and Useful Links
