Latest MEA Tourism Training Opportunities

MEA Embracing Accessible & Inclusive Tourism Programme 2026

Programme Outline

Did you know that 95% of disabled people look for accessibility information before going somewhere new or unfamiliar? The Mid and East Antrim (MEA) Embracing Accessible & Inclusive Tourism Programme has been designed to provide tourism and hospitality businesses with the skills and knowledge to improve the service they offer to customers with a disability and to provide the vital accessibility information needed before choosing to visit somewhere for the first time.  

This is a programme for small to medium 'bricks and mortar' businesses (i.e. accommodation providers, visitor attractions & hospitality) incorporating an industry recognised accessibility assessment developed with AccessAble.  There are 2 elements to the programme:

Part A:  Register for a discounted accessibility assessment.  This will produce an online guide giving factual information, it is not a user review or rating. AccessAble will also be able to provide you with an accessibility improvement report, giving you some ideas on accessibility improvements for the future, and tips on inclusive marketing.   You will be required to sign up to a service level agreement and pay directly to AccessAble.  Details here: https://youraccessibilityguide.co.uk/AboutDAG 

Businesses can select their preferred method of creating these reports.
Option 1: Guided Assessment (Easy Online Video Call)
Get assessed through a live video call with an AccessAble surveyor. Using Microsoft Teams, you simply walk them through your venue using your smartphone, while they capture all the required accessibility details. It’s a fast, friendly and cheaper way for SMEs to produce a Detailed Access Guide without an on‑site visit but businesses will have responsibility for collating measurements and some information.
Option 2: On‑Site Assessment (Full In‑Person Survey)
Prefer a more comprehensive approach? An AccessAble surveyor can visit your venue in person to collect detailed, verified accessibility information. This option provides the most complete assessment and is ideal for venues seeking an in‑depth, fully assured Detailed Access Guide.

Part B: Undertake MyTourismNI accessible and inclusive e-learning modules including Tourism NI's Inclusive & Accessible Tourism Toolkit and Inclusive Tourism Communications.  More information on this flexible, online training is available here:  https://mytourismni.com/course/index.php?categoryid=56

* Please note: 

• As part of the programme, the Council will fund 75% of the cost of the initial accessibility assessment. To receive a quote for your AccessAble assessment email contactus@youraccessibilityguide.co.uk with the name, address and a description of your business. If you are accepted onto this programme, Council Officers will provide you with a discount code to use when placing your final order directly with AccessAble, which must be completed within one week of confirmation. 
• Any future updates or ongoing annual costs associated with publicising your information on AccessAble will be the responsibility of the business. (After initial 18 months, a repeat listing is approx.  £20 to £70 per annum, with actual cost dependant on the property size.  Additional charges will be incurred if surveyor reassessments are needed).

Benefits of the Programme

• Development of skills and knowledge necessary to deliver excellent customer service to a wide range of unique customers.
• A detailed access guide AND an accessibility improvement report to serve your existing customers better and reach new customers.
• Promotion on the AccessAble consumer website with 6M+ audience. - see examples here:  www.accessable.co.uk/northern-ireland/mid-and-east-antrim/
• Future publicity on the MEA Shaped by Sea and Stone tourism website, which will have a section developed to actively promote accessibility and inclusion.  

Programme Criteria

To be considered eligible for this programme, subsidised by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, you will be required to meet the following criteria: 

Essential Criteria

1. An established small to medium tourism or hospitality business, with bricks and mortar premises located and operational in Mid and East Antrim.  (Excludes hotels)  Hospitality businesses must have sit in facilities available.  Accommodation providers must be certified by Tourism NI.*
2. Business must be in operation for a minimum of one year and committed to operating for at least another 3 years.
3. Motivated to provide a more accessible and inclusive visitor experience.
4. Have an existing listing on discovernorthernireland.com OR be prepared to get listed before assessment  (Council Officers will be happy to assist you to get listed.) 
5. Provide an outline quotation for your AccessAble assessment, identifying whether guided OR onsite assessment by emailing contactus@youraccessibilityguide.co.uk with the name, address and a description of your business.
6. Agree to permit access, either in person or by video call, to your property within the next 3 months, by an AccessABle surveyor during a mutually agreeable time.
7. Prepared to undertake MyTourismNI accessible and inclusive e-learning modules.

* Please note that the programme is only available for one venue that you own, for example, if you own three self-catering cottages, the discounted assessment can only apply to one).

As budget is limited, a space cannot be guaranteed and should the programme be oversubscribed a further screening process will be undertaken, with applicants assessed against the following additional criteria:

Desirable criteria

1.   Plans to pro-actively promote to this target market. 
2.   Plans to use these skills and information in the future.
3.   Plans to implement potential improvements recommended by your accessibility assessment in the future.
4.   Committed to annually renewing your online AccessAble business listing at your own expense. (see above)
5.   Existing website provision to upload AccessAble assessment information.

Submission Details

Closing date for completed application forms is 9am on Monday 9 March 2026. Apply HERE.

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council will assess all applications against qualifying criteria.  If successful, Council Officers will aim to confirm your place on the programme within 5 working days.

Upon acceptance onto the programme you will need to complete a service level agreement and separate registration / payment with AccessAble to conduct your Accessibility Assessment, based on instructions provided by Council Officers.  This must be completed and payment made to AccessAble within one week of notification.  This 25% payment will be non-refundable. 

If you have any queries please email tourism@midandeastantrim.gov.uk.

Examples of Financial Support

Here are a few examples of approximate costs to specific businesses:

Bed and Breakfast / Guest House
Communal areas of the property including parking, check in, breakfast area/restaurant and 1 example bedroom with ensuite to be surveyed in detail: 
Onsite Surveyor:  £445 + VAT (£534 inc. VAT) with 75% Council support = £133.50
Guided Survey:  £215 + VAT (£258 inc. VAT) with 75% Council support = £64.50

Communal areas of the property including parking, check in, breakfast area/restaurant and 2 example bedrooms with ensuite to be surveyed in detail:
Onsite Surveyor:  £500 + VAT (£600 inc. VAT) with 75% Council support = £150
Guided Survey: £270 + VAT (£324 inc. VAT) with 75% Council support = £81.00

Self Catering or Holiday Home
Communal areas of the property including parking, kitchen, lounge, dining, downstairs bathroom, garden and 1 example bedroom with ensuite to be surveyed in detail:
Onsite Surveyor:  £445 + VAT (£534 inc. VAT) with 75% Council support = £133.50
Guided Survey:  £215 + VAT (£258 inc. VAT) with 75% Council support = £64.50

Communal areas of the property including parking, kitchen, lounge, dining, downstairs bathroom, garden and 2 example bedrooms with ensuite to be surveyed in detail 
Onsite Surveyor:   £500 + VAT (£600 inc. VAT) with 75% Council support = £150
Guided Survey: £270 + VAT (£324 inc. VAT) with 75% Council support = £81

Café, Shop, Restaurant, Pub or Bar
Including parking, most accessible entrance, communal areas including seating and access to the bar/counter and an overview of toilet facilities with the most accessible surveyed in detail:
Onsite Surveyor:   £340 + VAT (£408 inc. VAT) with 75% Council support = £102
Guided Survey: £165 + VAT (£198 inc. VAT) with 75% Council support = £49.50

Golf Club
Including parking, most accessible entrance, two changing facilities, an overview of toilet facilities with the most accessible surveyed in detail, access to the course, overview of buggy hire, bar and function room:
Onsite Surveyor:    £545 + VAT (£654 inc. VAT) with 75% Council support = £163.50
Guided Survey: £265 + VAT (£318 inc. VAT) with 75% Council support = £79.50

View our previous training opportunities here.