Become Accessible and "They Will Come" - "Yah Right!"

"It costs too much... We never get customers or job candidates with disabilities so why be accessible... I had one bad customer with a disability, and I don't want to attract any more... When we do make ourselves accessible, no people with disabilities come."

These are just some of the comments organizations use for not being accessible to people with disabilities. For the most part becoming accessible costs relatively little. Potential customers and job candidates with disabilities will remain invisible as long as they know you are inaccessible. There are bad customers everywhere whether they are disabled or not. People with disabilities will come to you if you are accessible physically and in attitude and like every other customer, you have what they want.

If becoming accessible was as easy as the popular line "Build it and they will come" from the movie, Field of Dreams, we would all be laughing, and there would be no need to write about the following reasons why accessibility is important- as it would be a given that accessibility is a right for everyone, good for business, and good for the community.

Being accessible is important because...

1. It benefits everyone.

Many modifications to improve access have eased life's pace for everyone. Accessible public transit, ramps, and automated doors have improved the life for a parent carrying a baby and stroller, children, families, the elderly, and people loaded down with packages. Furthermore, if you are reading this through a 21-inch monitor, over 10 years ago, your same monitor would have been considered adaptive technology to computer users with limited vision. Everyone has taken advantage of these user friendly and now mainstream amenities (and "must haves"). We must therefore remind ourselves that there may be a time in our lives when such amenities become a godsend to us because of an injury, disability, or becoming older - what becomes nice to have then becomes a necessity. We must thus support initiatives that will improve accessibility for all.

2. It makes good business sense.

Businesses, governments, non-profit groups, and other service providers should realize that with so many Canadians with disabilities, they are missing a good proportion of potential customers. For example, many businesses have put in TTY machines on their premises (a special phone used by people who are deaf or hard of hearing) and have tapped into a completely new market.

With our aging population coupled with people living longer (and not necessarily in good health), it also makes good economic sense that businesses, governments, and other organizations become more prepared to serve this customer base. The Baby Boomers are a demanding and influential market now and will be in the future. In addition, at the other end of the spectrum, the same can be said of children, youth, and younger adults with disabilities. They are increasing in numbers as well.

This is a missed opportunity to capitalize on the rising income of many in this population - many of whom have more discretionary income than the general population. Ignoring this segment in many cases creates a ripple effect in potential lost revenue. That is, if they feel they cannot access the service or product, their families, co-workers, colleagues, clients and friends will not use it either if it is a joint experience - for example, going out to eat or the movies, because the site is inaccessible.

The public appreciates organizations that make themselves accessible to people with disabilities. This supports building a good community image that leads to more customers and clients supporting these organizations.

3. It opens doors to more choice of talented staff and employees

We often hear about the skill shortages that numerous industries are facing. Also joining the ranks of job seekers with disabilities is a growing number of skilled and experienced professionals and trades people with disabilities who are finding it difficult to find sustainable employment - including those in careers that are suppose to be facing skill shortages - even though they are fully capable of working. Tapping into this pool of underutilized population group would be a boon to any business.

4. In many cases it is part of the building code and the law

In many jurisdictions, the building code only sets the minimum standards for disability access. It does not necessarily meet the needs of people with disabilities for today and even back when it was written.

Complaints against an organization (even those that meet the minimum standards) spread much faster than praises. Unfortunately, it seems people are more apt to remember the bad than the good. Therefore, it is prudent to take proactive steps in making one's place accessible rather than reactive ones.

By showing what one is doing to become more disability friendly, and the willingness to learn more, this will greatly improve one's profile, credibility, and esteem within the community.

5. It is just the right thing to do.

People with disabilities have the same desires and rights as everyone else. Any barrier that prevents them from participating fully in the community, economy, and workplace hurts everyone.

 

As you can see, accessibility is far more than just putting a ramp up into a building. More importantly, it requires removing stereotypes about who people with disabilities are and what they are like and then truly wanting to embrace an inclusive, accessible community, economy, and workplace. When this is done, perhaps, just perhaps, "they will come"...and stay.