Accessibility is a must for any business. But while some businesses go all out to be an accessible space, others can fall short. Often it’s not through lack of trying, but more lack of understanding what makes a building accessible.
For example, there’s no point having a ramp up into the building if you’re then faced with heavy doors. It limits lone wheelchair users and makes it hard for people with prams. But wheelchair access isn’t the only type of accessibility that needs to be catered for. There are lots of hidden disabilities that need catering for too.
By being mindful of your customer base, and creating an accessible environment your business will flourish and your customers will be very happy.
Making Your Business More Accessible
There are lots of ways you can improve a businesses accessibility, and as a business owner, implementing as many of these as you can should be your main aim. An accessible business is a thriving one, but more important than that, inclusion of everyone should be at the forefront of your mind.
Wheelchair and pram access
While wheelchair access should be every businesses priority, anything you do for a wheelchair will have a positive effect for parents with prams too. So by making wheelchair access easy, you’re actually attracting two sets of customers who you might have missed out on previously.
Simple things like ramps up to the property and automatic doors are essential, but on top of that, other areas of improvement should be looked into. A wheelchair lift is also something every business should have if there are higher floors to the building.
Wider walkways are great for allowing my access to wheelchairs and buggies, as well as a wheelchair or pram store out of the way for those who can use other seating.
Adult changing area
Businesses that require a toilet should be mindful of all customers hygiene needs. It’s often commonplace to combine a disabled toilet with a baby change station, but larger children and adult changing areas are often overlooked, leaving no choice but for the person needing changing to be laid on a dirt floor. A truly accessible toilet will have a special changing area that allows children and adults to be changed somewhere that is comfortable and clean.
A portable hearing loop
Hearing aid uses might well be able to pick up more sound with a hearing aid in, but that amplification has no discretion and all background sounds can be louder too. This makes it harder to someone using a hearing aid to make out what is being said if the noise levels are high.
A portable hearing loop can change that for them. They retail around £120 and are designed to create a channel of communication. The hearing aid user should turn their setting to the ‘T’ position and the person speaking to them should speak into the loop. This should help amplify the person talking, while disregarding any background sounds. This is particularly helpful in shops, cafes and any customer service settings.
Online accessibility
Not all accessibility needs to be done in person. If your business has a website, making that accessible is also a must. For those with visual impairments, it’s essential to make your web pages as screen-reader friendly as possible. This means things like adding alt text to images to describe them so a visually impaired person knows what is happening on the page. Likewise, if you have any video content, closed captions make that more accessible to anyone who is hard of hearing.