Make Your Business More Accessible
Opening Doors
Making your business more profitable by making it accessible for both employees and customers!
- According to Statistics Canada, approximately 4.4 million people in Canada have disabilities; representing 14.3% of Canada’s population. (Currently up to almost 20% or 1 in 5 people)
- What’s the third largest market segment in the US? The answer might surprise you. It’s not a particular ethnicity, gender or age group. It’s people with disabilities. The size of this group —54 million strong (15.1%) —surpasses Hispanics, African Americans and Asian Americans, as well as Gen. X and teens. Add in their families and friends and you get a trillion dollars in purchasing power.
- Better accessibility isn’t just good for people with disabilities; it’s also good for business. According to an RBC Financial Group study, people with disabilities account for an estimated $25 billion a year in consumer spending in this country, and influence the spending decisions of twelve to fifteen million other Canadians.
How you can make your business Accessible
- Review and implement Customer Service Standards immediately so that persons with disabilities feel welcome in your place of business
- Install an accessible customer service desk (or portion of it) with a 30” high counter, open underneath
- Have staff come around a high desk
- Have a clipboard at desk to hand to clients
- Have a chair for people to sit while completing their transaction
- Have proper levels of lighting throughout business if possible
- Keep background noise to a minimum
- Improve your signage (use icons) and way finding signs (high contrast)
- Make at least one washroom accessible
- Remove clutter – keep aisles min. 36” wide
- Remove A-frames and sales merchandise from sidewalks or keep to one side
- Do not have low hanging objects
- Improve flooring surface with low pile carpet and secure to floor
- Add vision strips to glass doors
- Make websites friendly to persons with disabilities
- Provide delivery services free or at a nominal fee for persons with disabilities
- Provide large print menu’s / audio menu’s (MP3)
- Designate parking spaces for person’s with disabilities close to the front entrance and NOT across a path of vehicle traffic
- Provide a canopy or covered area at front entrance to keep it clear of snow, ice and rain
- Install larger paddle handles on doors and ensure doors are easy to swing open
- Install exterior grab bars or railings at steps
- Install power door operators – or train staff to watch the doors and open it for persons with disabilities respectfully
- Install a ramp, stair lift or vertical platform lift or elevator
Walker or Rollator?
For many people, a little extra assistance with walking longer distances can be very beneficial. If a cane is no longer providing the proper support then most therapists or doctors will recommend a rollator or walker. In the past few years there have been numerous changes in the designs of walkers making them lighter and much easier to fold. The new rollators even come in a multitude of colours making them fun as well as functional! When choosing a rollator or walker there are a number of important considerations:
Will you be using it outdoors as well as indoors?
If using it outdoors you should consider looking at a rollator with larger wheels on it as they will be more stable outside. Wider wheels also track better over rougher surfaces.
Will you be lifting onto a bus, up stairs, or into a vehicle?
Lighter weight walkers are better if you are lifting the walker. You also want to look at whether you have to remove the basket before it can be folded and if so how easy is it to remove.
Do you have limited space for storing it?
If you have a small home you should look at walkers that fold up smaller and can stand on their own when folded so they can easily be stored in a closet or hallway.
Do you need financial assistance to cover 75% to 100% of the cost of purchasing the walker or rollator?
We can work with you to determine what funding you would be eligible for and walk you through the application process. We are authorized vendors for the various provincial funding programs, Veteran’s Affairs Canada and Workplace Safety and Insurance Board. We also work directly with insurance companies.
A properly fitted walker/rollator should greatly reduce the risk of a person from falling and injuring themselves as they provide support when someone is feeling off balance. On the other hand, a poorly fitted walker can actually cause more strain on knee joints (wrong seat height) and the back (wrong handle height). Rollators also have seats built into them to provide a convenient and comfortable resting spot as needed.
At Living Well HME we work with people to make sure they get the proper rollator or walker for them.
Frequently Asked Questions
My mom is at home alone now so what can I do to make sure she is safe in her home?
There are many items available at all our locations to make sure your mom’s home is as safe as possible. Some of these items include bathroom safety, such as grab bars, bath chairs, raised toilet seats etc. Also included are lift chairs and stair lifts, to name a few. Please contact our product consultants to discuss all options that are available.
I purchased my scooter from another company, will your company repair it?
Yes, we service most models of scooters regardless of where they were purchased.
Dad is getting out of the hospital soon and he is still a bit weak, when walking what would you suggest?
You may want to rent a 2-wheeled walker or transport chair to help them get around.
What is the difference in compression socks?
Compression stockings are available in a variety of materials, lengths, and compression strengths. 8-15 mmHg are your basic diabetic sock; 15-20 are also available over the counter and 20-30 mmHg and above are prescription grade and a special order. This grade of compression requires a prescription from a doctor stating the strength and length (e.g. calf or thigh). You will need to be measured by one of our certified compression stocking fitters.
I am having knee surgery next month; can I rent or purchase the items I need?
We rent a variety of equipment for your post-surgical needs. You may also choose to purchase the equipment. If you decide to purchase the equipment after one moth of your rental the cost will be deducted from the purchase price.
I am moving my parents into my home and are using a wheelchair; what are my options to make the front of my home accessible?
We have service technicians that will come out and assess your home and make recommendations, such as ramps, and lifts (there are many different options for lifts).
How often should I change my CPAP mask?
If you have insurance coverage it is a good idea to check with them to see how often they will replace them. Most insurance companies will replace your mask every 6 months, but you should replace the mask at least once a year. All other supplies such as water chamber and hose are usually covered by insurance companies once a year.
How often should I change the filters in my CPAP machine?
CPAP filters should be changed one a month. Dream Station machines have a secondary filter as well and this filter should be changed every 6 months.
I purchased a new mask and it is not comfortable, what can I do?
If your mask was purchased from Living Well it comes with a 30-day guarantee. Just call to book and appointment with one of our CPAP Specialist and they will help you find a mask that works for you.