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