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Good access means good business
Attracting customers to your business is a vital part of any business plan. With approximately 20% of the Australian population identifying as having a disability, catering to these potential customers could make the difference to a successful business.
To make sure your business is attracting all your potential customers, it’s important to make your business accessible to the whole community. Can all your customers access your business and find the right information about your product and/or services?
Here are some tips on how you could improve the access to your business
(taken from How to make your business more accessible from Hobsons Bay City Council, November 2006)
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Make sure the entrance is clearly visible and free of clutter and obstructions. Make the doorway as wide as possible and remove any steps or lips. |
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Provide good lighting and legible signage with clear contrast between the text and the background. |
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Make sure the path of travel from car parking is accessible for all your customers. |
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Aisles a minimum of 1.2 metres wide, counters between 750-800mm high and shelves up to 1350mm high will suit people standing or in a wheelchair. |
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Provide seating with armrests so that customers can rest. |
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Provide staff training that focuses on the person and not the disability. Just treat each person as an individual and don’t be afraid to ask questions. |
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Welcome guide dogs but never pat or offer food to the dog. It is a working animal under the control of its owner. It is illegal to refuse entry to a person and their guide dog. |
Good access to your business can bring a number of benefits to your business – not just for people with a disability. Parents with young children, the elderly and other customers who may need some assistance accessing your business will benefit from your business being more accessible.
WISE Employment believes in good access for its clients. WISE Employment Newport’s office is proud to have won the Hobsons Bay City Council 2006 Good Access Awards. The awards acknowledge businesses that have facilities and services that are accessible for people with a disability.
Newport Site Manager, Donna Tairua, decided to nominate her team for the award when they were contacted by a representative from Hobsons Bay Council.
“The representative from Hobsons Bay Council had visited our office,” Donna said.
“She was impressed by our facilities and the customer service, and encouraged us to nominate for the award,” Donna said.
Good access has helped the WISE Employment Newport office to attract a wide range of clients to their service.
“We are really proud to have won the award,” she said.
“Good access helps us to provide a quality service to the whole Hobsons Bay community.”
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