Making your business accessible is the right thing, but it can also have some great benefits. Employees who feel included and valued are more likely to be productive and loyal to your company. In addition, potential clients or customers who see that you are making an effort to be accessible will appreciate your commitment to diversity and inclusion.
There are many different ways to make a business more accessible, and we will look at a few of them.
Installing ramps or elevators
If your business is located in a building with stairs, installing a ramp can make it more accessible for employees and clients who use wheelchairs or have difficulty walking. Likewise, if your business is located on a higher floor, installing an elevator can make it easier for people to get around.
Both ramps and elevators can be expensive to install, but government programs or tax credits often can help offset the cost. By installing ramps or elevators, you can make your business more accessible without breaking the bank.
Providing sign language interpreters
If you have employees or clients who are deaf or hard of hearing, providing sign language interpreters can make communication easier. This is a great way to show your commitment to inclusion and make sure that everyone feels welcome at your business.
This will also require some training for your staff to communicate with the interpreter and understand what is being said. Clients will appreciate the effort you’ve made to accommodate their needs, and your employees will be better equipped to serve them.
Use computer software for vision and hearing impairment
Several computer programs can help people with vision or hearing impairment. These programs can make it easier for people to use a computer and provide alternate ways to access information.
Schools, businesses, and government organizations are using software for the hearing impaired to make their services more accessible. These programs include screen readers, which read text aloud, and text-to-speech software, which converts text into speech.
Many software programs can help people with vision impairment. These programs can enlarge text, change the screen’s color, or provide audio descriptions of images.
Using these computer programs can make your business more accessible to people with vision or hearing impairments.
Having large print versions of documents available
Many businesses provide large print versions of their documents for employees and clients who have difficulty reading small text. This is a great way to ensure that everyone can access the information they need, regardless of their reading ability.
Large print versions of documents can be made in various formats, such as PDFs, Word documents, or HTML. Several software programs can convert text into large print.
Offering training on disability etiquette
Disability etiquette is a term used to describe how we should interact with people who have disabilities. It is important to remember that people with disabilities are just like everyone else, and they deserve to be treated with respect.
There are a few things that we can do to make sure that we are being disability etiquette:
- Use people’s first language. This means that we should refer to the person, not the disability. For example, we would say “person with a disability” instead of “disabled person.”
- Be patient. People with disabilities may take longer to do things or may need help. It is important to be patient and understand that they are doing the best they can.
- Ask before you help. People with disabilities are often independent and don’t need or want help. It is important to ask before you try to help someone to respect their wishes.
- Be respectful of personal space. People with disabilities may have a different comfort levels regarding personal space. It is important to respect their wishes and not invade their personal space.
By following these simple tips, we can ensure that we are being disability etiquette. This will create a more inclusive environment for everyone.
Allowing service animals in the office
Many businesses allow service animals in the office. This is a great way to show your commitment to diversity and inclusion, and it can also be a great way to improve employee productivity.
Service animals are dogs or other animals that have been trained to help people with disabilities. They can support people who have difficulty walking, seeing, or hearing. They can also provide emotional support for people who have anxiety or depression.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, accessibility is about making sure that everyone can participate in life. By making your business accessible, you show your commitment to diversity and inclusion. There are many different ways to make your business more accessible, such as providing large print documents or allowing service animals in the office. Whatever you do, remember that accessibility is about creating an inclusive environment for everyone.
