A business must cater to every kind of customer possible, and disabled customers are just as important as any other. At the end of the day, they’re just customers, but disabled consumers regularly face discrimination and mistreatment as they go about their day. As a company, it is your responsibility to prevent this and uphold strong ethics that are fair and inclusive.
Consequently, here are some ways you can make reasonable adjustments for disabled customers at your business premises.
Familiarity with Law
If you’re heading a business that is nervous to take the big leap and make changes for disabled access, change this instantly. This isn’t about you being moral or ethical alone. The public expects a higher standard of service, and perhaps more importantly, the law does too. There’s no excuses, and certainly no shortcuts.
Failure to adapt your business premises will see you lose customers, revenue and any reputation you worked hard to maintain. You may also flout laws and regulations that require at least a consideration of disability access to your premises. Consequently, you should thoroughly read up on what policies you must comply with to stay on the right side of the legal line and educate yourself on what’s required of you and your company. Only then can you ensure that you are qualified to cater to disabled customers.
Ramps and Lifts
For those bound by wheelchairs or other apparatus that helps them walk or move, stairs are an incredible nuisance. Furthermore, they can also detract from company time, should staff be required to help a disabled person navigate a staircase by carrying them. Of course, stairs are also necessary to keep the customer traffic flowing smoothly on site, but they also bottle neck the types of customer that can visit your company.
Therefore, a suitable alternative in ramps and lifts should be provided. Disabled persons who discover a company willing to adapt to their needs will be more inclined to return, essentially opening the doors to a new customer base. This is a change that is stark and obvious, and portrays your business as being a caring and compassionate company. Ultimately, it’s a win-win scenario for all those concerned.
Disabled Vehicles
Public transport can be difficult for people with disabilities. For example, though train carriages provide disabled areas, they are incredibly few in what can already be a carriage strapped for space. Buses are the same, as seats take up all the room and leave but a small gap for disabled folks to enjoy. What if more than 3 disabled people board a vehicle at a time?
However, specialised vehicles can get disabled people to their destination in groups. It’s more inclusive, and arguably more social due to the vehicle simply being able to fit more of them. Companies such as Allied Mobility understand this, and even go to extra lengths to incorporate additional safety methods designed for safe, positive experience.
Founder Dinis Guarda
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