Creating a more accessible business

Making it easier for customers to access your business in the City of Belmont can have a positive impact for all of your customers, including customers with a disability and their carers, families and friends.

It is estimated that 4.3 million Australians have disability, which includes:
 

• People who are blind or visually impaired
• People with learning or intellectual disabilities
• People who are deaf or hard of hearing
• People with a physical disability who may use a wheelchair, mobility scooter or walking frame
• People who are elderly or frail
• People with long-term illnesses
• People with mental health or psychological difficulties

More than half of people aged 55 years and over experience difficulties with mobility, sight or hearing, though they may not consider themselves to have a disability. Other groups who can benefit from a more accessible business include:
 

• Parents or carers of young children – particularly those with strollers or prams
• Delivery people
• Shoppers with heavy bags
• Every customer – especially when it’s busy

Accessible Business Program

The City’s Accessible Business Program has been designed to help City of Belmont Businesses to remove barries and become more accessible for people living with disability as well as those with age-related mobility impairments, people using prams and people living with dementia.

Our program has been designed to scale to businesses of any size, revenue or resources, meaning achievable changes – big or small – can always be identified and actioned for the benefit of people living with disability. By completing the program, your business will receive accreditation and ‘friendly for all’ decals to be displayed on your premises as well as opening yourself to a larger customer base.

To learn more and express your interest in joining the program, visit our Belmont Connect program page and start reading the Accessible Business Program Guide.

Tips to make your business more inclusive and accessible

Here are some ways you could make your business more welcoming and accessible to everyone in the community:
 

• Consider easy access in the design of your business, including doorways, entry points and change rooms;
• Make sure your marketing materials and signage are easy to read and understand;
• Have an accessible toilet, or make sure staff know the location of one closest to your business;
• Think about how you can accommodate all customers and any assistance animals with your cash register positions, product displays and seating;
• Let your customers know about your accessible features on your website or marketing materials so they can know what to expect when they visit.

If you would like some more ideas on how to make your business more accessible and inclusive, email community.development@belmont.wa.gov.au or phone the City’s Seniors and Disability Engagement Officer on 9477 7219.