Business Owners and Managers, there is an untapped market out there. Have you invited people with disabilities to come to your store or use your service?
Business Access for Profit
Did you know?
The large and growing market of people with disabilities has $175 billion in discretionary spending, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. $175 billion is almost two times the spending power of teens and more than 17 times the spending power of tweens (8-12 year-olds), two demographics highly sought after by businesses.
The percentage of people with disabilities is larger than any single ethnic, racial, or cultural group in the U.S. At 19.3%, the number of people with disabilities exceeds the next largest group — Hispanic people (14.9%) — by a fairly wide margin.
Yet despite their numbers, people with disabilities are faced regularly with inaccessible business practices a trend that leaves them looking for businesses that want their business and demonstrate that by providing access and services that make their experience a pleasant one.
How can your business access customers with disabilities?
Department of Justice has provided:
Reaching Out to Customers with Disabilities
A free online course for businesses.
Ten Small Business Mistakes
A free online 13-minute video.
ADA Business Connection
This is a great business access resource!
For in-depth evaluation of your business PACE can provide a consultation and recommend access features that will assist businesses in attracting customers with disabilities. We can evaluate your business and suggest things you can do that make using your business attractive to customers with disabilities. There is a $50.00/hr fee per consultant. Non profit fees are available. Call 217 344-5433 for more information.
Tip: Remember to advertise your access features when you advertise your business. For instance if you have a TTY (telecommunication device for the deaf) print that number along side your voice phone number every time you publish your voice phone number. The deaf community will know you care about their access.
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