Accessible Business

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The City of Maribyrnong is a vibrant municipality with a population that has a diverse range of abilities. People with disability are an integral part of our community with approximately 5% of our local population in need of assistance for core daily activities, 15% with long term health conditions and 8% providing unpaid assistance to people with disability (Source:  ABS Census 2021 Community Profile). There are over 2000 active participants in the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) in the City of Maribyrnong (as at September 2023).  

Businesses that are welcoming to people of all abilities are more likely to attract customers with disability as well as their carers, family members and friends.

For many people the level of accessibility that a business provides is important to their decision to engage with that business and ensuring that your business is accessible will benefit everyone in the community. 

People who might benefit from improved access to your goods or services include:

  • people who have impaired vision or hearing
  • people who have difficulty moving around and use a wheelchair, scooter, walking frame or crutches
  • people who have an assistance animal such as a guide dog
  • people who have difficulty speaking or understanding information
  • people with neurological conditions such as dementia
  • people with psychosocial or mental health conditions
  • family members, friends and colleagues accompanying a person with disability
  • older customers
  • parents of young children, particularly those using strollers or prams
  • people carrying heavy bags or using shopping trolleys
  • people delivering or collecting goods and other items.

Every investment or change that a business makes to increase accessibility and inclusion is an opportunity to get more business and revenue.

Online Resources

YouMeUs - Series of short videos

YouMeUS was a collaborative project between seven local governments which developed short videos for businesses to learn how they can adapt and attract more customers with disability.

  1. Assistance animals rights YouMeUs Achieving Inclusion: Assistance Animals - YouTube
  2. Catering for everyone – Attitude YouMeUs Achieving Inclusion: Catering For Everyone - YouTube
  3. Communication YouMeUs Achieving Inclusion: Jeff's Story - YouTube
  4. Access YouMeUs Achieving Inclusion: Jen's Story - YouTube
  5. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission developed the Consumer Vulnerability Guide: A business guide of Australian Consumer Law which includes a self-assessment tool for businesses to identify areas for improvement. For more information visit Consumer vulnerability: A business guide to the Australian Consumer Law | ACCC

Missed Business? - Guide for Small Business

Missed Business? is a guide for small business on how to attract more customers by providing better access to your business, this resource was a collaborative project between Marrickville Council (NSW) and Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission Missed business final revised (humanrights.gov.au)

 

Brief Guide to the Disability Discrimination Act 1992

The Federal Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA) provides protection for everyone in Australia against discrimination based on disability. It also aims to promote equal opportunity and access for people with disability.

You can find a brief guide to the Act on the Australian Human Rights Commission Website.

 

 

Learn more about Council's Disability Action Plan

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