Flagstaff has a group of Accessibility Auditors who can review your building, premises or neighbourhood and offer suggestions on how you can be accessible and inclusive to all levels of disability.

With one in five people in Australia have a disability - can your business afford not to be accessible?

Having an accessible physical space is essential to projecting to the public that a business is an inclusive one.  Thought and deliberate action as well as financial commitment is often required to make this happen.  This investment removes barriers to a significant group of potential repeat customers and this is why it makes good business sense to take steps to remove these barriers.  It is also important for business to have a social conscience and being an accessible business is a way to show this. 

Start with an Accessiblity Audit today.  Short and in-depth reports are available.

What is accessibility?

Accessibility means the removal of barriers so that everyone can have equal access. These barriers can be physical such as the lack of ramps to allow for wheelchair access.  They can also be psychological barriers such as attitudinal barriers where individuals assume someone with a speech impairment is unable to understand you or company policies that subtly discriminate against people with disabilities.  Most barriers are there because of the lack of education and awareness.  It is for this very reason that the Flagstaff Group has created the Disability Inclusion Discovery program.  Education is key.

How do you know if your venue or office premises is accessible?

The best way to to ensure accessibility is to start by conducting an accessibility audit then developing an action plan on how to remove the barriers identified during the audit.  The level of modifications would be based on what are deemed mandatory and optional.  Access auditors will be able to provide advice on what environmental adjustments are necessary for legal compliance.

Some self-assessment questions to ask:

• Are there barriers to eating areas?  
• Are walkways clear from low hanging obstructions?
• Is office equipment at a well-lit, physically accessible location where everyone that needs to use it can do so?
• Are there options for staff to work flexible hours?
• Are there multiple ways to carry out handling operations with adaptive equipment available? 
• Does the company consider inclusion and diversity in business plans and training options?
• Are managers aware that it is important for the organisation to employ people with disabilities?
• Is there a disability awareness training program in place?
• Are there ramps into the building?
• Are there accessible toilets?

Contact: T: 4272 0203 E: [email protected]