This initial module is crafted for those who own or manage small businesses, encompassing a wide range of sectors such as retail, hospitality, transport, accommodation, and cultural events and festivals. It’s designed to equip you with the foundational knowledge required to embark on your journey towards enhancing disability access and inclusion within your business.
We recognise that the majority of tourism businesses in Australia are categorised as small (employing 5-19 individuals), micro (1-4 individuals), or are solely operated. With this in mind, our toolkit is tailored to provide you with practical information in a format that is straightforward and useful.
This introductory module serves as a gateway to two further modules, each aimed at deepening your understanding of what disability accessibility and inclusion means for your business. Module 1 focuses on your business and customers, while Module 2 delves into your workplace and employees.
To assist you in understanding ‘where you are at’ in your disability access and inclusion journey, we invite you to utilise our inclusive tourism assessment tool.
By using this tool, you will gain insights into your business’ strengths and areas for improvement. The assessment tool will also direct you to relevant resources available on the Anywhere resource hub, ensuring you can make informed decisions about accessibility and inclusion within your small business.
In Australia, approximately 18% of the population, equating to 4.4 million people, live with disability, and an additional 22%, or 5.5 million people, have long-term health conditions. This group, along with their friends, relatives, and colleagues, forms a substantial consumer segment that businesses may inadvertently overlook, potentially limiting these consumers’ access to goods and services. Neglecting the needs of this demographic means businesses could be missing out on tapping into a considerable customer base. Data from Tourism Research Australia’s National Visitor Survey in 2021 highlights this potential, revealing that individuals with disability contributed $13.5 billion, or 17% of the total domestic day and overnight trip expenditure, and accounted for 46.1 million, or 19% of all domestic trips. Enhancing accessibility not only benefits individuals with disability but also serves a broader spectrum of people with various accessibility needs, including the elderly, those with mobility or medical issues, parents and families, and multi-generational family groups. By making products, services, or events more accessible, businesses can better cater to a diverse and inclusive customer base.
With many small businesses facing labour shortages hiring people with disability can be good for business. By diversifying your employee base you open your business up to a wider range of employees who will bring on additional skills and talents. Research shows that people with disability often stay in their jobs longer and have fewer workplace incidents. By making the workplace inclusive, businesses can benefit from their unique ideas and make the workplace more interesting and resilient.
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) underscores this, advocating for full and equal enjoyment of human rights by all persons with disability. Australia was among the original signatories to UNCRPD.
Businesses that follow these principles not only meet global standards and customer expectations but also show a commitment to inclusivity and respect for diversity. This enhances business reputation and fosters a more inclusive community.
This encompasses ensuring accessibility and non-discriminatory practices in employment, services, and public access. Non-compliance could lead to legal action and financial repercussions.
It’s important to be aware of both federal and state-level legislation to fully understand and meet these obligations.
