The Gunnedah Access Working Group has partnered with NSW Ability Links to invite businesses in the CBD to participate in the Access at a Glance initiative.

Ability Links NSW supports vulnerable people and people with a disability, their families and carers to live the life they want as valued members of their community. It does this through linking people to their community and community capacity building projects such as the Access at a Glance initiative.

The Access at a Glance initiative provides shop fronts with accessibility stickers and signage to display in their windows so that community members can quickly tell if the space is accessible at a glance.

“The personal income of Australians living with a disability is collectively worth around $100 billion annually, a figure that is only set to increase with an ageing population. Studies show that 1 in 3 customers with disability have ceased a transaction because they were not treated with respect or fairly, and report that their customer needs are often unmet” Chair of the Working Group Councillor Ann Luke said.

Those figures represent a lot of missed business. Council and the Access Working Group are committed to becoming both a champion and advocate for accessibility and inclusion, and ensuring that everyone in our local area is made to feel welcome is a priority. The opportunity to partner with Ability Links NSW in implementing this great initiative in our own community while at the same time supporting our local businesses, is one we couldn’t pass up and I would encourage businesses to get on board”

With the support of the Gunnedah & District Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Ability Linkers and members of the Access Working Group will be taking to the streets to chat with owners and managers to see if they would like to be involved. If the business or organisation meets the guidelines, a free sticker will be distributed to place in the shop window.

Copies of the ‘Missed Business Access Guide for Small Businesses’ will also be distributed to help operators apply simple strategies to improve access, and maximise trade opportunities.

If you are interested in being a part of this project, you can contact either Debra Hilton at Council on 02 6740 2100 | council@infogunnedah.com.au or Kellie Stewart at Ability Links NSW on 02 5776 7282 | kellies@pathfinders.ngo to set up a meeting.

Photo Caption: Gunnedah Access working Group members with Council Staff and NSW Ability Links Staff ready to place accessibility stickers at The Civic.

ENDS

Media Contact: Eliza Gallen 02 6740 2100