itself , such as aisle manoeuvrability and restroom access
• There is no formal validation process for businesses claiming accessibility
• The term audit was found to be offputting to businesses , suggesting a more collaborative approach like review or check
• Businesses are busy . Anything we are asking them to do needs to be of value yet quick to implement
• Businesses need convincing . Effective communication emphasising accessibility benefits is crucial for engagement and encouraging improvements .
City ’ s website , where they can download a self-assessment checklist , tailored to different business types and covering a variety of different types of disabilities .
For example , a retail business can download the Retail Accessibility Checklist which takes them through a series of considerations such as access into and throughout the premises , accessible aisle widths and staff communication .
Likewise , a restaurant owner can download the Café ’ s and Restaurants Accessibility Checklist with considerations relevant to their business , such as the provision of menu information and recommended table heights .
The project team will continue to promote the Accessible Swan Businesses initiative across our business community , to keep providing economic benefit to businesses by increasing customer attendance and creating a more accessible and inclusive region for people with disability .
The team has successfully lobbied to have an access and inclusion category added to the Swan Chamber of Commerce ’ s annual business awards program . It is anticipated that the addition of this category will help with promoting our accessible businesses and encourage other businesses to start their journey of becoming accessible .
Moving forward , the City remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting the growth and prosperity of local businesses .
ROLLING OUT TO THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY Building on the pilot ’ s findings , the project team started developing a marketing and communications campaign to engage the wider business community .
In collaboration with three pilot businesses and a film production company , The Periscope Crew , a short 2:30-minute video was developed containing a series of key messages , including :
• Accessibility and inclusivity needs come in all shapes and sizes , sometimes it ’ s obvious , sometimes not ;
• Having a business that champions access and inclusion benefits both the business and the customer ;
• Twenty per cent of Australians live with a disability and we are a country with an ageing population ; businesses that lack access are missing out on a range of potential customers , and
Through the delivery of economic development activities such as the Accessible Swan Business initiative , we are supporting our local business community and creating a more accessible and inclusive region for everyone .
With nine business types to choose from , the checklists are simple to complete , yet thorough enough to assist the business owner in creating an accessible and inclusive customer experience for all .
WHERE TO FROM HERE Promoting accessible businesses to the wider community is a key element of this initiative .
Through the delivery of economic development activities such as the Accessible Swan Business initiative , we are supporting our local business community and creating a more accessible and inclusive region for everyone .
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
KERYN SOUTH Keryn South holds a Master ’ s Degree in Public Health and has carved out a diverse career path spanning social work , crime prevention , and strategy development roles all aimed at community well-being . A staunch advocate for community connections and inclusion , Keryn actively contributes to her local community through various board memberships and volunteer roles . In her current role , Keryn is in the unique position of being a part-time project officer with the City ’ s Business & Tourism team , coupled with her position as co-owner of an engineering business alongside her husband . This dual role has strengthened her understanding of the challenges faced by businesses and the strategies needed for their success .
• There are many things businesses can do to make changes – improving accessibility doesn ’ t need to be hard .
This video ran for four weeks in February / March 2024 and was the foundation for the marketing and communications campaign .
It was successfully received by the community after being seen more than 68,000 times .
The video encourages users to visit the
The project team is looking at an online mapping system that flags accessible businesses . Considerations around self-reporting , symbols and icons , and language are all being taken into account .
The project team will continue to engage with the pilot businesses to collect data and demonstrate their success – highlighting positive outcomes and encouraging participation from new businesses .
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT JOURNAL VOL 17 NO 2 2024 29