Inclusivity wasn’t something you’d frequently hear in a business setup years ago. The concept of inclusivity was new, and many people were still getting used to the idea. Entrepreneurs and business owners were still trying to find their footing and learn to be more inclusive in their practices. But things have changed since then.
Today, however, inclusivity is an integral part of doing business. More and more companies are trying to be inclusive of all types of people. It’s become a top priority for businesses. That’s because inclusivity and diversity can bring success to a business in the modern world.
And now, more companies understand the importance of ensuring their products and services are accessible to everyone, regardless of ability. If you’re a business owner, there are several things you can do to make your company more inclusive to people with disabilities. Here are some tips:
1. Hire people with disabilities
According to the World Health Organization, over one billion people live with a disability. That’s a lot of potential customers, employees, and business partners. When you make your business more inclusive to people with disabilities, you’re widening your pool of talented applicants and signaling to the world that your company is an accepting and welcoming place for everyone.
There are many ways to make your business more inclusive, but one easy way to get started is by hiring people with disabilities. This sends a message that your company values diversity and is committed to inclusion. It also helps create a more diverse and representative workforce, which can only benefit your business.
So if you’re looking for ways to make your company more inclusive, hiring people with disabilities is a great place to start.
2. Be loud with your advocacy
People with disabilities often face discrimination and exclusion in many aspects of their lives. As a business owner, you can help to change this by being an advocate for people with disabilities.
There are a few things you can do to accomplish this. Say you’re running an insurance agency. Since you’re pushing for more inclusive advocacy, one of the most significant insurance agency marketing ideas is getting a strategist who can help you build a media relations kit tailored to your advocacy. This way, you can share your company’s story and why you believe in disability inclusion with the press, which can help get the word out to a broader audience.
You can also use your platform to educate others about disability rights and issues. Businesses can do this through blog posts, social media, or even events hosted by your company. By raising awareness and educating others, you’re helping create a more inclusive world for people with disabilities.
3. Make your products and services accessible
Another way to make your business more inclusive to people with disabilities is by ensuring that your products and services are accessible. This means considering the needs of people with different types of disabilities and ensuring they can use your products and services without difficulty.
There are several ways to make your products and services more accessible. For example, if you have a physical storefront, you can ensure it’s wheelchair-accessible. If you have an online store, you can use alt text to describe images for people who are blind or have low vision. You can also provide video captions so that deaf or hard-of-hearing people can understand what’s happening.
Making your products and services accessible is a great way to show that you care about inclusion and are committed to making your business available to everyone.
4. Educate yourself and your employees
If you want to make your business more inclusive, educating yourself and your employees about disability is essential. This will help you understand the needs of people with disabilities, and it will also help prevent any unintentional bias or discrimination.
Being proactive about this subject is always a good idea. You can start by ensuring that your employees receive training on interacting with people with disabilities. Businesses can do this through online courses, in-person workshops, or even just by having regular discussions about the topic.
You should also ensure that your employees know the resources and accommodations available for people with disabilities. For example, if you have an employee who is blind, they should know about the assistive technology available to them and how to use it. By educating yourself and your employees about disability, you’re committing to inclusion.
5. Be open to feedback
Making your business more inclusive is an ongoing process, and it’s essential to be open to feedback. This will help you identify areas where you can improve and show your employees and customers that you’re committed to inclusion. One way to get feedback is to survey your employees and customers about their experiences.
You can also ask for feedback in person or through social media. It’s also a good idea to set up an anonymous complaints procedure so that people can raise their concerns without fearing retaliation. Being open to feedback shows that you’re committed to making your business as inclusive as possible.
Making your business more inclusive is a great way to show that you care about your employees and customers and are committed to making your products and services available to everyone. By following these tips, you can ensure that your business is more inclusive and that people with disabilities have access to everything.