1 Sep

One Million Disabled Visitors Expected in London 2012: Businesses Advised to Improve Access or Loose Out

Posted by Sandra Rhodda in Ageing and People with Disabilities, Destinations and operators, Inclusive sport, International AT research, Law, policy, development, Sport, Recreation, Culture, and Community, World Access Tourism.

London

A just-released report commissioned by the UK Department for Business, Innovation, and Skills, and the Office for Disability Issues presents arguments for why business should improve access for people with disabilities.   The “2012 Legacy for Disable People: Inclusive and Accessible Business” is the result of work by Atkins Management Consultants who reviewed existing messages and communications to SMEs about people with disabilities, developed more compelling messages, and looked at the case for focusing on the disabled as customers.  In summary, the report found that:

  • Disabled consumers in the UK are a significant (10.6 billion people) but poorly addressed market worth £80 billion p.a.
  • 83% of disabled people have to take business to more accessible providers
  • Disabled customers may account for up to 20% of the customer base at an average business
  • The risk of losing business to a more accessible competitor is high as consumer experiences of disabled people affect the choices of family and friends
  • Business benefits associated with better accessibility include a rapidly expanding customer base, increases in revenues and profits, loyal customers, improved reputation, and a distinct competitive advantage

 The report notes the strong link between age and the prevalence of disability and that, as the population ages, there will be more disability in future.The main barriers to SMEs improving access include low levels of awareness about the business opportunities of improving access, misconceptions around the cost of improving access and what access means, misconceptions and discomfort about disability and awareness, fear of getting it wrong, dominance of legal compliance issue.

 UK Ministers have urged business to see improving access as a way of becoming more profitable in preparation for the Olympic and Paralympic Games in London in 2010. One million disabled visitors are expected in London for the games bringing with them millions of pounds in business.

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