Intereach is partnering with Kurrajong and Deniliquin Business Chamber, and being supported by Edward River Council, to assess businesses on how accessible and inclusive they are.
Access At A Glance (AAAG) focuses on how businesses are currently meeting disability access and inclusion and provides advice on improvements to lift the experience of all customers.
The outcome of that accessibility review can be highlighted with several stickers which allow people, at a glance, to make an assessment if they will have access and support in that business.
Intereach board chair and Deniliquin business owner Rob Brown said Access At A Glance was a free service.
He said it is an opportunity for businesses to have a conversation with the Deni Intereach team, to look at ways of gaining a greater understanding of how small changes can make a huge difference when it comes to access and inclusion.
An inclusive business benefits everyone, not just people with disability. This includes people with prams, temporary injuries and older people.
“I know the Deniliquin team would welcome the opportunity to have a conversation with businesses across the council footprint about the important program,” Mr Brown said.
“In being an inclusive business, it simply means providing products and services in a way that ensures people of all abilities are welcome and treated with equity and dignity.
“We welcome the partnership with Kurrajong and their participants, who will support Access At A Glance assessments.”
Kurrajong’s Matthew Johnson said AAAG was a true partnership.
“Our participants can help and assist businesses in their understanding of accessibility, and that is why we have this great partnership with Intereach to get out and support local business,” Mr Johnson said.
“This partnership truly speaks to Kurrajong’s vision ‘to create open, accessible and inclusive communities for all people’.”
Deniliquin Business Chamber executive officer Donna Taylor said the program demonstrated Deniliquin’s leadership by enabling inclusive, accessible spaces.
“Deniliquin is a wholly welcoming community, and this initiative is one way we can demonstrate inclusivity for locals and visitors alike,” she said.
“It will increase the ease with which our local community can shop or play in town and will increase visitation to the area.
“We strongly encourage our local business community to support this initiative.”
Leading the way with one of the first assessments is the Deniliquin Library.
Edward River Council chief executive officer Phil Stone said the program was an opportunity for all businesses to get involved.
“We welcome this partnership, and I would encourage all business to think about accessibility and get involved.
“Our Disability Inclusion Action Plan works hand-in-glove with our local disability services sector to identify how we can improve access and social inclusion for people with a disability and those less mobile.”
If your business would like a free assessment, please contact the Deniliquin Intereach office on 1300 488 226.
Intereach has 17 offices across southern NSW, north/central Victoria and Mallee, with more than 460 staff.
It supports children and families, older people, people living with disability, mental health and carers.
If you, or someone you know, needs support you can contact the Intereach team, or go to www.intereach.com.au.
18°C