The European Concept For Accessibility 2003

2.2.4 Opportunities for Business

The companies which develop projects are themselves created entities. Therefore, if their projects are to be accessible it is essential that they are too. An accessible company is one which takes diversity and its employees' quality of life into account. When this is the case, employees feel treated as people, they are motivated and concerned to ensure the smooth running of the company.

Accessible projects are also positive for business. As they are designed with the whole population in mind they generate an increased number of consumers and, consequently, greater profits for the company.

Furthermore, it should be remembered that accessible projects also generate new business, for one of the maxims of Design for All is the creation of environments which can be adapted to different requirements.

For example, a hotel in a prime position overlooking the sea does not have to restrict its season to July and August if the adaptability of its space provides different business options throughout the year:

-Firstly, the hotel management could negotiate with the local town council in order to organise sporting activities on the beach, those which are possible even when it is not the season for water sports.

-Hotel rooms could be used for out-of-school activities for children and teenagers.

-The hotel could help with organising local festivals and provide a pleasant space for holding cultural and community events.

-If there is a heated swimming pool this could be used for swimming lessons.

-Hotels which are not accessible may miss the opportunity to accommodate a large group of guests, among whom there are people with some form of disability.

The fact that all a hotel's facilities are accessible is a good reason to have elderly guests throughout the year, as their holiday periods are more flexible. Through activities like these it is possible to maintain a largely permanent staff and thus avoid the need to find new employees each season. It also makes better use of the facilities and is a way of attracting both local and visiting customers all year round.

Finally, as in the case of promoters, those employers who make a commitment to design for all will have the personal satisfaction of improving the quality of life of employees and consumers.