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5 Ways You Can Help Shoppers With Disabilities This Season

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What do customers with disabilities want more than anything? To be treated like people first, people who also happen to have a disability. As we begin the holiday dash and the celebration of the United Nations' International Day of Disabilities (#IDPD) on December 3, these suggestions on everything from retail etiquette to online fixes for businesses—developed for and by people with disabilities—are worth sharing widely. Even bosses who may think they have the latest information on inclusion can learn a thing or two.

Many suggestions are low-cost and simple to implement. Here, five ways to learn more about people with disabilities, including both what is required by law online as well as how to go beyond the basics in your store:

  1. The American Association of People With Disabilities (AAPD) is a comprehensive resource for people who want a broad understanding of how to advocate for people with all types of disabilities. Their resource pages include everything from policies for making technology accessible to details about ongoing efforts to provide people with disabilities better transportation options. You can find the facts on all of those advocacy topics and more, here.
  2. The Partnership On Accessibility (PEAT) can help you make the case to an employer—or employees—as to why accessible tech matters now more than ever. Watch a sample video here.  Not sure what Section 508 is or need a clear definition of a term associated with accessibility? Find a comprehensive glossary, here. In addition, the National Disability Authority (a global resource) offers clear examples of how to make any website—including videos, maps, PDF documents, and audio—accessible.

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  3. Work Without Limits has a short, printable introduction to person-first language and offering assistance. It covers all types of disabilities and makes the important point that “No two people with a disability are the same.” Check it out, here.
  4. Ask Earn supports businesses in their efforts to recruit, hire, retain and advance qualified individuals with disabilities. They also offer advice to increase employees’ comfort, confidence and competence when assisting people with disabilities. You can find their resources, here.
  5. The United Spinal Association offers downloadable publications on disability etiquette. Their introduction to the topic does a good job of summarizing the importance and spirit of their movement: “This booklet is for anyone—with or without a disability—who wants to interact more effectively with people with disabilities. The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 was conceived with the goal of integrating people with disabilities into all aspects of life, particularly the workplace and the marketplace. Sensitivity toward people with disabilities is not only in the spirit of the ADA, but it also makes good business sense.”

Note: This is one of two posts covering the retail sector and disabilities. The first post includes information on the U.K.'s first accessible shopping day, #PurpleTuesday, which does an amazing job of offering downloadable resources. There are literally dozens of guides for people with both invisible and visible disabilities. This post is not meant to cover every situation or law.