Why is accessibility important and how do I get started?

Alfred Spencer, Director, Accessibility Directorate of Ontario: Persons with disabilities spend annually in Canada 25 billion dollars, so it only makes sense that if you are in business, that you look towards that sector to improve your business opportunities.

Victor Fiume, President, Canadian Home Builders Association: And what does it end up costing me? I’ll tell you, nothing. Very very minimal. And what do I get in return? In the last three or four years we’ve built six homes with varying degrees of accessible features in them. Six sales that I would never have gotten, if I hadn’t even reached out and tried to make those accommodations.

Alfred Spencer, Director, Accessibility Directorate of Ontario: So it is about incremental steps and it’s about small changes.

Jim Sanders, Past President, Canadian National Institute for the Blind: How can I help? Those are four great words. I had to count them up. How can I help? Four great words because they apply to anything.

Ron Lessard, Learning Disabilities Association of Sudbury: You know, that is a very warm and engaging thing to say to someone with a disability. How can I help you?

Alfred Spencer, Director, Accessibility Directorate of Ontario: Often we are afraid to ask because we think we are going to offend, but sometimes the easiest way to learn is to actually ask the person about themselves and How can I help you? to participate with me in whatever we’re doing.

Wilma Davies, Retired, Small Business Owner, Collingwood: We all have to help each other.

Ron Lessard, Learning Disabilities Association of Sudbury: By saying …

Ben Shropshire: How can I help?

Female Coffee Shop Clerk: How can I help?

Male Grocery Clerk: How can I help?

Female Pharmacist: How can I help?

Female Florist: How can I help?