Accessibility is Good for Business

Accessibility is good for business What you need to know: People with disabilities have a buying power of over $50 billion in Canada and $1 trillion globally. 6.2 million Canadians identify as having a disability. Together with the friends and families, people with disabilities represent the third-largest market segment in North America. There are 2.6 million people in Ontario with a disability – that’s 24% of Ontario’s population. About 45% or 1.2 million Ontarians with disabilities have mobility related disabilities. More than 40% of this population is over the age of 65. As the population ages, this number will only grow. A business that commits to accessibility sends a strong message that people with disabilities are welcome. For this reason, it is much more likely to attract people with disabilities and their families. In a 2018 report by Accenture in the US, companies that championed people with disabilities out performed others – driving profitability and shareholders returns. Revenues were 28% higher, net income 200% higher and profit margins 30% higher.