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May 19, 2012
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How’s business?  Has it been a little bit on the LEAN side lately?  If your piece of the consumer pie has shrunk here’s help!  The Chamber is offering a new program - the Disability Friendly Business endorsement program! 
 
Did you know?
  • The large and growing market of people with disabilities has $250 billion in discretionary spending, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.   $250 billion is more than four times the spending power of teens (8-14 year-olds), a demographic sought after by businesses.
  • An Open Doors Organization study estimated that diners with disabilities spend at least $35 billion in restaurants each year. The study found that more than 75% of people with disabilities eat out at restaurants at least once a week
  • The New York Times reported that spending by travelers with disabilities exceeds $13.6 billion annually.
  • AARP says that four million Americans turn 50 each year and that people age 50 and older spend nearly $400 billion annually in stores, restaurants, etc.
  • At age 50, adults are likely to experience age-related physical changes that may affect hearing, vision, cognition, and mobility. While they may not think of themselves as having disabilities, people in this age group often seek out businesses that accommodate those changes by offering better lighting, less ambient noise, and fewer stairs.
  • Accessibility attracts not only people with disabilities but also their families & friends.  This market is growing.  
 
The advantages of becoming a Disability Friendly Businessare many and include:
  • A larger piece of the disabled community and the aging and growing Baby Boomers’ estimated hundreds of billions of dollars consumer ‘pie’ resulting in a healthier bottom line.  
  •  Businesses displaying the Disability-Friendly Business decal will attract not only consumers with disabilities but their families and other supports.
  • Promotion on the Chamber’s website and monthly publications. 
  • Direct advertising to more than 100 consumer/advocate groups in Utah.
  • Featured on the www.goodworkutah.com and the Governor’s website including bios of their organization.
As a business leader, you can tap into this huge market niche by proactively marketing to people with disabilities.  There are too few businesses who understand how to give good customer service to people who are, for example, visually impaired or use a chair.   These potential customers – and their families - will support businesses that can effectively accommodate their needs.  Become a Disability Friendly Business by signing up with the Chamber.  It’s easy, it’s inexpensive, plus you’ll be getting a bigger piece of this consumer pie in just about the time it takes to bake one!