Overcoming challenges in verbal communication is the biggest factor stopping people with intellectual disabilities from using local businesses and services, groundbreaking new research from the Blue Mountains has revealed.
Twelve Blue Mountains businesses and 30 customers were interviewed as part of the research by Springwood-based DARE Disability Support. The project’s goal is to make businesses more inclusive of customers with intellectual disabilities by providing them with a practical resource package.
“The main finding out of the research was that the biggest challenges for people with intellectual disabilities in terms of using businesses and services is communication – particularly verbal communication,” said Dr Annie Brennan, DARE’s disability inclusion ambassador. “We knew communication would be a big thing but verbal communication being number one was surprising.”
Dr Brennan said the number of businesses used by people with intellectual disabilities in the Blue Mountains was quite low on average, “but they’re very keen to use more businesses if they know the business has done training to welcome them and be inclusive”.
“A lot of businesses are really keen [to support people with intellectual disabilities] and know they already are inclusive… but businesses don’t really know what they don’t know and there’s still a bit that could be done,” she said.
DARE Disability Support is looking for local businesses to provide input and act as ambassadors as the next stage in the project. To be involved or for more information, visit www.areyouinclusive.com.au or contact Dr Brennan on 0414 835 831.
She said the project has many benefits for both customers and businesses.
“Businesses will gain new and loyal customers. One thing that stood out to me from the research was that some customers who choose to shop outside of the region… really wanted to shop locally,” she said.
The project could also prove a boon for the local tourism industry.
“I think the tourism industry in the Blue Mountains could really benefit if it takes on this project and is marketed as a region that is inclusive and welcoming of people with disabilities,” said Dr Brennan.
Titled “Are You Inclusive?”, the project is funded by the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
Dr Brennan said while there has been lots of research into customers with physical disabilities, little study has been done into how businesses approach customers with intellectual disabilities.