Why do smart organizations provide accessibility for their customers who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing?
1. People who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing represent a large group with voting and spending power:
There are 2.9 million Canadians living with a physical disability that impairs their mobility, vision, or hearing, representing 10 per cent of the country’s population.
That number will rise by 1.8 per cent annually over the next 13 years, nearly double the pace of the population as a whole.
Real spending by this group is set to rise from $165 billion in 2017 to $316 billion in 2030, increasing from 14 to 21 per cent of the total consumer market.
2. Providing accessibility to customers improves an organizations' image:
The aging Boomer population is adding to the number of PWD (people with disability) daily.
Boomers’ control a larger share of the national wealth than any previous generation.
In Canada, PWDs and their friends and families add up to twelve million people, more than a third of our population, with total disposable income in excess of $311 billion.
Product development and customer-centered messaging learned from PWDs can drive a company’s return on investment through enhanced ease of use and stronger brand connection.
Consumers feel strongly about something, like disability, then they identify strongly with brands that meet those emotional needs.
3. Organizations who create barriers to customers who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing reduce profits and decrease the quality of life for people in your community: Effects of Hearing Loss can include:
Withdrawal/Social Isolation
Embarassment
Depression
Poor service experience/bad word of mouth advertising
Misunderstanding of important messages your organization wants to deliver (e.g., legal, financial, health)
4. Organizations will be required by Federal and Provincial Accessibility laws to comply with creating a space that is accessible for people who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing. For more information, check out our 'Accessibility Laws' resource page above.
Accessible Hearing Solutions helps improve accessibility by providing organizations with site assessments. Site assessments educate organizations about the best ways to improve communication and understanding in locations such as counter-service areas, meeting rooms, and auditoriums. Our assessments provide a written report detailing communication areas that are causing barriers and the best ways to improve accessibility for your customers or clients. For more information, contact us at [email protected].
