Zero Barriers

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Zero Barriers: connecting businesses with our community

Blacktown City Council has partnered with Zero Barriers to support businesses in the local area to become more inclusive and accessible for people with disability. 

The Zero Barriers project provides information, training and resources to businesses and services aiming to remove barriers for people with disability when shopping, using services or participating in activities in their local communities. Zero Barriers program takes a practical approach to education and provides ongoing support and recognition for eliminating barriers. Additionally, by making an effort to improve access and inclusion, community perception of local business/service may be improved.

The benefits to businesses and services are: 

  • delivery of customised training e.g. Inclusive Customer Service, Inclusive Marketing Part 1 and 2, Inclusive Communications and Physical Access
  • access and inclusion information and resources via the website Home - Zero Barriers
  • access and inclusion information including tips and strategies via e-news Self-assessment form in English and in several community languages (find out how inclusive and accessible your business/service is and subscribe to the e-news)- available in the website
  • Zero Barriers presentations at business information sessions organised by councils and/or local business chambers.

This partnership is part of our effort to make Blacktown City truly inclusive. Our Disability Inclusion action plan(PDF, 34MB)  sets out how we remove barriers to inclusive participation and promote the value of diversity and inclusion. It includes collaborating with businesses and disability-led organisations, to build their capacity to be more inclusive and accessible.

Why Zero Barriers

It’s good for business

Almost 1 in 5 Australians have some kind of disability. That is a huge segment of the population. Often Called 'the overlooked consumer', customers with disability have spending power and choices. They are vocal about the type of service they receive. Meeting the needs of customers with disability means more business and increased profitability.

It shows you care

Being inclusive and accessible shows that your business cares about the whole community and that you are respectful of all people, irrespective of their ability.

It’s easy

Being disability inclusive doesn’t have to involve huge changes or major renovations. In many cases, small layout changes, minor inclusions and an understanding of how to better communicate with customers with disability is all that is required.

It’s the law

The Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (the Act) makes it unlawful to discriminate, in the provision of goods, services or facilities, against people on the basis that they have, or may have, a disability.

How it works

  1. take the Self-Assessment - Self assess

  2. use the Accessibility Guide to implement changes - Zero Barriers accessibility guide 

  3. submit evidence of changes made to make your business more inclusive

  4. become part of the Zero Barriers community - be included in the business directory to open your business up to a whole new audience - Zero Barriers directory

  5. receive the Zero Barriers Newsletter

Examples of access and inclusion considerations may be:

  • use of plain English and more visuals or universal icons in your communication materials
  • 2 or more options for payment or ways a customer can engage your business/service physically accessible premises and ways to get there
  • inclusive, respectful and friendly customer service.

Further information

For more information or to complete an online self-assessment visit zerobarriers.net.au or contact Community Development - Inclusion Community.Development@blacktown.nsw.gov.au or 02 5300 6000.

 

Connect and strategically cater to the 1 in 5 Australians with disabilities and improve your accessibility and inclusion.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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