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The 2021 Access Alliance People’s Choice Accessibility Awards for Business

Accessibility, diversity, and inclusion are the heart of a thriving society, and the heart of thriving businesses, too.

Launched in 2020, the Access Alliance People’s Choice Accessibility Awards for Business is a way for people with access needs, and their whānau, to recognise businesses who are making a difference through the provision of accessible goods and services for disabled people, seniors, carers of young children, the temporarily injured, migrants and people for whom English is a second language.

The Access Alliance People’s Choice Accessibility Awards for Business demonstrate that accessibility is good for business

Businesses that are early adopters in providing accessibility are benefiting from a largely untapped market of customers who are not only exceptionally loyal to those who accommodate their access needs, but also become allies and advocates for accessible businesses within their communities and networks.

The Inaugural People’s Choice Accessibility Awards for Business in 2020

In 2020, the Access Alliance held the Inaugural Access Alliance People’s Choice Accessibility Awards for Business, attracting 40 nominations and nearly 1000 unique voters. Small, medium and large businesses, from Northland to Southland, were nominated by those in their communities who appreciated their efforts in modelling accessibility, proving that accessibility is good for business.

In a stunning presentation attended by a range of dignitaries including the Minister for Disability Issues Hon Carmel Sepuloni, businesses and organisations who have opened their doors - be they physical or virtual - to all customers, irrespective of access needs, were rewarded and recognised for their efforts.

Winners at the Inaugural Access Alliance People’s Choice Awards for Business in 2020

<<we would list the categories with a photo and comment from the nominee for the winners. Photos are all in this file>>

[You can probably set this up as a directory – similar to the support orgs]

The 2021 Access Alliance People’s Choice Accessibility Awards for Business

From status quo to status go!

In a changeable business landscape, the ability to adapt is paramount. When traditional markets, engagement with customers and methods of purchase underwent a seismic ‘COVID-19’ transformation, some businesses proved they could embrace rapid change for good.

When nominations open in February, the 2021 Access Alliance People’s Choice Accessibility Awards for Business will be an opportunity to showcase some of the extraordinary examples of businesses providing accessibility in challenging times and in different domains of everyday life including:

• Accessible telecommunications and access to the digital space
• Accessible transport and access to the built and natural environment
• Social inclusion through access to information, democracy, education, work and economic participation
• Accessible leisure, activities and lifestyles
• Accessible retail goods and services
• Accessible hospitality, tourism, travel and accommodation.

Accessibility is not just about the width of the door – it’s about information and communication, customer service, accessible education and employment systems, universal design of public facing facilities, and access to goods and services, including those in the digital space.

Many New Zealand businesses are already addressing accessibility. They understand that diverse, inclusive and accessible workplaces are win-win situations. Adopters of accessible business practices are poised to benefit from untapped markets and talent pools while improving the quality of life, not only for the hundreds of thousands of Kiwis currently disadvantaged by barriers, but for all New Zealanders.

How business networks can get involved in being accessibly open for good! 

• Think about the low hanging fruit. There are some accessibility fixes that are easy to implement, such as:
  • Adding a simple question about access needs to an enquiry or booking form, and tailoring communications and customer service accordingly
  • Including accessibility in digital upgrades to increase domestic market share and ensure international compliance standards are met for countries such as Canada, Australia, the US, the UK, Norway and Denmark which have all addressed accessibility
  • Prioritising accessibility when upgrading or relocating premises to future-proof business facilities
• Self-nominate to showcase innovation in accessibility for customers with access needs
• Encourage customers to nominate, vote and spread the word about accessible business practices.

The 2021 Access Alliance People’s Choice Accessibility for Business Awards Presentation

A Virtual Event with a Difference

June 2021 (date to be announced)

The 2021 Access Alliance People’s Choice Awards for Accessible Business presentation will be a 90 minute hybrid/v-event (virtual event) showcasing nominees and ‘domain’ winners - and the accessible innovations they have implemented - in a lively multimedia presentation.

The audience and presentation will include people with lived experience of access needs, as well as their whānau, supporters and allies. Invitations will be issued to VIPs including the Prime Minister, the Minister for Disability Issues, the Human Rights Commissioner and other relevant portfolio holders and stakeholders.

The 2021 event will culminate in real-time voting for the Supreme Access Alliance People’s Choice Accessibility Award for Business.