With the 36th America's Cup now underway, businesses are putting their best foot forward to provide an accessible experience to customers with access needs. Follow our tips to make sure your business is one of them.
During the 36th America's Cup, one in four visitors is likely to have an access need of one kind or another. This could be a physical, learning or age-related impairment, vision or hearing loss, a short-term injury or a situational issue such as managing young children with pushchairs.
Those one-in-four will want to get the most out of all the cultural and sporting events and mini festivals taking place in Auckland, as well as the PRADA Cup races taking place this month. So it’s up to you, as a business, to make sure that your facilities, products and service are accessible. There is plenty you can do to make this happens. Here are our top tips.
Make it easy (and safe) for people to enter and move around your space.
You can do this by providing:
Many customers like to research their trip in advance, but that’s particularly true of those with access needs. Much of this research is done online, so check that your designer has used accessible web design standards.
These tips will help make your website user-friendly for everyone:
Find out more about making your website accessible.
The 36th America's Cup is likely to mean increased patronage for some Auckland businesses. Make sure price lists, menus and product information are readable for everyone. This means:
Find out more about accessible customer service.
We are working with Auckland Unlimited to ensure that the 36th America’s Cup is inclusive and inviting to people of all ages and access needs. Our guidance for organisations includes an accessibility checklist for businesses and an accessible events guide. You can download both of these from the Auckland America’s Cup website.
Kickstart your accessibility journey by checking where you’re at now. Our free 30-minute self-assessment will highlight what you’re already doing well, along with recommendations for improvement. Take our free online self-assessment.
Our One-Stop Shop is here to support businesses and organisations on their journey towards becoming 100% accessible. We’ll help you identify your priorities and work towards your goals. Contact the One-Stop Shop.
Want more free advice and resources to help your business make the most of the 36th America’s Cup? Check out Auckland Unlimited’s Race Ready for Business resource library today - aucklandnz.com/36th-americas-cup/business-resources.