THE Camden Haven Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with local accessibility advocates Sarah Eade and Rachael Thorpe, has hosted a free community workshop aimed at improving inclusion and accessibility across the region.
Held on Wednesday 12 February, the workshop titled Business Without Barriers brought together local businesses, organisations and community members to hear directly from people with lived experience about the everyday barriers that can prevent people from entering businesses and fully participating in community life.
What began as a practical initiative to support local businesses has quickly grown into a broader vision.
The aim is to position the Camden Haven region as a genuinely accessible destination for visitors, and a welcoming place for people to relocate and live.
In attendance at the workshop was Port Macquarie-Hastings Council General Manager Robert Fish, Economic Development Manager Alex Henley, Director of Infrastructure Ben Wood, Community Activation Manager Steve Bryant and Councillors Hamish Tubman and Nik Lipovac.
As part of the initiative, the Chamber and advocates have developed five key accessibility criteria that businesses can implement either for free or with a minimal spend of under $150.
The program does however recognise that not all barriers are within a business’s control.
“There isn’t an expectation that 100 percent of businesses will be 100 percent accessible for 100 percent of people 100 percent of the time,” said advocate Rachael Thorpe.
“But if we can see that businesses are engaging in the spirit of improving accessibility, we want to ensure they are supported.”
Ms Thorpe, who is a News Of The Area contributor and blogs about her experiences with disability inclusion online, said accessibility should be viewed as an issue that affects the entire community.
“Having a disability is the only minority group that you could wake up and be in tomorrow,” she said.
Advocate Sarah Eade said accessibility is not just a compliance issue, but a mindset shift that benefits businesses and the wider community.
“Accessibility should be the first step of inclusion, not the last,” Ms Eade said.
“Everybody matters and deserves similar opportunities as everyone else.”
Ms Eade also emphasised that small changes can make a big difference.
“We are offering easy solutions for complicated problems,” she said.
Camden Haven Chamber of Commerce President Luke Hadfield said the initiative is both community minded and economically practical.
“With an ageing demographic and many people in our community living with mobility issues, there could be a large proportion of customers that some local businesses are missing out on,” Mr Hadfield said.
“Accessibility goes beyond people who use wheelchairs.
“It also includes people with walkers, walking sticks, parents with prams, people with vision impairment, people recovering from injury or medical episodes, and simply people who are no longer as steady on their feet as they once were.”
The Chamber and advocates have volunteered their time to offer free accessibility audits to local businesses, working alongside them to identify opportunities for improvement.
Businesses that meet a majority of the criteria will be recognised as part of the Chamber’s new Accessible Business Initiative, receiving a window sticker and additional marketing support through Chamber platforms.
This includes a new dedicated webpage highlighting accessible businesses across the region.
“This is going to be a free service and resource that businesses can opt into, and we hope it will result in more activity in their space,” Mr Hadfield said.
He emphasised the program is supportive rather than critical.
“This isn’t about lecturing anyone or rapping them across the knuckles. It’s about changing a mindset, that helping others may actually help you as well.”
The Chamber thanked Sarah Eade and Rachael Thorpe for their leadership and contribution and has encouraged businesses across the Camden Haven region to register interest in an audit and become part of the growing movement.
Ms Thorpe’s accessibility and advocacy journey can be followed on her social media blog, visit www.facebook.com/bloggingaboutbraintumours.
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