~ The City of Bloomington has recently announced a new initiative to improve accessibility for individuals with disabilities in the downtown area. The city has awarded a $15,000 grant to AccessAbleUSA, Inc., a local accessibility information company, to help small businesses better serve patrons of all abilities.

AccessAbleUSA will be working with up to 30 independent businesses on a first-come, first-served basis to conduct remote surveys and create Detailed Access Guides. These guides provide accurate and practical information for customers with diverse needs to assess a venue's accessibility. The guides will be searchable on both the AccessAbleUSA and participating businesses' websites.

The focus of the surveys will be on customer-facing independent businesses in the greater downtown Bloomington area, including those already part of the city's AccessAbility Decal Program. Businesses are encouraged to nominate themselves by completing an interest form as soon as possible.

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According to Andrea de la Rosa, Assistant Director for Small Business Development, "In Bloomington, being a welcoming and inclusive place is one of our core values. Helping facilitate ease of access for people with specialized needs is one of the many ways in which we exemplify this goal."

AccessAbleUSA was founded in 2024 as the U.S. arm of the U.K.-based AccessAble and has already developed guides for prestigious institutions such as Princeton University and Swarthmore College. They have also worked with local organizations such as Trinity Episcopal Church in Bloomington. With over 25 years of experience, AccessAble is a leading provider of accessibility information in the U.K.

Lesley Davis, Vice President for North American Partnerships at AccessAbleUSA, explains their methodology: "Our goal is not to judge a building or business's accessibility but to document conditions as they exist so customers can make informed choices." Their surveys take into consideration physical access as well as sensory, neurological, and cognitive needs. They also incorporate guidelines from the Americans with Disabilities Act and international best practices for accessibility.

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Participating businesses will receive tailored recommendations, ranging from major updates to simple, low-cost improvements. These recommendations may include using color contrast in restrooms to aid navigation for customers with low vision.

This project is expected to benefit both Bloomington consumers and local businesses. With people with disabilities, their families, and caregivers controlling $490 billion in discretionary income annually, and more than 87 percent seeking accessibility information before visiting new places, this initiative will have a significant impact.

Independent businesses interested in participating in this initiative can complete the interest form available at https://bton.in/3Z61c by Saturday, Nov. 1. For more information, businesses can contact Lesley Davis at Lesley.davis@accessableusa.com.

To see the existing Detailed Access Guides, individuals can visit the AccessAbleUSA and AccessAble (UK) websites at www.accessableusa.com and www.accessable.co.uk. With this new initiative, the City of Bloomington is taking a step towards creating a more inclusive and accessible community for all individuals.

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