Business Accessibility Support Program

This new program is for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) wanting to grow their revenue and customer base among people with disability and their companions by integrating inclusive practices for customers with disability – no matter your starting point or budget.

The City of Adelaide is proudly supporting a cohort of businesses to participate in a pilot round from February to June 2025.

This program will help selected businesses implement accessibility improvements that are achievable, impactful, and low-cost. The program will help you explore solutions that you can put into practice right away – improvements that go beyond compliance and accessible toilets and parking spaces.

The Business Accessibility Support Program is designed to provide businesses with funding, tools and practical guidance, needed to improve accessibility across their physical, digital, and service areas.

Successful applicants will receive:

• Up to $10,000 in funding: To make an accessibility improvement to your physical space, digital platform, or customer service strategies.
• 1:1 Consultation Session: Work with an accessibility consultant to create a tailored Action Plan. This will help your business:
  • Understand your business's current accessibility strengths and gaps.
  • Plan short and longer term steps to improve access for customers with disability and their companions.
• Workshops: Take part in practical workshops covering key accessibility areas: physical access, digital accessibility, and inclusive customer service.
• Ongoing Support: Stay on track with regular check-ins and access to a network of committed business and industry leaders.
• Exclusive Recognition: Successfully complete the program and receive an award and public promotion via AEDA and City of Adelaide channels.

More features of the program include:

• Self-Assessment Toolkit: A simple checklist to recognise strengths and gaps in your business.
• Resources & Templates: Practical online guides to implement little changes that make a big difference to customers with disability.
  

• Expressions of Interest opened 9 December 2024 and closed 24 January 2025.
• The program starts 13 February 2025 and finishes 15 June 2025.
• Dates for future rounds are to be confirmed, subject to Council funding.

While the pilot round of the program is now closed, we are hoping to offer future rounds, subject to Council funding. It is expected that businesses will need to meet the following criteria:

• Be located within the City of Adelaide municipality and actively operate or serve customers within the municipality, either from a business address or a venue/operational location
• Be a for-profit business or, if a not-for-profit organisation, meet additional eligibility criteria
• Have a valid Australian Business Number (ABN)
• Have fewer than 200 employees
• Be a standalone, independent business (i.e., not a franchisee, subsidiary of a larger company, or unincorporated association)
• Provide customer-facing or visitor services, such as food and drink establishments, retailers, tourism operators, accommodation providers, museums, galleries, live music venues, sport and fitness businesses, health service providers, and other businesses that interact directly with the public
• Commit to participating in all aspects of the program, including self-assessment, workshops, consultations, implementing accessibility improvements, and completing program evaluation
• Have a commitment to ongoing improvements in accessibility beyond the program
• Have no outstanding acquittals, compliance issues (including building, development, or environmental health/food safety), or debts to the City of Adelaide or its subsidiaries

Read the Business Accessibility Fund Operating Guidelines

This program will be delivered using a hybrid model, allowing selected businesses to participate in workshops and 1:1 consultancy sessions either in person or online, depending on what suits you best. We understand that time can be tight for small businesses, so we’re making it easy for you to take part at your own pace.

Virtual sessions and recorded workshops will also be available, ensuring flexibility for those who may not be able to attend live sessions.

In addition, participating businesses will have access to:

• Pre-recorded sessions and downloadable resources, including checklists, templates, and case studies
• A private online community where you can connect with other businesses involved in the program and share insights with the program team

This model ensures that you can fully engage with the program and implement improvements at a pace that works for your business

Expressions of interest for the 2025 Pilot Round are now closed.

If your business is eligible and you would like to receive notifications about future rounds (subject to Council funding), please register your details.

Register your interest

We’re excited to help your business become more accessible and inclusive. 

If you have any questions, please contact [email protected].