Business Accessibility and Inclusion
Making your business accessible and inclusive helps you attract more customers, support your workforce, and meet legal responsibilities. Support and guidance are available to help improve physical accessibility, inclusive customer service, and workplace practices for disabled people and other under‑represented groups.
Equality and Legal Responsibilities
All businesses must comply with the Equality Act 2010, ensuring people are not disadvantaged because of a protected characteristic, including disability.
Equality Act 2010 – guidance for businesses
Official UK government guidance on equality law and reasonable adjustments.
Employing Disabled People
Access to Work
Provides funding and practical support if you employ someone with a disability or health condition. This can include specialist equipment, adaptations, or travel support for employees.
Disability Confident scheme
A program designed to help employers recruit, retain and develop disabled people. Includes resources and recognition for participating employers.
Jobs Support and Recruitment Services
Job Centre Plus, part of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), can support your business with recruiting staff, promoting roles to jobseekers, and accessing tailored candidate services. This free service is particularly useful when building an inclusive workforce.
Inclusive Workplaces and Employment Advice
ACAS (Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service)
Free, impartial advice for employers on equality, diversity, reasonable adjustments, inclusive workplace practices, and broader employment law issues.
Citizens Advice
Provides free, impartial guidance on legal, financial and workplace queries — including support for accessibility improvements and understanding employment rights.
Improving Accessibility for Customers
Improving accessibility could include better physical access, clearer signage, accessible information, inclusive customer service, and assistive tools.
AccessAble – Accessibility Information for Places
A useful resource giving accessibility guides and tools to help businesses understand physical accessibility needs.
AbilityNet – Digital Accessibility Advice
Practical guidance on making your digital content (website, apps, online services) accessible to people with a wide range of needs.
Financial and Practical Support
Some funding, practical help or specialist advice may be available to help businesses make reasonable adjustments or improve accessibility.
Business finance and support finder
Use this official UK government tool to explore finance, grants, and support schemes that may help with accessibility improvements or inclusive business practices.
Getting Local Help
For tailored, local advice and signposting on accessibility and inclusion, you can contact West Oxfordshire District Council’s business support services:
Email: Business@westoxon.gov.uk
Business Support & Advice Page: https://www.westoxon.gov.uk/business/business-support