
[8] Symbiosis, the ADA, and Your Business

1. (Biology) A stable and mutually beneficial relationship between two or more organisms.
2. A relationship of mutual benefit or dependence;
i.e., a reciprocal relationship between
two or more interdependent entities (objects or
individuals or groups) over a period of time.
[ More on Symbiosis in Business | No Java? ]
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If you're interested in marketing your business to people with disabilities, there are three points you must understand:

1. That many disabled consumers tend to feel a greater sense of vulnerability dealing with others. Because of their disabilities, it may take a little more effort to win their confidence. Generally, they don't want to feel as if they're being patronized, but do want to feel confident that they're being dealt with honestly and fairly, and that those with whom they do business really do care enough to accommodate whatever special needs they may have.

2. That the failure of a business to make it widely known that it is sensitive to the special needs of people with disabilities will have an adverse effect on that business's image in the community, regardless of whether that particular business is ADA-Compliant.

3. That the Americans With Disabilities Act doesn't always work for Americans with disabilities, and that simply "being ADA-Compliant" is not enough to ensure that disabled consumers will feel confident and safe when they visit your retail business or professional office;
[ Why is ADA compliance not enough? | No Java? ]

Disabled consumers have a very strong need to feel a sense of symbiosis with those with whom they plan to do business, perhaps even more than their non-disabled counterparts.

For any interpersonal relationship to survive for any significant length of time, the relationship must be symbiotic (i.e., mutually beneficial).

Important examples of symbiosis in ongoing human relationships include: Husband and Wife; Doctor and Patient; Lawyer and Client; Buyer and Seller of any product(s) or service(s) where an ongoing relationship may exist, now or in the future.

Are you working to maintain a symbiotic relationship with your existing customers?

And most importantly, how do your prospective customers know you can meet their needs?
