Inaccessible product awareness

Many people have impairments that limit their ability to open, use and enjoy standard consumer products, including poor vision, issues with mobility and limited strength and dexterity. An ageing population and the increasing prevalence of chronic conditions means that more and more people are being significantly affected by accessibility issues.

Inaccessible products and packaging can cause unnecessary physical pain or discomfort, stress and frustration and can undermine a person’s health, independence and self-esteem. In some cases people may injure themselves from using sharp objects to open packaging to access products.

We need measures to improve the availability of accessible ...

Many people have impairments that limit their ability to open, use and enjoy standard consumer products, including poor vision, issues with mobility and limited strength and dexterity. An ageing population and the increasing prevalence of chronic conditions means that more and more people are being significantly affected by accessibility issues.

Inaccessible products and packaging can cause unnecessary physical pain or discomfort, stress and frustration and can undermine a person’s health, independence and self-esteem. In some cases people may injure themselves from using sharp objects to open packaging to access products.

We need measures to improve the availability of accessible products and packaging, offer new opportunities for government and industry to support inclusivity and independence for people with disability, as well as a more positive consumer experience for all.

The Accessible Product Design Alliance has been established to advocate to government and industry to improve access to products and packaging that are easy to use for consumers with physical and other impairments.

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Inaccessibility – a barrier to independence, freedom and choice

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The vision of the Accessible Product Design Alliance is to ensure the design of products and packaging to be accessible for all consumers, irrespective of their level of ability.

Our recommendations to governments include:

Ensure accessible design principles are considered in packaging policy and regulation.
Understand that sometimes sustainability measures can impact accessibility.
Ensure that hospital inpatients and aged care residents have accessible food packaging to prevent injury and have the nutrition they need.

Make your voice heard - use this handy tool to tell your MPs in your own words why they should take action on accessibility.

Be sure to include your own story, such as:

a personal experience with disability/limited mobility

inaccessible packaging and products and how they have affected you

how it affects your hopes and fears for the future

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Subject:

I am writing to you as a committed advocate for accessibility and inclusivity from your electorate. It’s my belief that by working together, we can make a transformative impact on the lives of individuals with disabilities.

I would like to bring your attention to the Accessible Product Design Alliance, a group of non-for-profit organisations that represent individuals with chronic conditions who are significantly impacted by inaccessible products and packaging. As an advocate for accessibility, I am reaching out to request your support and consideration for the initiatives undertaken by the Alliance.

The vision of the Accessible Product Design Alliance is to ensure the design of products and packaging to be accessible for all consumers, irrespective of their level of ability. With an increase in chronic conditions and an aging population, it has become necessary to address accessibility issues that hinder people's ability to use products effectively and independently. The Alliance focuses on conditions such as arthritis, chronic pain, stroke, Parkinson's disease, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, cystic fibrosis, motor neurone disease, and Huntington's disease, which can cause impairments in strength, dexterity, and coordination.

The Accessible Product Design Alliance has published a position statement and a two-page summary, outlining objectives and actions that need to be taken to ensure products and packaging are accessible to all consumers.

Our recommendations to governments include:
1. Ensure accessible design principles are considered in packaging policy and regulation. 
2. Understand that sometimes sustainability measures can impact accessibility. 
3. Ensure that hospital inpatients and aged care residents have accessible food packaging to prevent injury and have the nutrition they need.

As an advocate for accessibility, I request your support for the Accessible Product Design Alliance’s endeavours. By collaborating with the Alliance, you can make a significant impact on the lives of millions of individuals living with disabilities. Together, we can create a society that embraces inclusivity, accessibility, and empathy for its diverse population.

Thank you for considering this matter. I would be grateful for the opportunity to discuss the Accessible Product Design Alliance further and explore ways in which we can work together to improve accessibility and enhance the lives of individuals with disabilities.

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