I have a disability. Some consider it a gift, others a curse. Learning to deal with the cards you’ve been dealt is a part of my everyday life.  So, to make my life, and hopefully yours easier, looking at local business reviews on sites like jjslist.com is valuable.

In the past, I did not looked at reviews for items or businesses.  However, as I got older I began looking at reviews to make decisions on whether or not to buy certain items. Now I look at business reviews before making the decision to go there. This helps me make an informed decision based on how other people feel about these businesses.

Having a disability allows me to see and experience businesses in a different way. Are the workers helpful, patient and willing to work with me? Do they assist me with any questions or concerns I may have?

I’ve learned that reviews can boost a businesses credibility and help others make informed decisions. Most importantly, reviews are a way for businesses to see what they need to improve on, thereby improving the service they provide.

So, I understand why others may consider having a disability a gift.  Reviews are more than just complaints or accolades, it’s a way to speak up and be heard.  Letting people know how important it is to be patient with someone who has a disability is a great way to self-advocate.

The following are 5 questions I think of when writing a review about a business’s disability-aware features:

1) Is the business accessible?

Do they have ramps, are there strong bars in the washrooms, do they have adaptive technology?

2) Are staff members helpful?  

If you ask for assistance, will they help? Will they offer assistance if you need help getting an item?

3) Are there people with disabilities on their staff?  

Are they willing to hire people with disabilities?

4) Are they disability-aware?

Do they know anything about disabilities?

5) Are they patient?  

Will they wait?  Are they understanding?  Are they willing to understand?

Reviews are ways to improve the overall quality of an item or place on a global scale. Deciding to listen and act based on the reviews is up to the business, but when they do it’s a great feeling to have made an impact as a reviewer. Don’t let people say your opinions don’t count, because your opinions matter.  Have you visited a business lately that you loved, or one that you would never go back to? Review it today on jjslist.com.

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About The Author

This blog was written by Adrian, one of our No Boundaries participants. NO BOUNDARIES – Train for Work, Train for Life, a Search, Inc. enterprise, is a “first-of-its-kind” experiential on-land and on-line workplace training center for individuals with disabilities.