Kildare County Council’s Universal Accessibility & Age-Friendly Business Support Scheme
The accessibility of both our built and digital environments in “doing business” is a key focus area for Kildare County Council.
The Centre of Excellence in Universal Design was established by Ireland’s National Disability Authority (NDA) to enable the inclusive design of services and systems so they can be accessed, understood and used regardless of a person's age, size, ability or disability.
KCC’s Business Support Scheme offers County Kildare businesses:
- €5,000 Universal Accessibility & Age-Friendly Grant to enhance physical access to your premises.
- €5,000 Digital 4 Business to improve usability and remove barriers in "doing business".
- Age Friendly Ireland’s Business Recognition Programme to provide you with national accreditation, acknowledging businesses that are working toward age-friendliness.
- Universal Accessibility & Age-Friendly Grant
Accessibility and enhancing the overall condition of your premises help improve a customer’s first impressions of your business and contribute to a more prosperous feel and a stronger sense of identity in our town centres.
Each application will be assessed on its own merits, and any job that enhances the town’s character may qualify for grant aid.
All applicants are required to comply with planning codes, legislative requirements, and other compliance requirements.
Grant Relief and Payment
The scheme provides 50% (up to a maximum of €5,000 in grant relief) of eligible expenditure; for more information, and to apply, please visit:
https://www.localenterprise.ie/Kildare/Enterprise-Development/Universal%20Accessibility%20and%20Age-Friendly%20Grant/Universal%20Accessibility%20and%20Age-Friendly%20Grant.html
- €5,000 Digital For Business
Digitalisation plays a transformative role in advancing universal accessibility, helping to remove barriers that prevent people - especially those with disabilities, limited resources, or remote locations - from fully participating in society.
The Local Enterprise Office’s Digital for Business programme will provide the expert review you need to harness the digital potential of your business: reducing stress and paperwork, streamlining your admin, enhancing your customers’ experience and your business performance.
Should opportunities be identified to deliver on your digital potential, you may be eligible to apply for the €5,000 Grow Digital Voucher to implement these changes; for more information, and to apply, please visit: https://www.localenterprise.ie/Portal/Digital/The-Digital-For-Business-support.html
- Age-Friendly Ireland’s Business Recognition Programme
Over 50% of consumer spending is attributable to people over 55, who are generally considered loyal customers who shop locally and have the time to shop!
The AFI Business Recognition Programme encourages retailers and service providers to consider low- or no-cost changes they can make to enhance this customer experience.
Participating businesses are asked to nominate an ‘Age Friendly Champion’ to undergo a short training course, consult with customers, and implement three Age Friendly actions.
Some of the changes that successfully accredited businesses have made include providing a rest chair, making sure all signage is easy to read and in large print and making sure to give each customer as much time as they need.
Having completed the programme, Age Friendly accredited businesses can display their AFI Certification and Accreditation window sticker at their premises and will also be listed on the Age Friendly Ireland website.
For more information, and to apply, please visit: https://www.localenterprise.ie/Kildare/Enterprise-Development/Age-Friendly%20Ireland%E2%80%99s%20Business%20Recognition%20Programme/Age-Friendly%20Ireland%E2%80%99s%20Business%20Recognition%20Programme.html
