Up to a million disabled visitors are expected in London in 2012 for the Olympic and Paralympic Games, bringing with them millions of pounds in business.

Disabled consumers are an often-overlooked market worth £40-£80 billion ($62-$123 billion) annually, according to the report - 2012 Legacy for Disabled People: Inclusive and Accessible Business - jointly commissioned by the Business Department and the Office for Disability Issues.

For an average business disabled customers may account for up to 20 per cent of their customers but yet 32 per cent of disabled people have difficulty getting goods and services they want to use.

This means small companies could be losing one in five of their customers, it was claimed.

Business Minister Mark Prisk said: "We want to be sure that businesses will be able to meet the needs of these valuable customers - not just because it is fair or the law but because it makes good business sense.

"This report makes a clear economic case that businesses that are more accessible will be more profitable."

The risk of losing business to a more accessible competitor is high as consumer experiences of disabled people affect the choices of family and friends.

Disabled People Minister Maria Miller said: "The 2012 Games provide a powerful opportunity for the private sector to reach out to disabled customers, counter disability stereotypes and showcase their equality credentials.

"Disabled consumers are a significant proportion of the UK consumer market and businesses could be missing up to a 20 per cent of the market by not reaching out to them.

"It might only take one small change to make a business significantly more accessible to disabled people and we are developing initiatives to support businesses to become more inclusive and accessible in the lead up to the Games and beyond."

To read the full report click here.

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