Diversity and inclusiveness are essential pillars of a compassionate, strong, and understanding society. They drive creativity, innovation, and insight within the workplace. As the popular saying goes, progress is impossible without change—this holds especially true when building a more accessible and inclusive business. Below are practical recommendations to help you develop an effective accessibility action plan for your company.
1. Identify and Eliminate Unintentional Barriers
While physical barriers exist in many organizations, recent changes—such as the installation of plexiglass or other protective measures—may inadvertently create new obstacles for communication or access. For example, plexiglass barriers help prevent germ transmission but may hinder direct interaction with customers, especially those who rely on lip-reading or facial expressions.
Encourage employees to communicate clearly by speaking slowly, firmly, and facing the customer directly instead of looking away or at a screen. This approach facilitates lip-reading and non-verbal cues. Providing paper pads or whiteboards for note-taking can also improve clarification. Leverage available technologies, such as and Wright Express Fleet Card, to enhance efficiency and customer convenience—for instance, by enabling tap-to-pay options instead of cash-only transactions.
Additionally, ensure that lowered counters or service desks remain functional for wheelchair users. Avoid cluttering these areas with pamphlets or decorations that could obstruct access or cause collisions with mobility devices.
2. Enhance Customer Support with Inclusivity Training
Effective customer service is crucial for providing equitable access to support and information. Train your team to communicate respectfully and effectively with clients who have various disabilities. For example, reading schedules aloud to visually impaired customers demonstrates inclusive communication.
Some customers may require extra assistance; having attentive, well-trained staff ready to help ensures all visitors feel welcome and comfortable. Consider adding an accessibility policy on your website detailing how your organization accommodates and supports people with disabilities, which reinforces your commitment to inclusivity.
3. Ensure Hygiene Facilities Are Accessible to Everyone
Frequent handwashing remains one of the best defenses against illness transmission. However, not all sinks or hand sanitation stations are designed with accessibility in mind. For example, foot-pump-operated dispensers may be challenging for individuals with balance issues or mobility devices.
To address this, ensure soap dispensers, hand sanitizers, and paper towel holders are mounted no higher than 1100mm (about 43 inches) from the floor and located near sinks for easy reach. Avoid placing dispensers where a wheelchair user must maneuver awkwardly to access them, as this can defeat the purpose of maintaining hygiene.
4. Design Accessible Tables and Service Counters
Table and counter dimensions significantly impact accessibility. Tables that are too high, too low, or too narrow can prevent disabled individuals from using your facilities comfortably. As a guideline, tables should be no wider than 34 inches and at least 28 inches in height, with a minimum of 27 inches of knee clearance underneath.
If your furniture is fixed, add a few accessible tables or adjust layouts to create clear paths, which is especially important for people with vision impairments. Similarly, service counters should include at least one section that is no taller than 36 inches and no longer than 36 inches to accommodate wheelchair users.
Final Thoughts
Research consistently shows that organizations embracing disability inclusion benefit from improved performance, innovation, and customer satisfaction. Creating an accessible culture enhances understanding and awareness, enabling you to better meet client needs and empowering employees with disabilities to thrive.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are common barriers to workplace accessibility?
Common barriers include physical obstacles like inaccessible entrances, counters, or restrooms; communication barriers due to lack of assistive technologies; and insufficient staff training on disability awareness.
How can technology improve accessibility in businesses?
Technology such as tap-to-pay systems, screen readers, and captioning services can make transactions and communications more accessible to customers with disabilities.
Why is staff training important for inclusivity?
Training ensures employees understand how to communicate and assist customers with diverse needs respectfully and effectively, leading to a more welcoming environment.
What are key legal requirements for accessibility?
Legal requirements vary by region but generally mandate reasonable accommodations and barrier removal to ensure equal access for people with disabilities. Consult your local regulations for specific guidelines.
How can I promote an inclusive culture in my organization?
Promote inclusivity by implementing accessibility policies, providing regular staff training, seeking feedback from people with disabilities, and fostering an environment of respect and understanding.
For more ideas on how to leverage technology to enhance your business’s accessibility, check out 5 Places to Invest Your Digital Marketing Budget in 2023.
