Creating an Accessible and Welcoming Workplace

An accessible workplace means not only physical accessibility, such as wheelchair ramps, braille signage, and accessible restrooms, but also digital accessibility, meaning information and communication technology is accessible to all and compatible with assistive technology devices.

Creating a fully accessible workplace also means making a commitment from all levels of an organization, from top leadership down, to ensure your organization’s doors are open—literally and figuratively—to all qualified candidates, including people with disabilities. But it's not only disabled workers who benefit from accessible workplaces. They can also help organizations increase productivity, ensure access to a wider candidate pool, develop and advance talent, and expand their customer base.

The following links provide more information about the various aspects of accessibility:

Organization-Wide Accessibility: Everyone Plays a Part 

Your organization can develop an “Accessibility is Everyone’s Responsibility” mindset! It’s all about teamwork—everyone’s involvement matters.

• Employees: Help ensure the content produced, the systems maintained, and the meetings organized are accessible.
• Leadership: Establish workplace expectations and policies around accessibility and promote a culture of support. 
• Human Resources Professionals: Lead efforts by ensuring accessibility is integral to the recruitment and hiring process. 
• Supervisors: Address day-to-day accessibility needs by ensuring individuals can request and receive reasonable accommodations.  
• Procurement Officers: Build in accessibility as part of the procurement process. 
• Information Technology, Web Development, and Design Staff: Ensure all workplace technologies are universally accessible and assistive technologies operate with current workplace technologies. 
• Marketing and Public Relations Specialists: Deliver proper communication on accessibility to internal and external audiences in an accessible format. 
• Legal Counsel and Regulatory Team Members: Ensure understanding of and compliance with accessibility responsibilities.  

Find additional resources on accessibility.