Adding Accessibility to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Initiatives
Learn about the important role accessibility plays in ensuring DEI efforts are inclusive of people with disabilities.
The inclusion of the term “accessibility” along with “diversity, equity and inclusion” (DEI) in Executive Order (EO) 14035: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA) in the Federal Workforce marks a significant shift in the federal approach to inclusion of people with disabilities. Historically, federal equal employment opportunity initiatives for people with disabilities were included in disability-specific efforts, but not as part of wider DEI efforts. This policy brief discusses the significant role diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA) plays in supporting federal employment of people with disabilities. Although meant for federal audiences, information in this brief may also be relevant to state, local and private sector employers.