Did you know that over one billion people around the world have some form of disability? In the United States alone, 26% of the population identifies as disabled. There are a diverse range of disabilities, a person can have more than one disability, and disabilities can be apparent or non-apparent. In fact, you most likely work with someone that has a non-apparent disability and may not have disclosed it in the workplace due to past experiences with stigma and biases. And, as disability percentages increase with age, you or someone you work with will develop a disability and will need an accessible workplace going forward.
So how do you create a more inclusive world for current and future employees with disabilities? Start by learning at least one way of creating accessible content on Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD). This annual event, held on the third Thursday of May, aims to raise awareness about digital accessibility and encourage discussions and learning about inclusion.
By creating a digitally accessible environment, we can ensure that everyone has equal access to everyday activities, such as participating in online meetings and events or accessing educational resources. By making these activities accessible to disabled employees, we can empower them to fully participate in workplace processes, services, and events.
So, let's come together to make the workplace a more accessible and inclusive place for everyone. Here are a few easy ways you can make a difference today:
- Watch Microsoft's Improve Email Accessibility video series and implement the suggestions in Outlook.
- Add a reminder to your email signature to promote disability inclusion and accessibility. You can include a message like: "Reminder: Email is a vital form of communication. When creating emails, please ensure you are thinking of disability inclusion and developing accessible emails. Outlook users can refer to Microsoft's Improve Email Accessibility video series."
- Advocate for accessibility at work and in social circles by taking small steps, such as adding captions to your Zoom meetings and adding alt text to images.
- Understand the complex history of why disability and accessibility are often an afterthought by watching Disability History: An Introduction.
By taking these small steps towards accessibility together, we can make a big impact and create a workplace where everyone has equal opportunities to thrive.
Note: This communication uses both identity-first (disabled employee) and person-first language (employee with a disability) to align with the APA Style Guide on Disability.
Communication developed by Kerri Hudzikiewicz.