Building a Culture of Access

The underlying reason that cities aren’t accessible is often simply a lack of understanding of why accessibility matters. Cultivating empathy for people with disabilities has to be a priority, instilled into every government employee from the top down, so that the organization understands why access is important. 

There are multiple ways that empathy for people with disabilities can be cultivated to help ensure that digital accessibility is fully accounted for. This includes diversity and inclusion training, community outreach events and networks, and most importantly, hiring qualified staff with disabilities.

Diversity and Inclusion Training

For government employees to understand why access to products, services, and information is crucial for people with disabilities, they have to understand how and why people with disabilities use those things, and what barriers exist due to inaccessibility. Many companies and nonprofits offer training directly meant to educate employees on this topic.

Internal Outreach Networks and Events

One thing many successful organizations and municipalities do to improve empathy is create employee resource groups (ERGs), dedicated to common causes and identities, like an LGBTQ ERG, Employees of Color ERG, or Employees with Disabilities ERG. These groups can consist of representative employees that hold that specific identity and those who don’t but wish to support them. ERGs will often plan internal outreach events and informational sessions to educate the greater organization on issues impacting their affected group, which can specifically help inform workers on disability and accessibility issues.

Hire People With Disabilities

The number one thing any organization can do to increase empathy and understanding for people with disabilities and the issues affecting them is to hire qualified people with disabilities. When PWD are seen inside the workplace, their ability becomes less stigmatized, and other employees lose some preconceived notions about how they can interact and engage in society. In addition, exposure to some specific conditions will enlighten people who work to serve residents on what specific accommodations are needed.