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Accessibility 101: Overview

What are the most common accessibility obstacles in the workplace? Ability Central introduces Accessibility 101, an in-depth guide to inclusive, accessible events, video presentations, and online meetings.

A young Hispanic woman in a white tank top and green pants leans over her laptop while sharing resources with three people sitting at a library table. The blind man sitting next to her, a Black man with buzzed hair and a blue collared shirt, reads along with her presentation from a set of Braille materials in front of him.

What are the most common accessibility obstacles in the workplace?

People with disabilities—totaling more than 9 million people—make up 5% of the American workforce, but many aspects of modern work life present built-in barriers to their success. 

At the same time, advances in technology have created new opportunities for people with disabilities to lead successful, fulfilling careers. 

Online meetings make it easier than ever to connect with people around the world. Video presentations let us share information in ways that benefit people with disabilities. In-person events, too, have received a facelift: improved technology and rising awareness about accessibility have prompted event hosts to change the ways they reach their participants. 

So how can we, as leaders and team members, guarantee accessibility for ourselves and our colleagues with disabilities? 

In this “Accessibility 101” resource series, the team at Ability Central identifies and offers solutions to the most common accessibility pitfalls we’ve seen in the workplace. We cover how to center accessibility in your online meetings, video presentations, and in-person events, including tips for planning, hosting, and following up after every session.

You’ll learn:

  • How to choose an accessible event venue

  • When to hire an interpreter

  • Technology tips to improve accessibility at events

  • Scheduling suggestions for planning events and inviting attendees 

  • How to adapt to changing accessibility needs on the fly

  • Common accommodation requests and how to address them in advance

  • How to improve inclusivity during virtual and in-person sessions

  • How to make video content accessible

  • Communication tips for planning and promoting accessible events, meetings, and presentations

  • Accessibility tips for speakers and video presenters

  • What materials to send and questions to ask in follow-up communications

So, what does this mean for business leaders? 

Accessibility, at its heart, needs to be a team effort. It should be a natural part of workplace culture, not a separate initiative. There isn’t a magic formula for increasing accessibility or inclusivity. Instead, we must all be active participants in breaking down barriers in access.

Get started with the full series below:

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