Given the growing emphasis on diversity, equity and inclusion in modern work environments, it’s never been more important for business owners and administrators to prioritize accessibility in the workplace. Creating an inclusive, productive and legally compliant environment for all employees not only improves employee satisfaction, but boosts workplace efficiency and productivity across a wide range of industries.
Whether it’s through physical accommodations in the office or digital solutions for remote and hybrid employees, accessibility must be embedded into a company’s operations to adequately foster broad-spectrum equity and inclusion in the workplace. Read on to learn more about the growing need for accessibility in the workplace and to explore some tried-and-true best practices for boosting workplace inclusivity while supporting accessibility standards and guidelines.
The importance of accessibility in the workplace
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of US employees with reported disabilities is slightly on the rise. However, accessibility in the workplace needs to be top of mind for all business owners and their employees. At its most basic level, accessibility in the workplace is about ensuring that all employees — regardless of their disability status — can perform their jobs without unnecessary barriers or burdens. The need for workplace accessibility extends beyond physical accommodations in many cases and has major implications for the digital tools, workflows and communication protocols that employees engage with on a daily basis.
In addition to making work environments more engaging and inclusive, workplace accessibility initiatives play a major role in supporting critical legal standards and guidelines. Many countries have enacted laws requiring businesses to provide reasonable accommodations for employees with disabilities to ensure all workers can complete their job duties equitably, efficiently and successfully. In the US, for example, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) clearly outline business owners’ responsibilities with respect to providing equitable work environments.
However, workplace accessibility is more than just a legal obligation — it’s a moral imperative. Inclusive workplaces benefit from diverse perspectives which leads to greater innovation, increased employee morale and more widespread consumer brand confidence. By investing in cultivating an accessible workplace, business owners can create a culture of respect and inclusivity that can, over time, offer valuable returns in the way of increased productivity and employee retention rates.
Physical accessibility requirements in the office
For many people, physical accommodations are the first thing that comes to mind when contemplating workplace accessibility. The ADA outlines very clear requirements and expectations for the physical accessibility of brick-and-mortar offices and places of business. These include:
Accessible entrances and exits: All entrances, exits and parking areas must be accessible to wheelchair-users and those with mobility-related disabilities. In some cases, ramps, automatic doors, elevators or designated parking spots may be mandated by the ADA and must be present for use by employees and customers alike.
Restrooms and break areas: Restrooms and break areas must also be available and accessible to those employees who use wheelchairs or other mobility aids. An accessible restroom should include wide stalls, grab bars and/or low sinks so all employees can take full advantage of the facilities.
Workspace adjustments: Individual workstations can and should be adjustable to meet the needs of employees. Some employees may require height-adjustable desks, for example, while others may need ergonomic chairs and keyboards to prevent physical strain and discomfort during the workday.
Historically, these kinds of physical accommodations have played a major role in cultivating equitable and accessible work environments, but what does accessibility look like in our increasingly digital business landscape? Below, we will explore the growing need for digital accessibility practices in remote and hybrid work environments.
Accessibility goes digital
Following the events of the COVID-19 pandemic, the popularity of remote and hybrid work arrangements has been steadily increasing around the globe. Given the increasingly digital nature of our modern workflows, digital and online accessibility considerations have proven to be just as critical as those pertaining to physical accessibility.
Digital accessibility ensures that employees with disabilities, neurodivergent conditions and specific learning needs can fully engage with online tools, software solutions and communication platforms employed in the workplace. The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) specifically outlines best practices for digital accessibility in its Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). These standards outline how to make websites, applications and other digital platforms accessible to people with a wide range of disabilities and other needs.
Some of the expectations enumerated by the WCAG include:
Screen reader compatibility: Business owners should ensure that websites and digital tools are compatible with screen readers to guarantee accessibility for those community members who are blind or have low vision.
Keyboard navigation: Digital platforms should be navigable using a keyboard or other accessibility tool for employees who cannot comfortably use a mouse.
Text descriptions for images: Adding alt text to images ensures that screen readers can describe visual content to users. This may be particularly valuable for workplace resources like PowerPoint presentations that include visual representations of data like charts and graphs.
Captioning and transcription for content and communications: Information being shared in an auditory format should be made available in alternative, readable formats to support employees who are Deaf or hard of hearing. Accurate captions and transcripts can be used to provide more equitable content experiences, as well as to enhance the accessibility of communications like Zoom meetings and conference calls.
For remote workers, companies must ensure that digital meetings, learning/training materials and presentations are accessible to all. Proactively providing these kinds of digital accommodations is also a great way to foster a spirit of inclusivity within the workplace and empower all employees to achieve their maximum potential.
Verbit’s approach to workplace accessibility
Verbit is a leading provider of assistive technology solutions for businesses across a wide range of industries. With Verbit, business owners can easily implement accessibility tools like captioning, transcription and audio description into their existing workflows without compromising on efficiency, accuracy or affordability.
While many other assistive technology solutions rely solely upon artificial intelligence to create captions, transcripts or audio description recordings, Verbit’s unique approach integrates all the best parts of AI with the high-level expertise of accessibility experts and other industry professionals.
Verbit’s proprietary AI software also boasts industry leading accuracy rates that rise to the high standards set by accessibility requirements like the ADA and WCAG. Subsequently, business owners can rest assured that the accessibility support offered by Verbit is setting their entire business up for long-term success. Verbit’s platform also offers advanced functions and tools like a generative AI-powered feature set and fully searchable audio and video transcripts.
The best part? Verbit’s platform integrates seamlessly with many of the media and communication platforms business leaders already know and love, so it’s fast and easy to enhance accessibility in workplace operations of many different varieties. By proactively offering these kinds of comprehensive accessibility tools to employees, partners and clients, business owners can foster a greater sense of inclusion in both physical and online work environments while rising to the challenge of supporting new and evolving accessibility requirements.
The future of accessibility in the workplace
In the years to come, developing an accessible workplace will continue to be a top priority for business owners, managers and administrators around the world. Today’s employees expect their work environments to be fully equitable and inclusive, and for good reason. Even though enacting workplace accessibility does present with major legal implications, ensuring accessibility in the workplace is about more than just complying with laws. At the end of the day, it’s about fostering an inclusive environment where all employees can succeed without limits.
Incorporating some of the best practices outlined in this blog is a great place for business owners to start in their efforts to boost workplace accessibility. If you’re interested in learning more about how Verbit’s assistive technology platform could help you maximize accessibility and productivity in your physical office spaces, digital communications or work-related events, reach out today to speak to a member of the Verbit team.