5 Everyday Ways to Build Accessibility for People Living with Disabilities

People living with a disability are often obstructed from full participation in society. Daily realities for members of the disabled community can include chronic pain, limited mobility, frequent medical treatment, and higher costs of living. Those who are able-bodied and neuro-typical reap the benefits of a world built for their convenience. Perhaps with this privileged position, those with the most opportunities and mobility can play a larger role in making the world more accessible. 

Here are 5 small, everyday actions we can practice to create a world that welcomes people of all abilities:

1. Watch your language.

Be mindful of your word choice; words create a framework for inclusivity. Look for places where you can use inclusive language that respects and acknowledges people's identities, experiences, and differences. Using the pronoun ‘everyone’ or everybody’ instead of ‘you guys’ makes a conversation inclusive. Another great option is to use ‘People First’ language, referring to the person first, and then their disability. For example, instead of “deaf man,” use “man who is deaf.” The ADL has a guide available with even more terms and education here. Reflect on the language you use that might be discriminatory, hurtful, or exclusive to specific groups. Worried you’re getting it wrong? It never hurts to go one step further and ask about people’s preferred pronouns.

2. Listen more than you speak.

We all want to be heard, but are we as willing to listen? This includes giving your full attention, showing empathy, and finding ways to validate people’s feelings and experiences. This month, take a moment to think about how you make room to listen and understand people’s perspectives, especially those different from your own. How good a listener are you? Check out this list of good listening traits and see how you can improve.

3. Create opportunities for accessibility.

Unless you’ve had to make adaptations in your home or work setting to accommodate a person’s disability, it might be challenging to activate a new awareness. That’s okay! We’re all learning. Check out this list of ten ways to make your home more accessible and expand your thinking on the topic.

Accessibility goes beyond home and office logistics and includes respecting our shared humanity and dignity. What does this look like in practice? Increasing access to things like child care and public transportation, online options for those who can’t attend various functions in person, ease of entry and exit in public spaces for those with limited mobility, wheelchair-accessible seating, and restrooms, and so much more. We must expand our definition of “access” by asking folks with disabilities what they need in order to feel considered, accommodated, and valued. 

In digital spaces, you can ensure your content is accessible to everyone, including those with disabilities. Add alt texts to images for those with vision impairments. Provide captions for videos for people with hearing impairments. Use content notices for posts that may be harmful or triggering. Ensure that your website or web materials are compatible with screen readers. Adjustments like these go a very long way.

4. Keep learning!

Did you know that there are more than 20 million working-age people with disabilities, but only 7.5 million have jobs? Biases and discrimination in hiring practices lead to increased hardship. Opportunities lead to empowerment, confidence, and a better quality of life. You can learn more about what's being done to protect and empower this community by following The National Disability Rights Network, which fights for the rights of people with disabilities.

5. Speak up, speak out.

Inclusion refers to our personal behavior, but also how we influence the space around us. It means advocating for respect and accommodations in government, the workplace, and the media. Lend your voice and speak up for policies, practices, and representatives that foster diversity and inclusion. While it may be challenging or uncomfortable, work to call out discrimination when you see it. Striving to be inclusive and accessible is a continuous learning process. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, learn, and grow along the way!

One of the most powerful ways to use your voice to support the disabled community is to vote! Find candidates and policies that support the disabled community and vote for laws that protect and expand disability rights.

Make sure your voter registration is up to date HERE. And if you’re living in a place that makes it hard for people with disabilities to vote, check out the Brink app. It was made with you in mind.