Comments on: Access is Everyone’s Business

By: Tim Walker

Tim Walker — Fri, 16 May 2008 20:12:37 +0000

More power to you, Glenda — with the Accessibility 100 project and with the rest of your good endeavors.

Since I write about business, I think about the further business implications of accessibility. Sure, retail stores, movie theaters, and the like should be accessible for customers with disabilities, but beyond that, companies have to make sure that they’re giving a warm welcome to potential great hires — regardless of those hires’ disabilities.

Diversity consultants will tell you in a heartbeat that there is tremendous talent available among every ethnic group — but you have to have your eyes open for it. Smart corporations have also worked hard to ensure that people of any sexual orientation feel comfortable. When people feel welcome, they feel free to do their best work. And corporations need that talent to compete.

Here’s hoping that the Accessibility 100 project and related efforts help companies at every scale of business understand how people with disabilities can contribute to their success, and how the companies in turn can contribute to those folks’ lives as “employers of choice”.

By: Becky McCray

Becky McCray — Thu, 15 May 2008 04:19:14 +0000

Huzzah, Glenda! 100 cheers for the Accessibility 100!

By: Glenda

Glenda — Wed, 14 May 2008 02:36:37 +0000

Thanks Anneshirley, accessibility and seniors has been added to the list of post ideas!

By: AnneShirley Manion

AnneShirley Manion — Wed, 14 May 2008 02:01:56 +0000

You ladies have hit the nail on the head about the invisible disabilities. Most stores and malls don’t want seats because they don’t want loiterers, but many seniors like to shop and have money, but they also need to rest too. I have taken seniors on bus tours that are for seniors and then they had to walk a couple blocks to get to the place of entertainment or food. Sometimes there were steps and sometimes the chairs were so tight I could hardly fit into them. I also had this happen on a plane. I wonder what I would have done if I had been two inches wider?
Keep up the good work Glenda.

By: Ruth Ellison

Ruth Ellison — Tue, 13 May 2008 22:04:17 +0000

Congratulations on the start of a great series Glenda! I’ve been greatly anticipating this

I’m glad that you’re looking into invisible disabilities. They’re often overlooked!

Thanks Emese and Karen for the interesting information and tips.

By: Glenda

Glenda — Tue, 13 May 2008 20:15:42 +0000

Susan and Connie, I definitely appreciate your comments. Invisible disabilities are often overlooked in terms of accessibility. They are on my list to be covered during Accessibility 100!

By: Connie Reece

Connie Reece — Tue, 13 May 2008 19:09:07 +0000

Congratulations on your new series, Glenda. Please educate us on the importance of accessibility whether it’s online or offline. I have to agree with Susan’s comment too. I’ve been to events lately where there were no elevators — how can that be in this day and age?

By: Susan Reynolds

Susan Reynolds — Tue, 13 May 2008 17:33:41 +0000

Bravo for this series!

I’d like to also draw your attention to people with disabilities which are not immediately visible. Some of us are able to walk but not long distances. And we are unable to stand for long.

Yet conference planners & people who put together meetings and such just assume that we can walk stairs (podcamp DC for example where elevators were not available to conference-goers) or walk three or four blocks from the initial lecture/ demo or meeting space to where the group is having dinner together.

It’s not mean spirited but it never crosses their mind that everyone can’t physically do what planners can. Is there parking at the door? Is there parking even half a block away? Sometimes having public transportation available is great if a.) we can get to transportation on our home end and b.) we don’t have to walk the length of two football fields at each end of the journey.

Someone stop me. My list of “please consider this:” is obviously long