Purpose-driven Insights: Building Inclusion in Business

Creating an inclusive workplace for people with disabilities is more than a moral imperative—it’s a powerful way to foster innovation, broaden talent pools, and enrich company culture. In this round-up, business leaders share actionable strategies for making workplaces accessible and equitable. From implementing flexible remote-work policies and accessible digital platforms to inclusive hiring practices and comprehensive staff training, these insights demonstrate how businesses can empower individuals with disabilities while driving success and growth.

Implement Flexible Remote-Work Policy

We’ve always believed that great ideas can come from anyone, regardless of their background or abilities. One of the ways we’ve tried to create a more inclusive environment is by implementing a flexible remote-work policy. This allows team members who might have mobility issues or other physical challenges to work comfortably from home, without sacrificing their career growth or opportunities within the company.

We’ve also made sure our digital tools and platforms are accessible, using things like screen readers and voice-to-text software. I remember when one of our team members, who has a visual impairment, suggested we could improve our slide-deck templates. We worked together to create more accessible designs with higher contrast and clearer layouts. It not only helped him but made our presentations better for everyone.

In our hiring process, we focus on skills and potential rather than traditional credentials or work history. This approach has opened doors for talented individuals who might have faced barriers in more conventional corporate settings. We’ve found that this diversity of perspectives has actually improved our problem-solving abilities and made us more innovative as a company. It’s not just about being inclusive—it’s about recognizing that different experiences and viewpoints make us stronger as a team and better equipped to serve our diverse client base.

Niclas Schlopsna, Managing Consultant and CEO, spectup

Design Accessible Online Platforms

To create an inclusive environment for people with disabilities, we focus on making our resources and community accessible to everyone.

One significant step we’ve taken is to ensure our online platforms are designed with accessibility in mind. This includes providing our content in various formats, such as text, audio, and video—with features like captions and transcripts. This way, women with different abilities can engage with our resources at their own pace.

We also prioritize collecting feedback from our community to understand the specific needs of individuals with disabilities. This dialogue helps us identify barriers and implement changes, ensuring everyone feels welcome and supported.

By fostering an inclusive environment, we not only empower women with disabilities to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams but also enrich our community as a whole. We believe every woman deserves the opportunity to explore her potential and experience the freedom that comes with entrepreneurship, regardless of her circumstances.

Danielle Hu, Founder, The Wanderlover

Ensure Digital Resources Are Accessible

We prioritize inclusivity by ensuring that all digital resources are accessible to users with disabilities. We’ve implemented screen-reader-friendly interfaces and captions for all video tutorials. When a parent reached out mentioning accessibility needs for their child, our team worked to tailor tutoring sessions that accommodated their specific requirements. This effort to remove barriers for students with disabilities has made us a trusted option for diverse families, expanding our community and improving educational access for all.

Tornike Asatiani, CEO, Edumentors

Make Web Accessibility Standard

At our website development agency, creating an inclusive environment isn’t just a goal—it’s a core part of our digital DNA. One key way we’ve tackled this is by making web accessibility a standard feature in all our projects, not just an optional add-on.

We’ve implemented a rigorous process where every website we build undergoes thorough accessibility testing. It’s like giving each site a digital health checkup, ensuring it’s navigable for users with various disabilities. We use tools like screen readers and keyboard-only navigation to simulate different user experiences.

This approach has not only removed barriers for people with disabilities but also opened up new opportunities for our clients. By making their websites more accessible, we’re helping them reach a wider audience and comply with accessibility standards.

The result? We’ve seen a 30% increase in positive feedback from users with disabilities, and our clients are reaping the benefits of increased engagement and conversions. It’s a win-win that proves inclusivity isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s good for business too.

Harmanjit Singh, Founder & CEO, Website Design Brampton

Inclusive Hiring Processes

We work on creating an inclusive environment by making sure that our HR department has hiring processes that are inclusive of disabilities and opens up opportunities for all. We are a hybrid-remote workplace, which is already inclusive, but make sure we take other steps to be inclusive, such as flexible work hours and generous PTO.

When deciding how we could be more inclusive, we researched problems people with disabilities face and found that employment discrimination is one of the biggest ones. Making the effort to make our workplace friendly to new hires with disabilities is the first step towards change.

David Holman, CMO, Textun

Comprehensive Accessibility Program

We’ve implemented a comprehensive accessibility program to create an inclusive environment for people with disabilities. One significant initiative was redesigning our online application process to be fully accessible, including compatibility with screen readers and keyboard navigation. We also provide adaptive equipment and flexible work arrangements for employees with disabilities. 

For our events, we’ve developed a checklist to ensure venue accessibility and train our staff in disability etiquette. These efforts have not only broadened our talent pool but also improved our service offerings. For instance, having staff members with diverse abilities has enhanced our ability to cater to clients with specific accessibility needs, leading to new business opportunities and a more inclusive event experience for all attendees.

Daniel Meursing, Founder/CEO/CFO, Premier Staff

Offer Flexible Communication Methods

Inclusivity is not just a goal but a commitment. Given my experience in personal-injury law, I understand the impact of barriers related to physical and cognitive disabilities. We actively work to eliminate these barriers by equipping our office with accessible facilities, ensuring that all clients, regardless of physical ability, can navigate our environment comfortably.

One specific way we’ve fostered inclusivity is by offering flexible communication methods, such as video calls and written notes, which cater to those with hearing or speech disabilities. Furthermore, we’ve taken on numerous cases that advocate for the rights of disabled individuals, like the $6 million settlement for a family where a young boy suffered a traumatic brain injury. Such cases not only provide crucial compensation but also strive to set precedents that ensure safety and equal access in broader communities.

Our commitment extends to community involvement as well. As board members of the WIN Foundation, we push for legal and awareness campaigns that support women and children impacted by abuse. By focusing on vulnerable populations, we actively remove barriers to legal representation and advocate for safer and more inclusive environments.

Maryam Parman, Managing Attorney, Avrek Law Firm

Implement Web-Accessibility Measures

One effective approach is to implement comprehensive web-accessibility measures. This involves optimizing the company’s website and digital platforms to comply with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). Features like screen-reader compatibility, keyboard navigability, and alternative text for images ensure that people with visual, auditory, or motor impairments can access and interact with content seamlessly. This initiative not only promotes inclusivity but also expands access to information and services, creating equal opportunities for individuals with disabilities to engage with the business.

Javed Sultan, SEO Specialist, ARTECH XPERT

Provide Comprehensive Staff Training

Creating an inclusive environment for individuals with disabilities is something I’m passionate about. We’ve taken some meaningful steps to ensure everyone has equal access to our services. One of the first things we did was provide comprehensive training for our staff so they understand the unique needs of clients with disabilities. It’s essential for our team to be equipped not just with logistical skills but also with the ability to communicate effectively and warmly.

I also believe that investing in specialized equipment can make a huge difference. Our vans are fitted with ramps and securing devices, making it easier for those with mobility challenges to load and unload their belongings. We offer personalized moving plans, allowing clients to share their specific needs in advance. This way, we can tailor our services to ensure a smooth experience.

Additionally, I’ve established partnerships with local disability-advocacy groups to gather feedback and continuously improve. Staying informed about the latest accessibility standards and innovations helps us refine our operations. Ultimately, it’s about creating a community where everyone feels valued and included, and I take that responsibility to heart.

Laurie Williams, Founder, Man And Van Greenwich

Foster Inclusive Work Environment

We weave our sense of inclusion into every angle, whether it’s hiring or when we interact with clients. We include our website, which is screen-reader-friendly, with high contrast on dark or light backgrounds, so it’s easier to read. Internally, flexible scheduling and the option to work from home enable the accommodation of team members, fostering a supportive workplace. We have recently contracted with an accessibility consultant to identify areas for improvement, creating a more inclusive experience for everyone. An accessible environment ensures every talent is set to thrive here, underlining our commitment to diversity.

George Silagadze, Co-founder & CEO, Photo2painting

About Purpose-driven Insights

Welcome to Store with a Heart’s HeartBeat’s blog series, Purpose-Driven Insights, which unites experts and changemakers to discuss what it really means to make a difference. This series offers readers practical advice and novel viewpoints by showcasing insights from leaders in charity, sustainability, mental health, social entrepreneurship, and other fields through insightful round-ups and interviews.

Purpose-Driven Insights offers the insight and motivation required to transform your goals into significant action, whether your goal is to lead with compassion, improve your community, or support a cause that is dear to your heart. Come explore organizational strategies, individual experiences, expert insights, and industry practices that enable us all to make a positive impact on a more compassionate and interconnected society.

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