In all the discussions of DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion), there is an often overlooked, but critically important element: accessibility.
In 1980, The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was a landmark piece of civil rights legislation that “prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in various aspects of public life, including employment, transportation, public accommodations, and communications”. With accessibility assured, Diverse members of the community with disabilities finally had Equal opportunity to be Included in the community.
As we have observed in the years since, accessibility has greatly changed the lives of many people, and the communities they live in, for the better. Without accessibility, there is no inclusion. Without accessibility, there is no equality. And without accessibility, there is a lack of diversity.
An organization with a mission to “promote and defend the civil and human rights of people with physical, mental and all types of disabilities”, the ADA Watch provides news and analyses related to the ADA. For additional information about ADA, check out these sites: