As organizations today place more emphasis on improving workplace culture and operations, efforts to enhance inclusion and accessibility are top of mind for many. Change can be challenging, but the rewards of increasing accessibility competence can be meaningful and lasting.
According to Diane Biesinger, a senior manager with the Human Resources Professionals Association (HRPA), organizations can truly flourish when the principles of inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility (IDEA) are used to help guide purposeful action to improve accessibility competence.
“A workplace benefits from having many thoughts and ideas coming from a variety of different individuals so it’s essential to ensure people with a range of lived experiences are part of the conversation,” she notes. “Varied input is key to being leading edge and making thoughtful decisions that serve not only the needs of the workplace but also its clients or customers.”
It is the desire for foundational change that drives the work of the Accessibility Institute at Carleton University. One of their flagship projects is a unique non-credit educational offering specifically designed to bridge the gap between accessibility awareness and workplace operations.
New program educates professionals on key competencies
Focusing on upskilling professionals, the Institute’s new Professional Education for Accessibility Competence (PEAC) program emphasizes key competencies in workplace accessibility, empowering individuals and their organizations to implement practices and move beyond compliance to genuine inclusion.
Enhanced accessibility competence helps attract and retain talented employees and ultimately makes for a more competitive, dynamic organization which fosters greater trust and therefore retention, says Biesinger. “By helping individuals feel like they truly belong, they can perform at their best and be stronger collaborators, which opens the floodgates for a greater journey in the workplace and beyond. The PEAC program is a great foundation for individuals and organizations wanting to get started.”
“PEAC enriches and supports the shared understanding of accessibility in professional environments,” explains Tara Connolly, an assistant director at the Accessibility Institute. “The modules are designed to deepen comprehension of accessibility and disability perspectives and enable participants to emerge equipped to elevate inclusivity and make change within their own spheres of influence,” she adds.
Connolly is quick to point out that accessibility is everybody’s business, not just those involved in the accommodation process. “Now or in the future we will all need accessibility in our environments, whether due to aging, injuries, or invisible disabilities. Nimble, flexible workplaces designed with inclusivity for all can only occur when there is attitudinal awareness that accessibility is for all. PEAC helps create a solid foundation on this critical issue and serves as a springboard for further learning.”
Every organization, large or small, will reap myriad benefits from enhanced accessibility competence. If you’re ready to get started, find out more about the Accessibility Institute’s PEAC program and register for an upcoming session.