How to make your office disability-friendly

Do you think your office is disability-friendly? ♿ Want to check if it is? Here are my top 5 recommendations to employ and engage more people with disabilities, chronic illnesses and neurodiversity:

First of all, the overview here is a beginner’s guide. I still recommend remote and flexible work over offices, as this is the ultimate enablement.

That being said, if it has to be a shared office for any reason this is what you can do.

1️⃣ The classics
Your building should provide braille room designations, menu listings (if you have a canteen) and signposts. Voice overs help to navigate in the elevators. Ramps for people with walking aids or wheelchairs help them to enter every part for the building.

2️⃣ Assistive technology & accommodations
Don’t make it hard for people to use hard- and software that helps them. From screen readers, dyslexia-friendly scripts (thank you for the info Heiko Harthun!) to voice-amplifying devices — make it safe and easy for your employees and guests to use them. Create a culture for that.

Stick to general accessibility rules, such as color contrast in presentations. Educate yourself about them. Use captions and provide sign language translators (often free of charge in Germany!)