What you should know about Workplace accessibility

<<< Start >>>

<<< End >>>

The importance of disability inclusion was illuminated on December 3 as more than 60 of our Accenture office locations were lit up in purple on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IPDWD).

IPDWD  ̶ A special day to recognize what we do every day to work towards a barrier-free and inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive.

Our Collen Reedy, Senior Manager, Corporate Services and Sustainability shines a light on the things everyone should know about the services, accommodations and support that are available for people and interview candidates with disabilities across the globe.

Creating change with accessibility

Accessibility is a workplace essential.

Our Accessibility program provides workplace accommodations, implements inclusive design in our workplaces, offers leading-edge technologies for our people, and encourages technology accessibility with our partners and suppliers. As a result, we help people work most productively, whether they are in an office, at home, at a client, or on the go.

Workplace accommodations for interview candidates, too

Our people at Accenture request accommodations including assistive technology, web accessibility, workplace accessibility and more through the Accommodation Support Tool, which is designed to humanize technology and provide accommodations efficiently.

We also have Accessibility Centers—experience zones that provide assistive technology solutions for different needs. These provide a physical space where people can interact with assistive technology and ergonomic equipment and learn from and collaborate with colleagues. We have 32 centers open across the globe in Asia, Australia, Europe, North America and South America.

Interview candidates looking to join us can also request for accommodation support via their recruiters. If needed, our accessibility centers can be leveraged during the interview process.  

Diverse solutions for diverse needs

So, what kinds of accommodations are available?

We offer unique solutions that cater to specific needs—from hearing, vision, cognitive, and mobility solutions, to disability prevention technology. For example:

• Headsets and speech-to-text technology that help persons with hearing disability participate in conference calls.
• Keyboards that make typing easier for persons with vision impairment.
• Motorized wheelchairs that help our people with physical disability get around the office.
• Disability prevention equipment such as ergonomic seat cushions, anti-fatigue foot mats and blue light blocking glasses.

We exceed accessibility standards

I believe that it’s important for companies to not only meet accessibility standards but exceed them.

Here are a few actions we take to continually strive for excellence:

• Talk with internal and external subject matter experts to create and improve processes and programs.
• Embed accessibility guidelines in real estate design standards.
• Develop a mindset of inclusivity where accessibility is always considered.
• Engage with critical stakeholders and perform impact analysis.
  
  Organizations need to be creative and agile in supporting their people, especially as needs keep evolving.

Scaling new heights in accessibility

In addition to continued investment in our physical network of centers, we are making our solutions more innovative and futuristic.  

Our mobile Accessibility Centers allow for flexibility and the ability to showcase our capabilities to external partners and local communities. And we’re evolving our multi-channel technology support for people with disabilities, offered through chatbot, SMS and video sign language.

And equally important is our continued education on disability inclusion, taking our culture of equality from strength to strength.

Find your fit with Accenture.