The Access Coalition

Inclusive design is not only good for people – it’s good for business. Research shows it spurs innovation, resulting in products and services in demand by the broadest possible audience, and workplaces that attract and retain a broad base of talent—including the historically under-leveraged pool of talent represented by people with disabilities. In search of design guidance that centers accessibility and inclusion for built environments, The Access Coalition launched in October 2024. The Coalition has now grown to seven companies. The objective of the coalition is to create an open-source framework that builds on the strong foundation of the ADA, centered on five principles: human centered design, co-creation, transparency, research & evidence based, and a holistic systems approach to creating an accessible experience. The long-term vision of the Coalition is to innovate through inclusive design to include all people in retail and infrastructure experiences and create spaces that reflect the needs of diverse populations. The mission of the Coalition is to help retailers and others create inclusive spaces that welcome everyone by building co-authored frameworks, sharing open-source solutions, and proving the business case for accessibility. Interested in learning more after reading? Reach out to the Coalition's Senior Advisor, Kim Knackstedt (knackstedt@unlockaccess.org) to set up a call and join us in this work!