The Future of Work for People with Disabilities

As we celebrate the 10th anniversary of Global Accessibility Awareness Day this year, the following video conversations explore what the current and future landscape looks like for people with disabilities at work. Learn from these 4 professional leaders about how lived experience with disabilities have shaped their careers, what the future holds for people with disabilities, and the potential to make every workplace an inclusive workplace where technology understands and serves people with diverse needs.

Lydia X. Z. Brown
Policy Counsel, Center for Democracy & Technology

Chancey Fleet
Technology Educator

Haley Moss
Attorney and Educator

Ather Sharif
Software Engineer at Comcast and Founder of EvoXLabs

Watch the Videos

Global Accessibility Awareness Day 10 year Anniversary

Technology can and should break barriers for people with disabilities in the workplace. Let’s ensure that the future of work is born accessible.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

AI holds tremendous workplace potential, but also risks related to privacy, ethics, and bias. Learn more about Artificial Intelligence.

Autonomous Vehicles (AV)

Accessible AVs could create equitable access to transportation and employment. Learn more about Autonomous Vehicles.

Extended Reality (XR)

XR is changing the way we interact with the world around us—and the future of work. Learn more about Extended Reality.

Digital Accessibility

Are your company’s virtual doors open to everyone? If the technology you use isn’t accessible, you could be missing out on top talent. Learn more about Digital Accessibility.

Video: How Employers & HR Professionals Can Prepare for Emerging Tech in the Workplace
Emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI) and virtual and augmented reality (XR), will shape the workplace of the future. They will change how organizations hire, train, and support employees, including those with disabilities.
Read More »
Teach Access: A Case Study
Teach Access was launched in 2015 to address the critical need of including digital accessibility in the technology curricula for students at the college and university level. This case study provides an in-depth look at these steps and outlines how the Teach Access Initiative is evolving and laying the groundwork for its next phase of maturity.
Read More »
Why Employers Should Allow Audio-Only Status on Calls
Virtual meetings have many advantages, like enabling team collaboration without geographic barriers. However, video calls have also been proven to cause burnout, especially when they take place throughout the day.
Read More »
Telework Accessibility and the Law
This resource covers United States policies that apply to telework accessibility. In short, U.S. policies require most private and public employers who offer telework to ensure their telework tools are accessible.
Read More »

Ethics and Bias in Artificial Intelligence (AI) Technology

Merve Hickok, Founder of AIethicist.org, discusses the risks employers carry when they use AI-enabled technology in HR and the questions they should ask vendors to avoid bias and discrimination.

Go to the Future of Work podcast

Video: Disability-Led Innovation in Future Workplaces

This SXSW 2021 session explores the #FutureOfWork and how we can ensure people with disabilities are able to contribute their knowledge, skills, and experience toward the design of emerging tech.

Watch the video / Read the transcript

FEATURED TOOLKIT

Telework and Accessibility

Resources to help equip employers with the information needed to ensure that the virtual workplace is accessible to everyone, including people with disabilities

Go to Telework & Accessibility Toolkit

Explore PEAT’s Workplace Accessibility Toolkits

Staff Training

Find detailed guidance for training employees across your organization with the accessibility knowledge they need, specific to their role. Learn more about our Staff Training Resources.

TalentWorks

The online resource that helps employers and human resources (HR) professionals make their eRecruiting technologies accessible to all job seekers—including those with disabilities. Learn more about TalentWorks.

Buy-IT!

This procurement guide for employers and their purchasing staff helps ensure that the ICT you buy and implement works for as many people as possible. Learn more about Buy-IT!.

Policy Matters

Policy analysis and news regarding laws and regulations, court decisions, and government resources related to the accessibility of technology used in all aspects of employment. Learn more about Policy Matters.

Featured Resources

Model Procurement Language for ICT

Employers and others can add the following procurement language to contracts with product vendors to enhance the accessibility of purchased or licensed products.

Visually impaired woman talking on mobile phone

How is the Department of Justice (DOJ) Addressing Website and ICT Accessibility?

Explore 175 settlements addressing how the ADA applies to digital accessibility. Through these agreements, employers and other covered entities can understand DOJ priorities and how to proactively comply with existing rules and guidance.

A black man using a power wheelchair recording a podcast on his computer.

Checklist for an Accessible Virtual Meeting & Presentation

Use this checklist to make sure your virtual meetings and presentations are accessible.

About the Partnership on Employment & Accessible Technology (PEAT)

Our mission is to foster collaborations that make emerging technologies accessible. To support workplaces in using inclusive technologies that engage the skills of employees with disabilities. To build a future that works.

Learn More About PEAT