In our first blog, we covered why disability inclusion is good for business. So now how do organizations move from awareness to action?

Here’s a roadmap for embedding disability inclusion into every layer of your business:

Step 1: Commit from the top

Action: Executive leaders should make accessibility a visible priority, backed by policy and budget.

Impact: Sends a clear message that inclusion is a part of business strategy, not a side project.

Step 2: Audit your barriers.

Action: Review digital tools, hiring processes, physical spaces, and company culture. Ask employees with disability what’s working and what isn’t.

Impact: Reveals where change will make the biggest impact and have and highest ROI.

Step 3: Invest in education.

Action: Provide disability inclusion training for HR, managers, and coworkers.

Impact: Builds confidence and reduces unintentional bias.

Step 4: Offer accommodations early and easily.

Action: Normalize the process. Use clear, accessible forms and emphasize that adjustments are standard practice.

Impact: Improves productivity and morale.

Step 5: Partner with the community.

Action: Collaborate with disability-led organizations and consultants to co-design solutions.

Impact: Centers lived experience and ensures real accessibility.

Step 6: Track and share progress.

Action: Measure hiring, retention, promotions, and engagement by disability status. If you don’t already engage in global self-identification surveys, this is a great time to start.

Impact: Data drives accountability and transparency.

Inclusion isn’t static — it’s a process of continual learning, feedback, and improvement. The most successful organizations treat accessibility as part of innovation, not regulation.

A Culture Shift Worth Making

A resonant phrase  from accessibility work is “nothing about us without us.” It’s a reminder that inclusion begins by centering the voices of people who know the barriers best.

When workplaces are designed with disabled employees in mind — flexible hours, accessible technology, hybrid options, clear communication — they tend to become better workplaces for everyone. Parents, caregivers, and employees managing chronic health conditions all benefit from those same supports.

The return on investment is tangible: lower turnover, greater innovation, a stronger reputation, and access to a customer base that values equity. But there’s also an immeasurable gain — a culture where people can bring their best selves to work.

Closing Thoughts

Disability employment is not a niche issue. It’s a reflection of whether our systems truly believe that everyone belongs. As we celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month, let’s move beyond awareness into action:

• Hire disabled talent intentionally.
• Design accessible workplaces from the start.
• Treat inclusion as infrastructure, not charity.

Because when people with disabilities thrive at work, businesses do too — and that’s a win for everyone. Lifeworks is your partner of choice in advancing disability inclusion. Our Disability Inclusion Training and Consulting services are customized to your business or organization, meeting you wherever you are on your accessibility journey.

Book a free 30-minute consultation with us by clicking the button below.

The Lifeworks & Isadore Nut Co. “Gifting for Good” Tin

Available for pre-order throughout October, this beautifully packaged, co-branded tin is filled with four of Isadore Nut Co.’s award-winning blends and is more than a gift – it’s a statement. For each gift tin purchased, $5 will be donated directly to Lifeworks, fueling our work to advance disability inclusion.

Pre-orders for the limited-edition Lifeworks & Isadore Nut Co. gift tin are open until October 31, 2025, with gift tins starting to ship on November 10, 2025 – just in time for holiday gatherings or corporate gifting!

Why It Matters

In Minnesota, people with disabilities experience unemployment at nearly twice the rate of people without disabilities. By purchasing a limited-edition Lifeworks & Isadore Nut Co. gift tin, you are not only giving a thoughtful gift – you are helping create more equitable opportunities for people with disabilities to thrive at work and in the community.

Steve was in the strip mall for something else entirely when he noticed a sign outside a bright, modern storefront: “Come on in and ask us about disability inclusion.” 

He glanced at the time: fifteen minutes to spare. 

Inside, Steve was greeted by a friendly Lifeworks host who welcomed him warmly and offered a tour of the space. “I’m just checking it out,” Steve said with a half-smile. “Wasn’t planning on anything.” 

“No problem at all,” the host replied. “That’s what we’re here for.”

As they walked around the space, Steve was struck by how inviting it all felt with comfortable seating areas and a lot of natural light. But one detail in particular made him pause: the accessible restroom, equipped not only with grab bars and turning space, but with a full-sized adult changing table and lifting mechanism. 

“I’ve never seen anything like that,” Steve admitted. 

The host nodded. “Most people haven’t. But the truth is, for many people with disabilities, not having a restroom like this means they can’t go out into the community like you or me. Or they’re forced to be changed on a bathroom floor, which is dangerous and humiliating.” 

Steve’s expression shifted. “I hadn’t thought about that. I think I just assumed disability was about Social Security. You know, people who can’t work.” 

The host gently explained that disability is a broad and diverse experience, not a single definition or outcome. They talked about the services Lifeworks offers, from in-home supports to job coaching to community-based Day Support Services. And how the Centers for Disability Inclusion, like the one in New Hope, are meant to challenge assumptions and build real belonging. 

“Disability inclusion,” the host said, “shouldn’t be the exception in our communities – it should be the standard.” 

Steve stayed for a few more minutes, asked a few more questions, and left with more than he expected: not just information, but a shift in how he thought about people, space, and community. 

That night at dinner, Steve brought it up. “Did you know disability is the only minority group any of us can join at any time?” he asked. His family looked up, interested. Steve smiled. “Yeah. I didn’t either. But I learned a lot today – just by walking through the right door.” 

About the Series

This post is part of our new blog series: “A Day at the Lifeworks Center for Disability Inclusion – New Hope.” Each story in the series reflects real experiences shared with us by people who visit the center – whether for Day Support, Employment, In-Home or Navigation Services, or stopping by for a training, education sessions, or community event.

To honor the privacy of individuals and highlight the many ways people engage with the space, names and details are blended to paint a fuller picture of what accessing a Center for Disability Inclusion looks like in everyday life.

Other Posts in this Series

Finding the Right Support Through Navigation Services

Creating Community Through Day Support Services

Gaining New Perspectives on Disability Inclusion Through Trainings

Moving Forward with Employment

For months, Diane had been working hard to find the right job. She had partnered with her Lifeworks job coach to identify her strengths, update her résumé, and apply to roles that matched her interests. But no matter how prepared she was, the job search was discouraging.

In interview after interview, Diane felt like she had to choose between disclosing her disability or being passed over. Some employers didn’t understand her accommodation needs. Others weren’t willing to try.

“I started wondering if there was even a place for me,” she said.

That’s when her job coach suggested they set up an informational interview as a chance to talk with a local employer in a low-pressure setting, ask questions, and find out what kind of support she might expect if she applied. The goal wasn’t to land the job that day – it was to gather real information and start a dialogue.

They reached out to a nearby manufacturing company whose hiring manager was open to learning more. Together, they scheduled a meeting at the Lifeworks Center for Disability Inclusion – New Hope, a welcoming space designed for conversations just like this one.

The three of them met in the center’s quiet focus room, where Diane felt comfortable and in control of the conversation. With her job coach nearby for support, Diane asked the questions that mattered to her: What does a typical day look like? What kind of training is provided? How are accommodations handled on the job?

The hiring manager was thoughtful and honest. They talked through the responsibilities of the role, shared what the company culture was like, and listened carefully as Diane described the accommodations that would help her thrive.

By the end of the conversation, Diane felt something she hadn’t felt in a long time: hope. Not only did she better understand what the job would require, she also saw a path forward.

And the employer? They left with a clearer understanding of how accommodations can be simple, effective, and beneficial for everyone.

“This gave me ideas for changes we could make for all new hires,” the hiring manager shared. “I’m realizing disability inclusion isn’t complicated – it just takes intention.”

About the Series

This post is part of our new blog series: “A Day at the Lifeworks Center for Disability Inclusion – New Hope.” Each story in the series reflects real experiences shared with us by people who visit the center – whether for Day Support, Employment, In-Home or Navigation Services, or stopping by for a training, education sessions, or community event.

To honor the privacy of individuals and highlight the many ways people engage with the space, names and details are blended to paint a fuller picture of what accessing a Center for Disability Inclusion looks like in everyday life.

Other Posts in this Series

Finding the Right Support Through Navigation Services

Creating Community Through Day Support Services

Gaining New Perspectives on Disability Inclusion Through Trainings

When Sasha pulled into the parking lot of the Lifeworks Center for Disability Inclusion – New Hope, she wasn’t quite sure what to expect. Her company, located just a few minutes away, had purchased an in-person training on inclusive workplaces for people with disabilities. Sasha, who worked in Human Resources at her company, signed up to attend because she enjoys professional development sessions and figured she might learn a few new HR best practices.

What she didn’t expect was to be surprised before she even stepped inside.

“I thought it was going to feel like an old warehouse or clinic,” Sasha admitted later. “I guess that’s just what I’ve pictured, based on things my neighbor has said about a different disability center his niece goes to.”

Instead, Sasha found a bright, modern space with natural light, thoughtful design, and welcoming energy. The host who greeted her offered coffee and a smile and invited her to take a look around.

“It didn’t feel like a ‘disability services’ building,” Sasha said. “It felt like a space I would hang out at on the weekends.”

The training began with an introduction to Lifeworks and what a Center for Disability Inclusion is – a neighborhood space where people with and without disabilities can learn, connect, and build a more inclusive future together. Then the facilitator led the group into the training: how to create workplaces where people with disabilities not only feel welcomed but truly belong.

As the training unfolded, Sasha’s understanding began to shift.

She learned that most disabilities aren’t apparent, and that it’s likely some of her coworkers may already identify as disabled but haven’t disclosed it at work. She was surprised to discover that accessible practices, like flexible work hours or quieter spaces, benefit everyone, not just people with disabilities. She heard real stories, reflected on unintentional bias, and got practical tools to take action.

By the end of the session, Sasha walked away with a checklist of easy ways to make her office more inclusive and a whole new mindset.

“I’m  excited to go back to work tomorrow,” she said. “I already have three things I want to start doing differently.”

Before heading out, Sasha lingered in the lobby for a moment and made a mental note to tell her neighbor about the Lifeworks Center for Disability Inclusion – how open, accessible, and beautiful it was, and how it might be a place his niece would prefer.

About the Series

This post is part of our new blog series: “A Day at the Lifeworks Center for Disability Inclusion – New Hope.” Each story in the series reflects real experiences shared with us by people who visit the center – whether for Day Support, Employment, In-Home or Navigation Services, or stopping by for a training, education sessions, or community event.

To honor the privacy of individuals and highlight the many ways people engage with the space, names and details are blended to paint a fuller picture of what accessing a Center for Disability Inclusion looks like in everyday life.

Other Posts in this Series

Finding the Right Support Through Navigation Services

Creating Community Through Day Support Services

Moving Forward with Employment: Where Understanding Meets Opportunity

Every morning, Jordan starts his day with a familiar routine. At 8:30 a.m., Metro Move pulls up in front of Jordan’s apartment. The driver greets Jordan by name and helps him settle in for the short ride to the Lifeworks Center for Disability Inclusion in New Hope. Jordan has been coming to the center as part of their Day Support Services for a few months now.

“It’s close to where I live,” Jordan says, “and it feels like it’s part of my neighborhood. Not far away or hidden. That matters to me.”

When he arrives, Jordan is welcomed by his support staff and peers – a group that feels more like family. First stop: the kitchen to place his packed lunch in the fridge and grab a glass of water.

Today’s morning activity is art. Jordan settles in with his group around a sunlit table and begins painting abstract pieces using cool colors, inspired by a recent conversation about emotions. “I like painting because it helps me say things I don’t always have words for,” Jordan shares.

At 10 a.m., it’s time to head out. The group hops in the van and drives to Feed My Starving Children, a local volunteer site where they’ll spend the next two hours packing food for kids around the world. Volunteering here is one of Jordan’s favorite parts of the week.

“I get to help people,” he says. “And I get to do it with my friends.”

By noon, it’s back to the center for lunch. Jordan pulls his sandwich from the fridge and chats with a friend about the weekend. The room is filled with laughter, inside jokes, and stories – the small but meaningful moments that make up real community.

After lunch, Jordan’s group gathers for a conversation about the weather. Their Lifeworks support staff uses photos and maps to talk about clouds, temperature, and the week’s forecast. Jordan, who’s always had an interest in storms, chimes in with a fact about thunder he recently looked up.

At 2:30 p.m., Metro Move returns to take Jordan home. The ride is quiet and peaceful. Jordan feels a sense of satisfaction – a day filled with creativity, giving back, and learning. Most of all, a day spent in the community.

“I like coming to Lifeworks,” Jordan says. “It helps me feel like I’m part of everything.”

About the Series

This post is part of our new blog series: “A Day at the Lifeworks Center for Disability Inclusion – New Hope.” Each story in the series reflects real experiences shared with us by people who visit the center – whether for Day Support, Employment, In-Home or Navigation Services, or stopping by for a training, education sessions, or community event.

To honor the privacy of individuals and highlight the many ways people engage with the space, names and details are blended to paint a fuller picture of what accessing a Center for Disability Inclusion looks like in everyday life.

Other Posts in this Series

Finding the Right Support Through Navigation Services

Gaining New Perspectives on Disability Inclusion Through Trainings

Moving Forward with Employment: Where Understanding Meets Opportunity

Organizations often approach accessibility as a fix rather than a foundation. They might add a ramp after construction, insert captions post-production, or revise a policy only after someone has been excluded. These reactive solutions are typically more expensive, less effective, and disruptive to users and teams alike.

Universal Design offers a better path forward. By intentionally designing products, services, systems, and environments to be usable by the broadest range of people from the start, organizations can foster inclusion, reduce long-term costs, and gain a competitive advantage.

What Is Universal Design?

Developed by architect Ronald Mace in the 1990s, Universal Design is a framework that ensures environments and systems are accessible and intuitive for all users—regardless of age, ability, or background. It shifts the focus from accommodation to anticipation, aiming to eliminate barriers before they arise.

The approach is grounded in seven core principles: equitable use, flexibility, simplicity, perceptibility, tolerance for error, low physical effort, and appropriate size and space for use. These principles aren’t just theoretical—they’re practical tools for inclusive design that benefits everyone.

When embedded early in the design process, these principles help move organizations from accessibility as a compliance checkbox to accessibility as a core value.

5 Reasons Why Universal Design Matters

1. Proactively integrating universal design can dramatically reduce future costs. Building accessibility in from the beginning may increase project costs by less than 1%, while retrofitting can cost 2–20% more. Features like accessible entrances, flexible information formats, and digital compatibility are easier,—and cheaper,—to implement when they’re planned.
2. The market opportunity is massive. Globally, more than 1 billion people live with disabilities, and in the U.S., that includes one in every four adults. Together, working-age adults with disabilities in the U.S. control $490 billion in discretionary income. And it’s not just about income—people with disabilities influence purchasing decisions for their families, communities, and networks.
3. Businesses that ignore accessibility leave revenue on the table. Deque estimates that inaccessible e-commerce platforms miss out on approximately $6.9 billion in potential annual spending due to design barriers that block disabled users from completing transactions.
4. Accessibility builds customer trust and brand loyalty. Companies that prioritize accessibility retain 76% of customers with disabilities. Inclusive design also improves usability for non-disabled customers—such as those using mobile devices, working in noisy environments, or experiencing temporary impairments.
5. The return on investment is measurable. A Forrester report cited by BOIA found that every dollar invested in accessibility can return as much as $100, due to improved performance, customer satisfaction, and reduced legal exposure.

Universal Design in Action

Implementing universal design doesn’t require a complete overhaul. It begins by embedding accessibility considerations into the processes you already use including —project planning, procurement, design, and evaluation.

For example:

• In procurement, accessibility should be a requirement from the start—baked into RFPs, contracts, and vendor checklists.
• During product and service development, engaging disabled users in co-design helps ensure systems are usable by those with the highest access needs.
• Accessibility checkpoints can be integrated into existing quality assurance and project management workflows.
• Teams across roles—from design and communications to HR and IT—benefit from regular training on inclusive practices and the value they bring.
• Organizations that track metrics like customer retention, task success rates, and complaint resolution times often find accessibility improvements yield broader performance gains.

Accessibility is a living practice, not a one-time solution. As systems evolve, monitoring usability and gathering feedback ensures that inclusion remains sustainable over time.

A Practical Tool to Get Started

To support organizations in turning these principles into action, we’ve developed a Universal Design Checklist for organizations. This tool helps teams apply universal design to six key domains:

• Organizational Commitment
• Policy and Procurement
• Workforce and Training
• Digital and Physical Environments
• Customer and User Experience
• Risk, Compliance, and Brand

Click here to download the Universal Design Checklist.

The checklist is designed to be flexible for use across sectors, and especially helpful in starting conversations in your organization about Universal Design. If you need a bit of support, our disability inclusion consulting experts here to help. Click here to book a free, 30-minute consultation with our consultants.

Scrolling through her social media feed over morning coffee, Miriam spotted a photo of the Lifeworks Center for Disability Inclusion – New Hope. The caption caught her attention: “Open for walk-ins! Come visit and connect with a Navigation Specialist today.”

Miriam, who lives just a few blocks away, paused. She had a teenager with a disability who was receiving support through school, but lately, Miriam had felt overwhelmed trying to figure out what kind of help might be available at home. Every website seemed to lead to another website, and every question brought up five more.

So that afternoon, Miriam walked to the Lifeworks Center for Disability Inclusion.

When she arrived, she was greeted with a warm smile by the Lifeworks host. Miriam explained that she wasn’t sure what to ask, only that she was looking for support for her teenager. The host nodded with understanding and checked the availability of one of the Navigation Specialists.

“You’re in luck,” the host said. “One of our Navigation Specialists is available in about 10 minutes. Want a quick tour while you wait?”

Miriam agreed, and together they walked through the space: bright, welcoming, and easy to move through. The host pointed out the accessible restrooms, the community tables, and the quiet focus room, where private conversations or virtual meetings could take place.

“It’s really beautiful,” Miriam said, surprised. “And it doesn’t feel medical or intimidating.”

“It’s meant to feel like a part of the neighborhood where everyone is welcome,” the host replied. “Because it is.”

When it was time for the meeting, the host brought Miriam into the focus room, helped her get settled, and opened up a Zoom call with the Navigation Specialist. For the next 30 minutes, Miriam talked, the Navigator listened, and they chatted through the basics of the MnCHOICES assessment, and the in-home services that could be a good fit for Miriam’s family.

By the end of the conversation, the Navigation Specialist had emailed Miriam a set of tailored resources and set up a follow-up appointment to meet her at the Center for Disability Inclusion next week to keep things moving.

Miriam left the center feeling lighter. She didn’t have all the answers, but she had something just as powerful: a real sense that she wasn’t in this alone, that Lifeworks was a place to turn, and would be her partner to help her family figure it out.

About the Series

This post is part of our new blog series: “A Day at the Lifeworks Center for Disability Inclusion – New Hope.” Each story in the series reflects real experiences shared with us by people who visit the center – whether for Day Support, Employment, In-Home, or Navigation Services, or stopping by for a training, education session, or community event.

To honor the privacy of individuals and highlight the many ways people engage with the space, names and details are blended to paint a fuller picture of what accessing a Center for Disability Inclusion looks like in everyday life.

Other Posts in this Series

Creating Community Through Day Support Services

Gaining New Perspectives on Disability Inclusion Through Trainings

Moving Forward with Employment: Where Understanding Meets Opportunity