Diversity. Equality. Inclusion.
These three words mold better workplace cultures. In addition, 61% of employees believe diversity, equality, and inclusion strategies are beneficial and essential at work.
Diversity, equality, and inclusion (DEI) strongly align with job seekers. 67% of job seekers consider DEI programs an essential factor when contemplating employment opportunities.
Diversity sets companies apart from their competitors. For example, companies with more diversity are 35% more likely to outperform their competitors.
What Are Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion, and Why Are They Important for Your Company?
Diversity means having a variety of skills, abilities, genders, races, ethnicities, and more in a company and recognizing, respecting, and celebrating those differences.
Equality ensures everyone has an equal opportunity and is not treated differently or discriminated against because of their characteristics.
Inclusion is the creation of an environment where everyone feels welcome and valued.
Diversity fosters innovation because it encourages different perspectives, allowing for the development of new ideas. This leads to an empowered culture of creativity and originality – happier employees, better products and services, and more satisfied customers.
ADA Compliance
Having safe and supportive online and in-person environments where everyone is accepted is equally important.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was passed in 1990. The ADA prohibits discrimination against those with disabilities, ensuring they have the same rights and opportunities as those without disabilities. It covers all sectors, from jobs and schools to transportation and public/private places open to the public.
In addition, the Americans with Disabilities Act Standards for Accessible Design was passed in 2010. This Act mandated all websites and other electronic and information technology be accessible to those with disabilities.
Which companies are required to comply? Under Title I, companies with at least 15 full-time employees who operate for 20 or more weeks every year are required to comply. Under Title III, companies that fall into the “public accommodation” category, such as hotels, banks, and public transportation, must also comply.
This also means that the entirety of the law applies to companies that fall under Title I and Title III, from physical considerations to digital accommodations.
If you’re unsure if your company needs to be ADA compliant or meets all of the requirements, please consult with a disability lawyer.
More and more companies outside of the above criteria are updating their websites to be ADA compliant. By creating a website that can be accessible by all, you’ll have more website traffic, and more website traffic means more business for you. It’s a perfect win-win!
Chef Avenue
Chef Avenue, an innovative cookware company in Silicon Valley, knew the importance of DEI soon after it began and infused it into its business model.
Chef Avenue’s Founder and CEO, Seema Shenoy, paid attention to how else she could show inclusion, so she made her company’s website ADA compliant.
She tackled the in-depth process of ADA compliance with the help of LevelField.ai. She was happy to see that her website was ADA compliant in no time despite the complexity and proud that her company demonstrated even more inclusion and equality.
She knew she was well on her way to achieving Chef Avenue’s goal of making cooking more enjoyable and accessible for everyone.
Conclusion
Diversity, equality, and inclusion are important topics to consider, no matter whether you’re a company, employee, or customer.
Diversity cultivates creativity which drives innovation, leading to new ideas.
Equality ensures everyone is treated fairly and has an equal opportunity to succeed.
Inclusion creates a safe, supportive, and welcoming environment, physically and virtually, for all. One important way to be inclusive is to have ADA compliant website. Then, anyone with a disability can use that website in a way that’s best suited for them.
LevelField.ai offers assistance in getting your website ADA compliant. For example, with the help of LevelField.ai, Chef Avenue’s website was ADA compliant in no time despite the in-depth process.
Now more than ever, DEI needs to be infused in our society, allowing for more connection and harmony.
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