Author: Rama Krishnamachari

Universal design recommendations for the post-Covid workplace environment

Universal design recommendations for the post-Covid workplace environment

— Social /Physical distancing is the new normal. Organizations are taking some short and long term measures – infrastructural , technological and policy based – to ensure safety and well being of their employees and customers. There have been reports of instances of some arbitrary changes at workplaces and other public places which are sometimesRead more about Universal design recommendations for the post-Covid workplace environment[…]

Making Virtual Meeting /Conference Accessible

Making Virtual Meeting /Conference Accessible

As we are all now having virtual meetings/conferences, it is imperative that it is accessible and inclusive to all including people with disabilities. If these are not accessible, one will end of excluding 15 % population comprising of people with disabilities who could be students, potential candidates, employees, customers, clients for various services or evenRead more about Making Virtual Meeting /Conference Accessible[…]

Difference between accessibility, accommodation and universal design

Difference between accessibility, accommodation and universal design

Many people use the words accessibility, reasonable accommodation and universal design interchangeably. These are different terms and  have specific meaning and application. I will try and explain this in a layman’s language in this blog. Accessibility Accessibility enables people with disabilities to reach and utilise a product or a service or information.  For example, constructionRead more about Difference between accessibility, accommodation and universal design[…]

Simulation exercises for disability sensitization – different viewpoints

Simulation exercises for disability sensitization – different viewpoints

One of the ways that organizations sensitize people about disability is through simulation exercises – i.e. make people sit on a wheelchair, blindfold them, give ear plugs, tie their hands up etc. in order for them to experience disability. Some feel this helps understand barriers faced by people with disabilities, while others are quite againstRead more about Simulation exercises for disability sensitization – different viewpoints[…]

The Importance of Collecting and Maintaining Data of Persons with Disabilities by Corporates

The Importance of Collecting and Maintaining Data of Persons with Disabilities by Corporates

In India most companies do not collect  data on employees with disability. Even if they do, it is quite ad hoc or even inappropriate. Let me explain it with a real story of  a multinational company in India. As per the Fire Audit requirements, database of employees with disabilities should be maintained by the SecurityRead more about The Importance of Collecting and Maintaining Data of Persons with Disabilities by Corporates[…]