Disability Inclusion Statements

An inclusion statement is a promise to include people with disabilities in your organization.It can focus on employees, customers, or both.

Disability inclusion statements may be part of an overall diversity statement, a separate accessibility statement, an internal accommodations statement, or some mix of these.

Overview

Disability inclusion statements show that your organization values people with disabilities. They also show you are taking steps to include them. These statements can:

• Signal that accessibility is a core value of your organization.
• Affirm a commitment to accessibility, diversity, equity, and inclusion beyond meeting legal requirements.
• Provide clarity on internal processes to request and provide accommodations.
• Inform readers about your organization’s efforts to expand accessibility.
• Outline organizational values and goals for disability inclusion.

Disability inclusion statements are often grouped with other diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) materials and should align with an organization’s overall mission. Impactful statements are clear and list specific goals and actions.

These include:

• Following the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)
• Promoting inclusive hiring
• Supporting users of assistive technology

Who is Helped

Writing clear statements about how your organization supports people with disabilities helps multiple groups:

• People with disabilities (employees, customers, partners): Disability inclusion statements assure people with disabilities that your organization has anticipated and welcomes your access needs. They help people with physical, sensory, cognitive, mental health, and chronic health conditions know that their needs will be met with dignity and respect. These statements also encourage people with disabilities to ask for what they need.
• Hiring managers and team leaders: Internal statements give guidance on how to handle accommodation requests. They also emphasize legal and ethical duties to ensure equal access.
• Human resources professionals, including DEI specialists: Statements support a broader mission of diversity and inclusion and can be integrated into recruitment, onboarding, and training.
• Customers and users of products and services: Public inclusion and accessibility statements show customers that your organization recognizes and actively works to meet the needs of disabled users. They demonstrate social responsibility and build brand trust. Statements also help customers, users and event participants ask for help when they need assistance.
• Everyone: Inclusive practices benefit all employees and customers. For example, closed captions help not only deaf users, but also people in noisy environments or non-native speakers. Similarly, accessible design often results in better usability overall.

Guidelines

To ensure your disability inclusion statements are effective and meaningful:

• Be specific: Avoid vague language like “we value diversity.” Include specific references to disability and accessibility. For example, many organizations indicate which WCAG standard they use to maintain their website.
• Be transparent: Say what you are doing, what you plan to do, and what people can expect.
• Include actionable support: Share contacts, procedures, or links to request accommodations or report accessibility barriers. Make it as easy as possible to ask for support - for example, through an email address.
• Align with standards: Reference relevant laws and standards in your area.
• Keep it current: Review and update statements regularly as your policies and practices evolve.
• Use respectful language: Use person-first or identity-first language depending on the audience and context. void euphemisms or outdated terms.
• Check local regulations: You may need to use or avoid specific language in your statement, depending on your jurisdiction.

Best Practices

• Include people with disabilities in the creation and review of disability inclusion statements.
• Post external statements on your website, especially in your About section, Careers page, and Accessibility page.
• Include inclusion statements in onboarding materials, employee handbooks, and training programs.
• Provide accommodations statements in emails about meetings and events
• Ensure statements are available in accessible formats (screen reader–friendly, plain language, alternative formats on request).

The W3C Accessibility Statement Generator

Using the Accessibility Statement Generator can help you create clear accessibility statements for your website.. You can share the statements with others, both inside and outside the organization. This shares accessibility goals, known limitations, and options for user support.

The generator walks you through what to include to create an effective accessibility statement, including:

• Which standards your site meets (like WCAG).
• Methods used to evaluate accessibility.
• Known issues and plans for improvement.
• Contact information for providing feedback.

Example Statement

[Company Name] is committed to providing accessible digital experiences for all, including people with disabilities. [Company Name] aims to conform to WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards and takes the following measures to ensure accessibility of [Company website]:

• Include accessibility as part of our mission statement.
• Include accessibility throughout our internal policies.
• Provide continual accessibility training for our staff.
• Assign clear accessibility goals and responsibilities.

To request accommodations or report a problem, please reach out to our accessibility team at accessibility@companyname.com.

Figure 1: Example Accessibility Statement

Diversity and Accommodation Statements

Diversity Statements

Diversity statements explain your company’s general commitment to welcoming people of all backgrounds. They can include race, gender, age, disability, class, ethnicity, and more. They may reference disability, but they usually focus on overall equity and inclusion.

They help show that accessibility is one part of larger company values. Diversity statements help accessibility goals by:

• Reinforcing values for employees, customers, and partners.
• Creating a foundation for disability-specific efforts like accessibility and accommodations.

Diversity statements help all users, especially those from underrepresented groups, feel welcomed and respected. They also align accessibility efforts with broader company goals.

Example Statement

[Company Name] is committed to building a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment where all people—including those with disabilities—feel respected and valued. We take the following actions to promote diversity and belonging throughout our organization:

• Include disability as a key part of our diversity and inclusion efforts.
• Support inclusive hiring, retention, and career advancement practices.
• Partner with communities and organizations that represent underrepresented groups.

For more information about our diversity efforts, contact dei@companyname.com.

Figure 2: Example Diversity Statement

Accommodation Statements

Accommodation statements explain how people can ask for the support they need to access your services or fully participate. These are ofte

Accommodation statements make it easier for people to ask for help by:

• Providing clear contact information and request instructions.
• Supporting legal compliance.
• Reinforcing your company’s commitment to inclusion.

Example Statement

[Company Name] is committed to supporting employees and visitors with disabilities by providing reasonable accommodations. We take the following steps to ensure equal access to our workplace and services:

• Maintain a clear and confidential accommodations process.
• Train staff to respond to accommodation requests respectfully and promptly.
• Review and update accommodation policies regularly.

To request an accommodation or for more information, contact [HR/accommodations contact] at accommodations@companyname.com.

Figure 3: Example Accommodations Statement

What’s the Difference Between Accessibility, Accommodation, and Diversity statements?

• Accessibility statements focus on how systems, spaces, and content are designed to be usable.
• Accommodation statements explain how people can request changes to remove barriers.
• Diversity statements share the company’s overall approach to equity and inclusion.

All together, they encompass your company’s commitment to access and belonging.

Resources

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Statements

• How to write a Diversity Statement & Samples
• DEI Statement
• How to Write a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Statement
• Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Statement

Accessibility Statements

• Developing an Accessibility Statement
• W3C Accessibility Statement Generator
• How to Write an Accessibility Statement

Accommodation Statements

• Making a statement about reasonable accomodations
• Accommodation Statements
• Examples of Reasonable Accommodation Statements
• Harvard Accessibility Statement
• Disability Inclusion Guidance
• Address workplace disability inclusion with these two strategies
• 10+ Examples of Awesome Inclusion Statements