Most companies assume their space is accessible until someone speaks up, or worse, something goes wrong. But the truth is, code compliance doesn’t equal usability. And as hybrid work changes how people move through space, the gap between what’s technically compliant and what actually works is getting wider.
According to Deloitte’s 2024 global study, nearly 90% of employees with a disability or health condition have disclosed it at work, but only 25% felt empowered to request accommodations. That tells you everything you need to know about how ineffective most feedback channels are.
If you’re serious about universal design, you need a way to see what’s really happening inside your facilities, starting with the people who use them every day.
The Problem: You Can’t Fix What You Don’t See
Even when a space meets ADA requirements, it might still be hard to use. Maybe the signage is confusing. Maybe the breakroom is too cramped. Maybe people are constantly navigating around misplaced furniture, poorly positioned storage, or doors that are technically compliant but practically unusable.
And if you’re managing multiple locations, or overseeing leased space where you don’t control every detail, it gets even harder to spot the issues.
That’s why we’ve created a better way to get the full picture.
The Approach: Site Surveys That Surface the Real Story
Recently, I worked with a national company managing dozens of physical locations. They wanted a real-world look at how their offices measured up, not just on paper, but in practice. We built a custom survey for local staff and facility teams to walk their space, evaluate specific areas, and upload photos to show what they were seeing.
This wasn’t just another compliance checklist. It was a practical tool for uncovering real usability issues: things that get missed by architects, overlooked by landlords, and rarely captured in tenant improvement projects.
The photos brought everything to life. One image of a blocked corridor or an impossible-to-reach storage shelf does more than ten bullet points ever could. Suddenly, the barriers become visible and solvable.
How I Help
When companies bring me in to support this process, I:
- Develop custom surveys based on universal design standards
- Build parallel tools for property managers to self-assess shared spaces
- Design employee surveys to uncover what’s working and what’s not
- Analyze the results and provide clear next steps for improvement
This approach is especially useful for companies managing multiple locations, adapting to new work models, or preparing for future renovations.
And we don’t stop at data. I help clients turn the findings into action, whether that’s low-cost fixes, landlord negotiations, or integrating universal design into their capital planning.
Why It Works
Real feedback creates real accountability. And when you invite the people who use the space to help shape it, you build trust and buy-in from the start.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy, 58% of workplace accommodations cost nothing, and most of the rest typically cost about $500. Employers also report that accommodations are effective. These are practical fixes with outsized impact.
So, what are you missing by not asking?
If you’re ready to stop guessing and start improving, let’s build a smarter audit together today.
