Recently, I was made aware of a joint effort, known as The Access Coalition: Creating More Inclusive Retail Spaces. It brings together the American Association of People with Disabilities, Starbucks, CVS Pharmacies, Sam’s Club, Walmart, Otis Elevator, and others to take the lead in advancing the Inclusive Spaces Framework, which was originally authored by Starbucks to better serve consumers with disabilities.

It is frustrating to enter various public places and see very little attention has been given to making them accessible. It’s not uncommon to discover buildings constructed within the past ten years by those who have not fully understood or complied with the ADA Standards for Accessibility. Complicating the situation is the fact each municipality usually has its own version of the International Building Code, some of them several years old, which governs its construction guidelines. It seems to be an especially prevalent problem in model code states, like my own.

It baffles me to find, after 35 years of the existence of the ADA, how many people are unaware of the things they can do, and are required to do, to ensure individuals with disabilities are able to be fully integrated into their local communities. In the remarks he made at the signing of the ADA on July 26, 1990, George H.W. Bush referenced the fall of the Berlin Wall, which had occurred the previous year.

“Even the strongest person couldn't scale the Berlin Wall to gain the elusive promise of independence that lay just beyond. And so, together we rejoiced when that barrier fell. And now I sign legislation which takes a sledgehammer to another wall, one which has for too many generations separated Americans with disabilities from the freedom they could glimpse but not grasp.”

It seems legislation is not enough to spark the change we need in our society. Perhaps the competitive spirit and the leadership of some of the most successful retailers in the country will gain more traction and encourage others to follow the trail they’re blazing. Starbucks launched their initiative in February 2024 with a “One Pager” which explained their commitment to accessibility.

I like the fact that the Inclusive Spaces Retail Checklist refers to ADA guidelines and that they have created three tiers of accessibility for companies to consider adopting. They also recommend some common-sense alterations that enhance accessibility but are not codified in the ADA Standards or IBC.

Is this how we finally get to where we want to be as a society? Through the leadership of commercial, and not governmental, entities? Explore this new initiative and see what you think.