This week marks the 33rd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Inclusive environments have come a long way over the past 30 years, and I’d like to think that the ADA broke barriers. But there’s still work to be done. Today, the mission for each of us is to break down persistent barriers for people with disabilities and help everyone feel like they belong.
“One of the greatest things we offer our customers is the flexibility to choose where, when and how they shop. Walmart continues to make strides toward creating an inclusive shopping experience, and I am incredibly proud of our efforts.
Product Progress
We have a unique opportunity to help customers with disabilities access products and services designed with their needs in mind and offered at everyday low prices. Our “Adaptive at Walmart” page on Walmart.com features a selection of wellness, hardline and back-to-school products, including:
Over-the-counter hearing aids and audio amplifiers allow customers to find what works best for them and enhance their hearing experience. Our private label, Wonder Nation, offers fun patterned backpacks with straps that slide easily onto and off wheelchair handles. Adaptive dinnerware to support an independent eating experience.
We purposefully curate our assortment and have partnered with companies like No Limbits, The Shapes United, and How iRoll Sports, which has allowed us to 1) ensure high quality products and 2) offer designs by the community, for the community.
A company-wide sense of belonging
Inclusion is a mindset across our company. Walmart’s President’s Inclusion Council, made up of senior leaders, has identified accessibility as a priority, and our inABLE employee resource group, which supports employees with disabilities, has launched a workstream to design inclusive shopping experiences. Our Accessibility Center of Excellence has partnered with product teams and merchants to ensure our products are accessible. We are encouraged by the steps we’re taking to help customers feel like they belong. This month, we introduced sensory friendly hours to create a more enjoyable, tranquil shopping environment for customers with sensory disabilities.
We strive for excellence in serving our customers, and it starts with people. This commitment is the result of every effort we make to listen to our employees and customers. We are an omnichannel retailer, and providing accessible in-store and online experiences helps us deliver on our mission to help people save money and live better. We look forward to seeing how we continue to deliver comprehensive solutions to help our employees, customers, and the communities we serve feel a sense of belonging and recognition.