Examining Accessibility: What Leaders Must Understand About Disability and Inclusion

In today’s workplace and community, accessibility is often misunderstood or treated as a secondary consideration. Yet, as Dawn Bentley, Founder & CEO of CAIRE, LLC (Community Access, Inclusion, Representation, and Equity), explained in Episode #7 of the PinLeader Podcast, accessibility requires intentional focus and leadership to ensure people can fully engage, participate, and contribute in meaningful ways.

Dawn Bentley, Founder & CEO, CAIRE

With more than 20 years of experience in the disability field, Bentley brings both professional expertise and personal insight to the conversation—helping leaders rethink how inclusion truly shows up in their organizations.

A Personal Journey That Became a Professional Mission

Bentley’s passion for accessibility didn’t begin in a classroom—it began at home.

“Whenever people ask me how long I’ve been doing this, I say, ‘for as long as I can remember.’ I was sort of born into the world of disability.”

Growing up alongside her brother who had cerebral palsy, Bentley was immersed early in advocacy, services, and navigating systems. What started as lived experience eventually became a calling. After initially pursuing accounting, a summer job at an inclusive camp changed everything.

“I fell in love… and thought, ‘Oh my gosh, I could actually do this as a career and do something that I love.’”

That moment launched a career spanning education, nonprofit leadership, and eventually entrepreneurship—leading to the creation of CARE LLC.

Accessibility Is Not Optional—It’s Inevitable

One of the most powerful insights Bentley shares is this: disability is not a distant issue—it’s a universal one.

“The disability community is one of the few marginalized communities that anyone can become a member of at any given time.”

With 1 in 4 Americans experiencing a disability, accessibility is no longer a niche concern—it’s a leadership imperative. Yet many organizations still operate with limited awareness.

“Unless someone has been directly impacted… they don’t even realize how inaccessible our world still is.”

For leaders, this creates a critical gap: good intentions without informed action.

Understanding Ableism in the Workplace

Bentley highlights a concept many leaders overlook—ableism, often in subtle or unintentional forms.

“Ableism is an implicit bias… where people may unintentionally speak or act in ways that negatively impact the disability community.”

Even more importantly, she notes that ableism can exist without awareness—including among those with disabilities themselves. The takeaway for leaders? Awareness must be active.

“You have to actively work to be anti-ableist… once you know better, are you actively doing better?”

Why ADA Compliance Isn’t Enough

Many organizations take pride in being ADA compliant—but Bentley challenges leaders to go further.

“Just because a space is ADA compliant does not mean that it’s fully accessible.”

The Americans with Disabilities Act laid the foundation—but it’s over 30 years old. Today’s leaders must think beyond compliance and toward universal design—creating environments that work for everyone.

This includes:

• Physical spaces

• Digital experiences

• Hiring processes

• Workplace culture

Accessibility is not a checklist—it’s an ongoing strategy.

Rethinking Hiring and Talent Potential

One of the most critical leadership breakdowns happens during hiring.

Bentley shares that up to 80% of employees with non-visible disabilities may not disclose them, often due to fear of stigma. This means leaders must design systems that support employees—whether disclosure happens or not.

“Focus on what the person is capable of… then let them advocate for what they need.”

She also challenges a common bias: underestimating talent. In one example, a qualified candidate had to apply three times before being hired—only to later earn promotions.

“Why did it take three tries to be given the opportunity when he had the qualifications from the beginning?”

For leaders, this is a wake-up call: Are your systems filtering out talent you actually need?

Moving Beyond the “Cookie Cutter” Workplace

Traditional workplace models assume uniformity—but people don’t work that way.

“We tend to take a cookie-cutter approach… but no two people approach work the same way.”

Forward-thinking leaders are shifting toward flexibility:

• Different workspaces (standing desks, alternative seating)

• Varied communication styles

• Personalized support systems

This isn’t just about accommodation—it’s about performance. When employees are supported effectively, they perform better.

What Effective Leaders Do Differently

So what separates organizations that succeed in accessibility from those that struggle?

Bentley points to three key leadership traits:

1. Commitment - “It’s a marathon, not a sprint.” Accessibility requires sustained effort—not one-time initiatives.

2. Human-Centered Thinking - “See people as people… everyone has different needs.”

Labels and assumptions limit progress. Understanding individuals unlocks it.

3. Willingness to Grow - Leaders must be open to feedback, change, and continuous improvement.

Final Thought: Accessibility Is Leadership

Accessibility is not just about compliance, policies, or checklists—it’s about how people experience your organization. It shows up in:

• Who gets hired

• Who gets promoted

• Who feels they belong

• Who can fully participate

As Bentley’s work makes clear, the question for leaders is no longer if accessibility matters. It’s how intentionally you’re leading it.

Presented by ROAR Productions. The PinLeader™ Podcast is an interview format show that provides effective tips to those that are currently leaders or have a desire to become leaders. A new episode is released every Wednesday.