How to Be a Disability Ally: Embrace Inclusivity and Accessibility
9 min read
Andrew Reed • Nov 4, 2021
What is a Disability Ally?
A “disability ally” is someone who actively supports people with disabilities, advocating for accessibility and inclusion. According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, an ally is someone who joins another person or group to offer support. In recent years, the term has gained significance in movements like LGBTQ+ rights, Black Lives Matter, and the Disabilities Movement. Being a disability ally means more than support—it’s about understanding, learning, and taking actionable steps to remove barriers for individuals with disabilities.
Moreover, the term “ALLY” can be broken down into an acronym, representing the key principles of being a disability ally:
Steps to Becoming a Disability Ally
Becoming a disability ally starts with mindfulness but extends far beyond that. It involves recognizing how people with disabilities function in daily life and how societal barriers can impede their independence. Understanding these challenges allows you to use your influence to push for accessible environments, inclusive policies, and equitable opportunities for all.
Here’s how you can become a strong disability ally:
- Learn: Educate yourself about various disabilities and the challenges faced by individuals.
- Advocate: Speak up for inclusive programs, policies, and infrastructure in your community.
- Support: Encourage the development of accessible technologies and services that cater to all abilities.
- Act: Use your platform to create meaningful change that eliminates barriers and promotes equality.
ID123: An Ally to the Disability Community
At ID123, we take accessibility seriously and are committed to creating a digital ID card that is inclusive for all users, regardless of ability. Our digital identity solution is designed with accessibility at its core, supporting users with a wide range of disabilities, including vision, mobility, and hearing impairments. Our ID Management System and Digital ID Card Apps are compatible with popular accessibility features on iOS and Android, ensuring everyone can use them easily.
We actively listen to our customers and integrate their feedback into our solutions, continually improving the accessibility of our products. By offering accessible digital identification, ID123 enables individuals with disabilities to participate fully in everyday life. This commitment sets us apart as a leader in inclusive identification technology and a true ally to people with disabilities.
How ID123 Helps Your Company Become a Disability Ally
With ID123, your organization can go beyond compliance with local disability laws and embrace true inclusivity. Our digital ID cards are fully accessible and meet WCAG 2.0 Level AA standards, making them more cost-effective and accessible than traditional physical IDs. These digital IDs can be customized to meet individual accessibility needs, featuring options like voice control and adjustable display settings.
Additionally, our ID Management System is designed with accessibility in mind, allowing you to manage digital credentials while adhering to best practices for inclusivity. By supporting employees and customers of all abilities, your organization demonstrates social responsibility, which is increasingly valued by consumers. A 2015 Cone Communications study found that 81% of consumers are willing to support socially responsible businesses, even at a personal cost. By becoming a disability ally, your business can build trust, expand its customer base, and positively impact the community.
ID123 offers the tools and technologies to help your organization champion accessibility and inclusivity, becoming a disability ally that sets a standard for others to follow.