Promoting Accessibility in the Zoom Era

Abstract

The pandemic has disrupted work all over the world, as has been much discussed. Knowledge workers could move to online or virtual offices, while many service workers lost their jobs, were furloughed, or were considered essential and had to keep working despite fears of what close contact with others might mean. While it would be fair to say that everyone in the world has felt the impacts of the pandemic to some degree, and some more so than others (such as working parents who have also had to provide at-home schooling in addition to their paying jobs), people with disabilities have been especially affected. One reason is the increased risk or poor outcomes as a result of COVID-19 for people with disabilities, some of whom may have additional comorbidities. Another factor is lack of access to routine health care. Lockdowns can be especially difficult for those who rely on assistive technology, as access to reliable internet service is hardly universal. Some mitigating measures—such as masks and social distancing—can be especially burdensome for people with disabilities, including those who are hard of hearing and those with service dogs (Shakespeare et al., 2021). People with disabilities have long faced lower rates of employment and have been paid considerably less than nondisabled workers (Altiraifi, 2019). In the United States, the number of employed working-age people with disabilities fell by 20% between March and April 2020, while the number of employed working-age people without disabilities decreased by 14% (Kessler Foundation, 2020). Despite all the barriers presented to people with disabilities during the pandemic, there have also been significant opportunities to enhance access and participation. Virtual offices mean that people who have mobility concerns can work safely at home. Remote work can protect those who are immunocompromised. Zoom meetings can lead to greater inclusion, since the gallery view equalizes the screen and allows participants to filter sensory input such as volume and brightness. Another remarkable feature of Zoom is “live transcript,” whereby subtitles appear on the screen, helping both those who are deaf and hard of hearing, as well as those who comprehend written text with greater ease than spoken discourse; an added benefit is the preservation of a transcript for those who cannot attend. However, we need to ensure that those of us who teach and practice business and professional communication are aware of all