What springs to mind when you think about accessibility?
Compliance? Best practice? Or something else?
I hope, that as you explore my virtual home, words like joy, liberation and delight become among the first that come to mind whenever you think about ‘access’.
Here’s the thing; we know that accessibility is important. We’re reminded of accessibility issues constantly. But many remain unaware that these accessibility challenges are deeply rooted in capitalist and colonial systems – systems which are designed to exploit human resources, at the cost of liveihoods, self-motivated contributions, and the authentic expression of entire communities. Without accessibility we risk reinforcing the colonial, capitalist status-quo, keeping organisations stuck in the past.
So, what happens when we flip this on its head – and center human needs instead?
Real change happens. Outdated system are re-generated. We cultivate joyful, liberatory and innovative organisations that people feel energized to authentically engage with, contribute and champion. In these spaces, both people and businesses thrive.
– Founder
I build frameworks that signal to people that it´s safe for them to be themselves when engaged with your space, experience or workplace. As a result people feel free to share their unique stories, perspectives, and ideas. These environments then nurture the confidence to think creatively, challenge outdated norms, and make meaningful contributions. This is how innovation takes root and systems evolve—when people feel valued, supported, and inspired to show up fully.
Accessibility often means making room for the new and sometimes the unknown. Accommodating diverse needs requires flexibility, but to enable this, we need the kind of stability that doesn’t stifle growth. My work centers on identifying or creating foundational structures that support resilience and adaptability. By strengthening these pillars, we create safe ground from which innovation and systems change can emerge. This way, flexibility need not become chaotic; it becomes a pathway for sustainable transformation.
One meaningful way to measure the impact of your accessibility practices? People feel the care you’ve put into your workplace, space, or experience. They feel joy and delight because they know they’ve been seen, their needs have been met, and they feel valued. You’ll hear it in their feedback, see it in reviews, and note it in the way that they share their experience with others. Your commitment builds a reputation that reaches beyond the direct impact that you have on your community, inspiring others to do the same.
Embracing neurodiversity in accessibility work goes beyond different ways of thinking and processing information—it’s about recognizing diverse norms, expectations, sensitivities, social interactions, and even approaches to time. Until we acknowledge that people function differently and have unique needs, we unintentionally shut out neurodivergent individuals and miss the powerful strengths a truly neurodiverse team brings. When everyone’s unique contributions are valued and supported, we unlock a realm of collaborative genius, where innovation and impact can truly thrive. Neurodiversity is truly an accessibility gem.
Hi, I’m Anuradha Kowtha
I’m the Founder and Accessibility Strategist at The Kowtha Constellation.
Here, I support organisations to identify opportunities to deepen their accessibility practices in ways that nurture psychological safety, joy and innovation.
If re-humanizing systems is on your agenda, let’s explore how we might work together.
©2024 Anuradha, The Kowtha Constellation