Explore how commercetools is promoting inclusion with accessible hiring and workplace practices. Plus, discover how to make your eCommerce website ADA-compliant to reach more customers and ensure accessibility for everyone.
For every business out there, inclusivity is essential. Whether in the workplace or online, businesses must prioritize accessibility to ensure that everyone, including people with disabilities, has equal opportunities. This means making physical, technological and cultural accommodations for employees and creating accessible digital experiences for customers. By cultivating an environment where everyone feels valued and supported, we not only comply with legal requirements but also unlock a wealth of untapped potential in embracing inclusivity, driving innovation, engagement and growth.
At commercetools, we believe that true inclusivity goes beyond words. As we celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) this October, we are reaffirming our commitment to building accessible workspaces for people with disabilities and creating resources that allow everyone to thrive.
From optimizing hiring practices to offering additional working tools for employees with disabilities or those needing extra assistance, we are striving to break down barriers and build a future where everyone can contribute and thrive — both in the workplace and online.
Celebrating National Disability Employment Awareness Month
NDEAM serves as an important reminder of the need to create inclusive workplaces for people with disabilities. This year’s theme, "Access to Good Jobs for All”, challenges us to go beyond simple inclusion and truly empower individuals by providing the tools, resources and opportunities they need to thrive. At commercetools, we’ve embraced this challenge by integrating inclusive practices into every aspect of our hiring and workplace culture:
People with disabilities bring unique experiences that often lead to fresh, innovative problem-solving. This diversity of thought helps businesses evolve and remain competitive, pushing boundaries that might otherwise go unexplored.
Employees who feel supported, including those with invisible disabilities like chronic illnesses or neurodiverse conditions, are more engaged and loyal. A work environment that embraces assistive technology and offers accommodations not only improves productivity but also retention, ensuring all employees have the tools they need to succeed.
Over the past year, commercetools has taken major strides in nurturing an inclusive environment:
Inclusive job descriptions and accessible recruitment processes.
Extra tools in the workplace for people with both visible and invisible disabilities.
Mandatory manager training on inclusive hiring and unconscious bias.
Strategic partnerships with advocacy groups like Ablr.
Our goal is simple: To provide every employee with the resources they need to excel, including those with invisible illnesses and disabilities.
Bridging the gap: How accessibility in eCommerce supports inclusivity
While inclusivity in the workplace is critical, it’s equally important to ensure that your business is accessible online. Many people with disabilities, from visual impairments to mobility challenges, face significant barriers when navigating websites. For eCommerce businesses, this represents a missed opportunity to reach a wider customer base and nurture brand loyalty.
Ensuring your site is ADA-compliant and accessible to everyone isn’t just about avoiding legal pitfalls — it’s about good business sense.
Creating an accessible eCommerce website is a strategic move that benefits both your customers and your bottom line. By ensuring that people using assistive technologies — such as screen readers for the visually impaired or voice navigation for mobility challenges — can easily navigate your site, you open your products and services to a broader audience.
Many eCommerce websites overlook basic accessibility features, such as:
Poor keyboard navigation for users with limited mobility.
Missing alt text for images, leaving those using screen readers without context.
Lack of captions or transcripts for video content, making it inaccessible to those with hearing impairments.
By addressing these issues, you can create an inclusive digital space that welcomes all customers.
Here are a few ways to make your eCommerce site more accessible:
Enable keyboard navigation for all functions, helping users with mobility issues.
Include alt text for images to assist visually impaired users.
Implement voice commerce features to make shopping easier for vision-impaired customers.
Provide clear, concise language to aid those with neurodiverse conditions.
Add captions to videos to ensure content is accessible for the hearing impaired.
Making these changes not only improves accessibility but also enhances overall user experience, contributing to better SEO and increased customer satisfaction.
Accessibility is key to inclusivity
Whether in the workplace or online, accessibility is key to building an inclusive world where everyone can participate fully. At commercetools, we are committed to breaking down barriers through accessible recruitment practices, workplace accommodations and assistive technology, while also ensuring our digital platforms meet ADA-compliant standards.
By prioritizing accessibility, businesses not only do what’s right but also tap into new markets, attract top talent and encourage a culture of empathy and innovation. Together, we can ensure that everyone — regardless of their abilities — has the opportunity to thrive.
To learn more about diversity, equity and inclusion at commercetools, read our press release Our People: 50+ Cultures, One Global Ethos.
Stephanie Forbes serves as the DEI Leader, Americas at commercetools, where she wholeheartedly champions the cause of fostering inclusive workplaces and communities. With expertise in developing impactful strategies that drive diversity, equity and inclusion, Stephanie is a passionate advocate for promoting diversity and equity across industries and organizations.