The Access Coalition is a group of major retailers and accessibility advocates that strive to transform how businesses approach inclusive design in commercial spaces. This initiative is spearheaded by the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) and includes corporate partners like Starbucks, Walmart, CVS Health, and accessibility-focused companies.

The goal of this working group is to develop open-source guidelines that address physical barriers often faced by disabled customers and employees. The Access Coalition builds on Starbucks’ existing Inclusive Spaces Framework, which was previously implemented in their Union Market location. Through design sprints, expert consultations, and direct input from people with disabilities, the coalition seeks to create practical solutions that could be implemented across thousands of retail locations nationwide — from accessible restroom fixtures to improved store layouts.

Image Credit: AAPD