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Episode 154 Resources: The Access Coalition: Creating More Accessible Retail Spaces

Release Date: Wednesday – June, 2026
Episode description, speaker bios, transcripts, and resources for Episode 154: The Access Coalition: Creating More Accessible Retail Spaces

Disclaimer: Accessibility cannot be guaranteed for external websites. The Southeast ADA Center provides these resources as a courtesy and does not endorse, take responsibility for, exercise control of the organization, or monitor its website content.

Contents

About the Access Coalition

  • Access Coalition
    The Access Coalition is a multi-company effort convened by the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) to build more accessible environments across the retail sector through an inclusive design methodology. Formed in partnership with leading brands and infrastructure providers, the Access Coalition is working to co-create a first-of-its-kind framework to improve physical accessibility and advance disability inclusion in retail design. Originally launched in October 2024, member companies of the Access Coalition include Starbucks, Walmart, Sam’s Club, CVS Health, Step ‘n Wash, LockNet, Kohler, and Inclusive Web.
    Web: aapd.com/inclusive-retail-spaces-coalition
    To learn more, reach out to the coalition’s senior advisor, Kimberly Knackstedt at knackstedt@unlockaccess.org.
  • Inclusive Spaces Playbook: A Practical Guide Through the Journey of Inclusive Design [PDF, 76 pages]
    These free tools (Inclusive Spaces Playbook and Checklist) and provide best practices, practical guidance on store layout, sensory considerations, navigation, and customer experience improvements that help create environments where more people can participate fully.
    Web: aapd.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/AAPD_Coalition_Playbook_2026_Final-copy-accessiblev-1.pdf
  • Inclusive Spaces Framework Checklist [PDF, 27 pages]
    Web: aapd.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Coalition_Checklist_Final-copy-accessiblev-1.pdf
  • Access Coalition Year 1 Annual Report [PDF, 13 pages]
    Report for October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2025.
    Web: aapd.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/The-Access-Coalition-Annual-Report-2024-2025-Updated-AccessibleV-121725.pdf
  • The Disability Inclusion Imperative [PDF, 46 pages]
    A joint report produced in 2023 by AAPD, DisabilityIn, and Accenture.
    Web: accenture.com/content/dam/accenture/final/accenture-com/document-2/Disability-Inclusion-Report-Business-Imperative.pdf

Access Coalition News and Media

ADA Guidance for Businesses

ADA Live Podcasts and Resources on Business Access and Inclusion

You can access all ADA Live! episodes with archived audio, accessible transcripts, and resources at ADAlive.org. Most episode transcripts are also available in Spanish. (Transcripciones de los episodios en español.) Listen on the SoundCloud ADA Live! channel at soundcloud.com/adalive.

Court Case Briefs on the ADA and Business Accessibility