How coworking spaces support migrant inclusion

From designing accessible spaces to celebrating diversity year-round, small shifts create big impact. Here are five easy, actionable steps to help create more inclusive workspaces 🙌 #Neighbourgood #InclusiveWork #CoWorkingCulture #NeighbourgoodCommunity #DiversityAndInclusion

Accommodations at events: This past weekend was NYC COMICON. My husband Rhan, sent me this video. I wanted to point out the ADA Reserved Seating. While I could not go this year, I have in years past. I have seen awesome things at this event in disability panels and spaces. They even had a quiet room for those that needed it, no questions asked. You see some communities do this easily without even being asked. It just becomes a part of an event. There are many reasons for this. Subcultures tend to understand being other-Ed already and tend to make sure inclusivity exists for all in turn. Also, location matters. This is in NYC in the Javitz Center, known to many, many events, tradeshows and the like that are accessible to everyone from the building itself to services surrounding the area. When you do events, in person or virtually, take a moment to think. Ask yourself, what can I do to make this 1 degree more inclusive. Can I offer an interpretor, closed captions on my video, a sign, rope off seats, or just simply tell people to ask for what they need? There are so very many options, big, small, free to not so free. You can choose to do one or many. Whatever you do leaves an impression on your clientele both directly and indirectly. Be more inclusive. It is worth it. The world is better because of our differences and yes, disabilities. We would all be so boring if we were all the same. - Tiffany Freud #Monday #NYC #nycccc #comicon #events #inclusive #disability #speaker #coach #consultant #dei #diversity #inclusion #ideas #strategy #access #accessibility

The future looks stunning, but only if everyone can reach it. Because inclusion is an everyday practice. For me, it has always meant creating and being in spaces where people don’t have to shrink parts of themselves to fit in. But there’s something else we don’t talk about enough... who gets to decide what inclusion looks like? As a wheelchair user and a creative professional, I’ve seen how small design choices change everything. This picture inside the Aya Universe in Dubai feels symbolic to me. Because inclusion is about imagining futures that are bold, expansive, built for everyone; to be looked at as something achievable not aspirational. More of us disabled people, neurodivergent people, and anyone who’s been in in the gaps need to be in those rooms that are shaping the conversations. Because it’s our lived experiences that turn policies into something real. If you’re building an “accessible” space, we should be part of the design table, not the feedback form after. We shouldn’t have to move around in fear, wondering if the next place, event, travel, or job will be accessible. Coming across a ramp that’s at the correct angle, a room or bathroom without steps, a hotel’s accessible room with a seat to bathe, with switches and appliances within reach, or a mall bathroom that actually has a lock and isn’t used for storage: all of these shouldn’t feel like lucky exceptions. The same goes for captioned videos for the hearing impaired, tactile and audio-friendly design for the visually impaired, sensory-aware environments for neurodivergent people, and spaces that support invisible disabilities. Accessibility should be a mindset, a way of designing for real people and their many ways of being. We don't need to be “accommodated.” We need to be considered from the start. Every ramp, every interface, every opportunity should begin with the question, who might this leave out? On #WorldInclusionDay, I hope more of us keep speaking up. Because the people who live through exclusion are the ones who can truly redefine inclusion. #NowIsTheTime to build inclusion from the start and not as an afterthought. What would our world look like if inclusion was the starting point, not the fix? #WorldInclusionDay #InclusionMatters #Accessibility #InclusiveDesign #DisabilityInclusion #NothingAboutUsWithoutUs #AccessForAll #InclusiveIndia #RepresentationMatters #Belonging #DesignForAll

Inclusivity means creating environments, workplaces, and communities where everyone can participate fully, regardless of how they communicate or experience the world. For people who are deaf or hard of hearing, inclusivity can make a profound difference. It’s about ensuring that they have access to the same opportunities, conversations, and information as everyone else. Accessibility isn’t a nice-to-have, it’s mandatory for equity. True inclusivity benefits everyone. It challenges us to think differently, communicate more clearly, and build spaces where diversity of ability is recognized and valued. Every organization, every leader, and every individual has a role to play: Are we designing our communications, events, and workplaces so that no one is left out? Creating inclusive spaces isn’t just the right thing to do, it strengthens teams, communities, and society as a whole. Let’s continue to work together to make every voice heard. ❤️ #inclusivity #accessibility #deafawareness #inclusionmatters #diversityandinclusion #equityforall

Okay, I know I said last week was probably my favourite week at the British Council for Offices so far, but honestly, they just keep getting better. This morning I got to be in the audience of the BCO NextGen London & SE committee's event on disability inclusive workspaces at Arup's gorgeous offices at 80 Charlotte Street (well done Derwent London). And, if anyone says they saw me go to 8 Fitzroy Street first, they are lying. I do read instructions. Anyway, I'm not going to give it all away because 1) you should have been in attendance, and 2) a write up will be dropping on the news section of the BCO website in the next few days, but I am going to give you a sneak peek of the five key takeaways from the session. These are not hard takeaways either. I know that everyone can do all of these things listed here and so do you. 1) Go beyond compliance - Meeting regulations is the bare minimum. True inclusion requires empathy, creativity, and a willingness to challenge the status quo. 2) Design for flexibility - One-size-fits-all doesn’t work. Offer a variety of spaces and settings to accommodate visible and invisible disabilities alike.   3) Engage lived experience - Involve disabled people from the outset. Their insights are invaluable and often highlight issues that compliance alone can’t address. 4) Leverage technology - Use digital tools to enhance accessibility, from wayfinding apps to customizable workspaces. Tech can empower users and reduce the need for disclosure. 5) Make the business case if those further up the decision line aren't listening - Inclusion isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s smart business. Diverse teams are more innovative, resilient, and reflective of the world we live in. We all know that. The evidence is overwhelming. Huge, huge thanks for the insights and education must be paid to James taylor, co-founder of Motionspot, Frankie Pringle of Studio Pringle, Mei-Yee Man Oram of Arup and Jennie Berry of Sociability. At the BCO we've promised to talk more and talk louder on issues like this and to help provide the tools that enable our members to deliver best in class for everyone. I can’t wait to get going. Watch this space. More is coming. #withnotfor (Suzan Ucmaklioglu) (Sorry for the AI-ed pic but I was so engrossed listening that I didn’t take any pics of our fabulous panel.)

Accessibility still isn’t the default – and it should be. Living with a disability means there are times I simply can’t attend events in person, no matter how much I want to. And I do want to — nothing beats face-to-face interaction. But when that’s not possible, inclusion shouldn’t stop there. We live in a world with powerful hybrid tools, yet too often they’re not used or venues that cant accommodate them are choosen. Events go ahead as if everyone can be in the room — and if you can’t, you’re excluded. I’m fortunate that my team in Hertfordshire have never done this. They build accessibility into their thinking from the start. Sadly, many others still don’t, despite what they say about inclusion on thier websites and mission statements. If we really care about equity, we need to design participation so no one is left out — not as an afterthought, but as standard.

𝗖𝗼-𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝗠𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗱𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 🧑🤝🧑 Services with, not for. “Co-Design Methods for Inclusive Service Development” shows you how to bring clients, communities and workers into designing the service itself — making it more relevant, inclusive and effective. https://lnkd.in/gGS_ZUj4 #codesign #inclusion #serviceinnovation #TheHub

Why don't we talk about accessibility more? Last week at Fed Square, Melbourne Conversations explored the topic of Accessibility in the City hosted by Akii Ngo (they/them/theirs) with guest speakers: Dina Bassile (Founder and Access Consultant, Tibi Access) Caroline Bowditch (Artist, Arts Leader and Cultural Equity Consultant, Sidney Myer Creative Fellow 2025/26) Elvin Lam (Performer, Elvin Melvin with Emma Memma) Dr. Anna Wright (Founder and CEO, BindiMaps) It was eye-opening listening to the lived experiences of these panelists, it really brought to front of mind all the privileges that able bodied people take for granted on a day-to-day basis. For example, calling establishments ahead of time to let them know you're coming and ensure your accessibility needs are met, rather than it being a given. Melbourne has a long way to go in making public transport, hospitality venues and infrastructure accessible and affordable for all. One thing that I wasn't expecting to learn was how some people don't believe deaf people can dance and even prevent them from learning how to. This misconception serves as a clear example of how unfounded prejudices create inaccessible barriers that unjustly limit the self-expression and participation of differently-abled people. Accessibility should always be the default as everyone can use ramps but not everyone can use stairs. Why do we build ramps around stairs and not stairs around ramps? Differently abled people are a social category that discriminates against no one, barriers to access affects everyone. Every person deserves to feel welcome, included and considered wherever they go. We shouldn't have to wait till we develop a disability to start caring about accessibility.

🌍✨ Why are coworking spaces important for migrant inclusion in European cities? Two weeks ago, the RES-MOVE Project partners gathered in Paris to explore how coworking spaces can serve as hubs of belonging, innovation, and opportunity for people with a migration background. With 20% of Paris’ population made up of migrants, and 42% of refugees finding work within a year, coworking spaces play a vital role in bridging gaps, by fostering community and supporting employment. They create welcoming environments, from offering fair pricing systems to training teams on inclusive practices. The RES-MOVE project, co-funded by the EU’s Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF), explores these dynamics across 11 European cities – from Athens and Berlin to Amsterdam, Valencia, and Paris. Research shows that coworking spaces can be powerful tools for integration, especially in rural areas and for marginalised groups like women and LGBTQ+ communities. Coworking is no longer just about shared offices, it’s about shared futures.   See the findings of the RES-MOVE project here: https://lnkd.in/edn8z-Tk #Inclusion #Coworking #RESMOVE #Paris #InnovationSociale #AppelÀProjets Chiara Anderson Academy of Entrepreneurship (AKEP.EU) CeSPI - Centro Studi di Politica Internazionale European Coworking Assembly Refugees Welcome Italia SYNTHESIS Center for Research & Education Fundación MUSOL Migrafrica (VJAAD e.V.) Netwerkpro Malmö Ideella Michele Caleffi

ConnectHear is excited to announce the signing of an MoU with CCL Pharmaceuticals, marking a significant step toward fostering inclusivity in the workplace. Through this partnership with an organization dedicated to empowering persons with disabilities, we are committed to fostering environments where every voice is valued and every individual can thrive. We believe that sustainable progress is achieved by embedding inclusivity into organizational culture, ensuring workplaces are equitable, empowering, and designed for the success of all employees. Azima Dhanjee Arhum I. #ConnectHear #Inclusivity #Accessibility #Diversity #EmpowerEveryone #CCL #Collaboration #InclusiveWorkplace