As part of the All Standards with Us project, a series of three co-design sessions was held to identify and address accessibility and inclusion barriers in the standards development process. The sessions were grounded in participatory design principles, centering the lived experiences of Disabled and Deaf individuals.
Each session engaged 11 participants from disability and Deaf communities, recruited through trusted project partners. Participants represented a wide range of disabilities, diverse backgrounds, and ages spanning from 20 to 70. The facilitation team provided an inclusive, respectful, and accessible environment throughout the sessions.
Key recommendations shared during the sessions included:
- Ensuring accessible registration and onboarding
- Improving participation through accessible meeting practices, inclusive facilitation, and ongoing mentorship
- Engaging with communities through partnerships, influencers, and tailored outreach when sharing completed standards
The results from the co-design activities are currently being combined with co-research findings into a set of guidelines for Standards Development Organizations which will enable them to improve the accessibility of the standards creation process.