More Than an Internship: What We Learned About Accessibility and Inclusion
This summer, Homeward had the privilege of welcoming an intern in partnership with the Virginia Department of the Blind and Vision Impaired (VRCBVI). Over the course of two weeks they made a meaningful impact on our team while reminding us that accessibility and inclusion are ongoing commitments that help all of us work better.
Our Intern!
Our intern (remaining anonymous since they are a minor) joined Homeward as part of the LIFE program at VRCBVI, which helps youth ages 14-18 gain independence, confidence, and advocacy skills that includes facilitating what is, for many of the program participants, their first work experience. During their time with us, they worked on projects including preparing acknowledgement letters to send to donors, did a learning session with the Homeless Connection Line, organized files, and assembled materials for our upcoming Housing-Focused Leaders Cohort. All of these tasks helping support our mission to prevent and solve homelessness throughout the Greater Richmond region.
Seeing Ability, Not Disability
Our intern is blind, but as we quickly discovered, that tells only a part of their story. They are interested in machines and technology. Their favorite snack is Oreos. Their curiosity and thought-provoking questions were what stood out most. Their perspective challenged us to think about accessibility not as a special accommodation, but as an important part of creating workplaces where everyone can do their best work.
What We Learned
Every internship is a learning experience for both the intern and the organization. Working alongside our VRCBVI intern reminded us that many accessibility improvements are simple to implement and make everyone's experience better.
Some of the lessons we took away include:
- Asking questions instead of making assumptions about what support someone may need.
- Recognizing that accessibility benefits everyone, not just people with disabilities.
- Checking that documents and digital files work with screen readers.
- Adding alternative text to images.
- Using clear heading structures and descriptive links on webpages.
Looking Ahead
We are grateful to our VRCBVI intern for sharing their talents with Homeward and for helping us continue to grow as an organization. As they look ahead to furthering their career readiness, we're thankful to have been part of their journey!
Accessibility Resources for Employers and Nonprofits
If your organization is interested in making your workplace or website more inclusive, these resources are a great place to begin:
- Job Accommodation Network (JAN): Free guidance on workplace accommodations, disability etiquette, and inclusive hiring.
- World Wide Web Consortium: International guidance on accessible websites, including the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).
- WebAIM: Practical checklists, accessibility articles, and tools for evaluating websites.
- U.S. Department of Justice: Information about accessibility and ADA requirements for employers and public-facing organizations.
