For Immediate Release: February 25, 2026
The Access Coalition, a groundbreaking, multi-company collaboration convened by the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), announced today the public release of a suite of resources designed to accelerate inclusive design and accessibility across the retail sector.
“Enduring accessibility emerges when design decisions are informed by how spaces are actually used and sustained over time,” said Dewayne Johnson, Director of Economic & Social Impact at the American Association of People with Disabilities. “This release reflects a disciplined effort to translate the lived experiences of consumers with disabilities into feasible, operational guidance that supports sound planning, improves usability for everyone, and strengthens access in ways that remain effective as environments evolve.”
This release, which marks the successful conclusion of the Coalition’s first year, includes the Inclusive Spaces Playbook: A Practical Guide Through the Journey of Inclusive Design, an updated Version 2 of the Inclusive Spaces Framework Checklist featuring an expanded restroom section, and the Year 1 Annual Report.
“Our commitment to inclusive design at Starbucks is rooted in our commitment to ensure every customer and partner feels they belong in our coffeehouses,” said David Wykes, VP Global Coffeehouse Concept Design, Starbucks Coffee Company. “By releasing the Inclusive Spaces Playbook and the latest version of the Inclusive Spaces Framework, we are moving beyond theory into practice alongside our coalition partners. The collaboration of the Access Coalition shows that when we design for accessibility, we create more welcoming experiences for everyone.”
The Access Coalition unites member companies Starbucks Coffee Company, Walmart, CVS Health, Sam’s Club, LockNet, Step ‘n Wash, and Inclusive Web in an unprecedented effort to move beyond minimum compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and create retail environments that are welcoming and accessible to everyone.
“At Walmart, we believe inclusive design is fundamental to creating experiences where everyone—customers and associates alike—can participate fully,” said Gayatri Richardson, Senior Director, Global Associate Experience, Walmart. “Through our work with The Access Coalition, we’re proud to help turn intention into action by sharing practical tools that make accessibility achievable, scalable, and impactful across the retail industry.”
The newly released documents provide a clear path and practical tools for businesses and companies with physical spaces, regardless of their size or where they are on their accessibility journey, to integrate inclusive design into their spaces.
- The Inclusive Spaces Playbook provides suggestions, best practices, and resources for organizations on how to get started with inclusive design, convene stakeholders, assess their current state, and put inclusive design tools into practice. It is written for a broad audience, including designers, architects, strategists, and executives.
- Version 2 of the Inclusive Spaces Framework Checklist is a practical, tiered tool that helps organizations identify opportunities to exceed ADA minimums and achieve spaces that offer greater choice and independence. The framework defines three tiers — A (Good), AA (Better), and AAA (Best) — to guide continuous improvement.
- The Year 1 Annual Report details the Coalition’s accomplishments, including the successful co-design of inclusive restroom solutions with people with disabilities. It also outlines ambitious goals for Year 2, such as launching a research study to strengthen the business case for accessibility.
“At CVS Health, we’re dedicated to ensuring that our community pharmacies are inclusive and places where everyone can shop and access pharmacy care,” said Charley Golden, Senior Vice President, Real Estate, Construction and Property Administration, CVS Health. “We’re proud to collaborate with The Access Coalition on important initiatives that reinforce our commitment to inclusive design and accessibility.”
The Access Coalition was initially planned in March 2024 by Starbucks Coffee Company, Walmart, and AAPD, and officially launched in October 2024. The first year concluded in September 2026.
“There is often a gap between wanting an accessible restroom and knowing how to execute it,” said Jacob Fedosky, President, Step ‘n Wash. “I am proud to support these resources because they give operators a clear, practical guide. This suite removes the guesswork and makes inclusive design easier to implement.”
These new resources from The Access Coalition are available to the public and represent a significant step toward making inclusive design the industry standard.
“Meaningful accessibility starts with compliance, best practices, and the right partnerships. At LockNet, we believe this unprecedented suite of tools being released today will empower organizations of all sizes to prioritize inclusive design,” said Elise Miller, Director of Business Development, LockNet. “We are proud to contribute to a movement that treats accessibility not just as a requirement, but as a catalyst for innovation and community impact across the retail industry.”
“True inclusion requires a seamless bridge between the physical and digital experience. As part of The Access Coalition, we are focused on ensuring that digital tools empower people with disabilities,” said Matthew Elefant, Managing Director, Inclusive Web. “The Coalition’s goal is to help retailers build a future where every touchpoint is designed with everyone in mind.”
About The Access Coalition:
The Access Coalition: Creating More Inclusive Retail Spaces 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 coalition is working to co-create a first-of-its-kind framework to improve physical accessibility and advance disability inclusion in retail design. Learn more at www.aapd.com/inclusive-retail-spaces-coalition and follow The Access Coalition on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-access-coalition/.
To learn more about the coalition, please reach out to the coalition’s senior advisor, Kimberly Knackstedt at knackstedt@unlockaccess.org. For media inquiries please reach out to jdavidson@aapd.com.