Starbucks Coffee Company, CVS Health, Walmart, Sam’s Club, Step n’ Wash, amongst others, join as inaugural members
For Immediate Release: July 9, 2025
Contact: Jess Davidson, jdavidson@aapd.com; 202-465-5528
WASHINGTON, D.C. – This July, we celebrate Disability Pride. Nearly one in four American adults has a disability and lives independently, seeks to work for competitive wages, and learns alongside their peers. Although the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) passed nearly thirty-five years ago, communities and retail spaces across the country often remain difficult for many disabled people to navigate. For millions, something as simple as using a public restroom or entering a store without assistance is still a challenge.
Retail leaders across the U.S. are working to change that. With a long-term vision of creating entire communities that are accessible, industry leaders from Starbucks Coffee Company, CVS Health, Walmart, Sam’s Club, Otis Elevator, LockNet, and Step ‘n Wash have teamed up with the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) to create The Access Coalition: Creating More Inclusive Retail Spaces.
Starting with a focus on retail spaces, these companies are working together to expand and open-source the Inclusive Spaces Framework, which was originally authored by Starbucks and utilized in the launch of a Starbucks store in the Union Market District of Washington, D.C.
“The Access Coalition is a powerful example of the positive impact that can occur when industry comes together with community to co-create spaces that reflect and adapt to the range of consumer experiences. It is coalitions like this that make the goals of the Americans with Disabilities Act, of Equal Opportunity, Full Participation, Independent Living, and Economic Self-Sufficiency achievable, and it is the work of coalitions like this that make it easier for us to embrace our disability pride.” – Maria Town, President and CEO, American Association of People with Disabilities.
Coalition members believe in the importance of embedding accessibility in all spaces and the value of bringing the business community together to do more, including developing proof points that accessibility is good for business.
“At Starbucks, our inclusive design practice ensures that our coffeehouses are places of belonging for all. There is enormous value in partnering with other businesses to create more welcoming places in the communities that we serve. We’ve learned that this approach improves the experience for everyone, especially people with disabilities, and is also good for businesses.” – Dawn Clark, Senior Vice President of Coffeehouse Design and Concepts, Starbucks
The Access Coalition is focused on co-creation and works closely with inclusive design experts and people with disabilities to inform best practices for design and accessibility in the retail sector for customers and employees alike. At an event earlier this year at Walmart’s headquarters in Bentonville, Arkansas, focus groups informed critical work for the coalition.
“We’re committed to creating a Walmart and Sam’s Club for everyone. We recognize that advancing accessibility is a shared responsibility. By ensuring accessibility remains a core part of our design, building, and operations, we’re not just removing barriers—we’re opening new opportunities. Through collaboration with peers in The Access Coalition, we’re shaping a future where inclusive design is the standard.” – Gayatri Agnew, Senior Director Global Associate Experience and Head of Accessibility Center of Excellence, Walmart and Sam’s Club
The coalition is built on a shared commitment to inclusion and expanding independence, choice, and ease for all people across spaces. After the design sprint at Walmart’s headquarters, member companies are now designing and hoping to pilot these design changes across their store locations nationwide.
“At CVS Health, we know the importance ensuring every individual feels welcome on their health care journey. We believe that everyone deserves access to care and resources they need, and we’re proud to ensure our spaces that reflect that commitment. Meeting the many health and wellness needs of the communities we serve is a priority and we know that building partnerships to drive accessibility is essential.” – Charley Golden, Senior Vice President, Real Estate, Construction and Property Administration, CVS Health.
The coalition is now actively seeking new members to join its mission as it works to build on the ADA and create more accessible and inclusive spaces for all.
“Real accessibility means creating spaces where everyone, regardless of their ability or height, has the dignity of independence and access to basic hygiene. At Step ‘n Wash, we are proud to join The Access Coalition to help reimagine retail environments where inclusive design isn’t a luxury – it’s the expectation.” – Jacob Fedosky, President, Step ‘n Wash.
“Making change in the retail space begins with collaboration. The Access Coalition is bringing together large retailers, nonprofits, and business partners such as us at LockNet to change design standards and implement real changes for customers with disabilities. We are ready to demonstrate the business case for accessibility, together.” – Elise Miller, Director of Business Development, LockNet.
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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
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.
Image Description: Logos for Starbucks, CVS Health, Walmart, Sam’s Club, LockNet and Step ‘n Wash