Associations Quick Poll Research

A small panel of association CEOs answered a series of six questions to help the Foundation understand how associations are addressing accessibility in their organization. Below are the key findings and results.

Timeframe: July 25 – August 31, 2023
Method: Text-polling

Key Findings
Although the association CEOs who responded to this poll are motivated by inclusivity and equal access, few have acted on that motivation. Areas for improvement include developing an accessibility statement, understanding the current state of disability-inclusion in their association, and receiving adequate training. Meetings and events remain the primary focus for disability-inclusion and accessibility.

Final Results

Two in three panelists selected inclusivity and equal access as the primary motivating factor when addressing accessibility.
One in four panelists have an accessibility statement.
About 91% of panelists do not have goals to currently attract, hire, and retain individuals with disabilities.
Around 78% of panelists have not completed an assessment to understand disability-inclusive hiring nor have they completed a web accessibility audit.
And, 70% of panelists do not have an accessibility and disability inclusion expert currently on staff.

The panel ranked the top accessibility issues from highest to lowest:

Meetings and events accessibility (31%)
Disability awareness training (23%)
Web accessibility (16%)
Digital accessibility technical training (10%)
PDF and multimedia accessibility (8%)
Other/none (8%)
Environmental accessibility adaptations and/or builds (4%)

Participants

The panel consisted of the following demographics:

Organization Type

53% Professional
16% Trade
14% Combination
17% Other

Industry Type

30% Healthcare
16% Education
10% Real Estate
5% Financial
39% Other (various)

Staff Size*

38% Small
44% Medium
8% Large
10% Extra-Large

Annual Budget

15% $0-$1M
43% $1M-$5M
16% $5M-$9M
15% $10M-$25M
11% $25M+

Source: Associations Quick Poll: Accessibility in Associations CEO Panel, 2023

* Small staff size 0-9, medium staff size, 10-50, large staff size 50-100, extra-large staff size 100+

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