A practical workplace initiative is helping employees and employers identify accessibility gaps and rethink how inclusive their environments really are.
Western Cape, South Africa (27 March 2026) – The Western Cape Association of and for Persons with Disabilities is pushing for a more honest look at how inclusive South African workplaces really are, and they’re doing it in a way that’s hard to ignore.
Through its Walk in My Wheels initiative, the organisation is encouraging companies to move beyond policies and actually experience what accessibility feels like on the ground. The programme challenges employees to spend part of their workday using a wheelchair while going about their usual tasks.
It’s during this time that small, often overlooked details start to stand out. Spaces that seem functional at first glance can quickly reveal limitations, from tight office layouts to facilities that aren’t designed with everyone in mind.
The goal is not to simulate disability, but to build awareness in a practical, real-world way. By placing people in unfamiliar situations, the programme opens up conversations around how workplaces are designed and whether they truly cater to a diverse workforce.
This comes at a time when disability inclusion in South Africa still has a long way to go. Despite national targets, representation of persons with disabilities in the workforce remains low. While attitudes are slowly evolving, many environments are still not fully equipped to support meaningful participation.
According to the organisation, one of the biggest gaps lies in how businesses assess their own readiness.
The experience also encourages teams to reflect on how they support one another. Inclusion is not only about infrastructure, but also about understanding, empathy and everyday interactions in the workplace.
By rolling out programmes like this, the association is calling on organisations to take a more active role in shaping inclusive spaces. It’s about shifting from intention to action and recognising that real change often starts with seeing things from a different perspective.
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