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When getting to the room takes more effort than the meeting itself

Illustration on a black background promoting The Accessibility Playbook. On the left, the text reads “The Accessibility Playbook” and “When getting into the room takes more effort than the meeting itself.” Below the text is the BlindSpot eye logo, shown as a stylised eye icon. On the right, a person carrying a stack of folders struggles to open a door labelled “Meeting Room,” highlighting the effort required just to enter the space.

Most workplaces assume that moving through a space is neutral.


Walk down the corridor. Open the door. Take the stairs. Find a seat.


But for many people, those simple actions already require effort before the work even begins.


The everyday moment

A person encounters stairs, heavy doors, or narrow pathways when moving through a workplace or shared space.


Nothing is technically “blocked”.


Nothing looks obviously inaccessible.


So the assumption is that everything is fine.


What often goes unnoticed

Stairs, heavy doors, and tight pathways can demand extra strength, balance, coordination, or endurance.


That extra effort might look like:


  • Moving more slowly than others

  • Pausing before entering a room

  • Taking a longer route to avoid an area

  • Arriving already fatigued


Most people will not say anything.


They do not want to draw attention to themselves.


They do not want to slow others down.


They do not want to be seen as difficult.


So they adapt quietly.


Why this matters for workplace experience

When energy is spent just getting into the space, there is less left for:


  • Listening

  • Thinking

  • Contributing

  • Staying engaged


Over time, repeated barriers shape behaviour.


People may avoid certain rooms, arrive already drained, disengage earlier, or decline opportunities altogether.


These responses are often misread as disinterest or lack of motivation, when they are simply practical ways of conserving energy.


What a small change looks like

Accessibility here is not about dramatic redesigns.


It is about everyday awareness and simple flexibility.


Small changes might sound like:


  • “Let me know if there’s an easier way we can set this up.”

  • “We can adjust the space if that helps.”

  • “If you’d like support, just let me know.”


Even noticing and offering the option matters.


It removes the burden from the individual to ask, explain, or justify.


The bigger picture

Accessibility barriers are rarely obvious.


They are often physical, quiet, and cumulative.


When workplaces reduce unnecessary effort, people have more capacity to participate fully.


That is not special treatment.


That is good workplace design.

Small change. Big impact.

Want more everyday moments like this?

This is one example from the BlindSpot Accessibility Playbook, a practical resource designed to help teams notice everyday barriers and respond in more thoughtful, respectful ways.


The playbook covers mobility, vision, hearing, neurodivergence, and mental health experiences across physical, digital, procedural, and cultural parts of work.


If you want a simple way to start better conversations about accessibility in everyday work, the playbook is a good place to begin.


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