Standing up for Access
It may seem like a little thing, but allowing people the option to change positions during marathon meetings can be a game-changer for folks who live with chronic conditions. Many of us do not do well when we have to remain in one spot for long periods of time. I know I certainly have a hard time concentrating when pain and stiffness inevitably start to assert themselves. Complicating matters, my brain then begins a debate that further divides my attention: Do I risk disrupting the meeting so I can alleviate my pain and thus participate more fully, or do I put up with it and remain distracted?
It’s a tough position to be in (literally!), and I suspect I am not alone in facing this conundrum on a fairly regular basis. No professional wants to be rude, nor draw undue attention to themselves—yet, neither do they not want to be checked-out due to pain. A lot of organizations have embraced standing desks, but I haven’t yet seen this replicated in the boardroom.
The good news is, this dilemma is solvable through a cultural shift toward normalizing changing position during meetings. Facilitators can encourage people at the beginning of long meetings to feel free to shift positions and ensure that there is sufficient space between and behind chairs so that folks can get up and do this with a minimum of difficulty or disruption.
This is another instance in which supporting a culture of Universal Design can be helpful to many workers, in addition to those who need accommodation. People who do not have chronic conditions can still benefit from changing to a standing position to increase blood flow, and there’s some research that suggests that doing so actually enhances information processing.
It seems to me that in this particular instance, the way is easy; all that is required is the will. I hope that organizations will insist on standing for better.
