MELINDA EPLER: I'm Melinda Epler.
WAYNE SUTTON: I'm Wayne Sutton.
And we're the founders of Change Catalyst.
We empower inclusive and sustainable innovation
globally.
MELINDA EPLER: Welcome to this series sponsored
by Women Techmakers, Google's program that
provides visibility, community, and resources
for women in technology.
Together we're helping tech hubs to develop more inclusive
cultures, programs, and spaces.
WAYNE SUTTON: Spaces can create a positive or negative
experience for people in your community.
Without conscious and intentional design,
your space can be welcoming or intimidating,
or even threatening.
If you manage a dedicated space or if you're
using a space for your community to meet,
consider how inclusive the environment is for everyone.
MELINDA EPLER: Accessibility-- this
is a big one that starts before you even get to the front door.
Some questions to ask yourself include,
is your location accessible to public transit?
The further away you are from public transit,
the harder you will have to work to invite people
with disabilities to your programs.
WAYNE SUTTON: Do you have accessible entrances
in restrooms and kitchens?
Will someone who is blind or in a wheelchair
be able to access directional signage in your facility?
Do your events have accessible signs, hours, and seating?
MELINDA EPLER: And of course, is your website accessible?
We did an accessibility audit for a client
and found that the Register button on their event site
wasn't accessible to people who are blind.
Make sure that people of all backgrounds
can access your site.
WAYNE SUTTON: Decor-- from the paintings on the wall,
furniture, carpet colors, or wall color--
how you design your physical space matters.
Seek input from your hub diverse community,
while creating an experience to allow everyone to be themselves
and productive.
MELINDA EPLER: Make sure to look at the design
through the lens of gender, race, ethnicity, religion,
sexual preference, age, ability, and socioeconomic status.
And while many restrooms traditionally
have been male or female, consider
creating a gender-inclusive or gender-neutral restroom.
This allows transgender and gender non-binary people
to safely use the restrooms.
WAYNE SUTTON: It also allows people with disabilities
to have a caretaker of a different gender
assist them in the restrooms.
It takes a little getting used to at first.
But in a short amount of time, it will become the new normal.
And many will find it a huge relief.
Different religions require different prayer times.
Be sure to offer people a safe space
to practice their religion.
MELINDA EPLER: Additionally, many people
thrive when they meditate during the day.
These spaces can be offered for quiet meditation as well.
Women who are breastfeeding need a safe, quiet, clean,
and private space to pump breast milk several times a day.
This should be as comfortable as possible and absolutely not
in the restroom.
WAYNE SUTTON: This room should have
a lock, a microwave, a refrigerator
where moms can store breast milk.
Offer water.
And have a comfortable seat and an outlet.
Ideally, it is also near a source
of both hot and cold water for washing their hands,
pump attachment, and milk collection containers.
MELINDA EPLER: There's a huge return on investment
here, as you'll reduce turnover rates and absenteeism
significantly and have happier, more productive members
of the community.
WAYNE SUTTON: Providing childcare opportunities
to parents shows that you value their family's well-being
and personal life.
MELINDA EPLER: Studies have shown repeatedly
that childcare in the workplace improves productivity, attracts
and retains employees or co-working teams,
reduces absenteeism, and provides overall happiness
and relief for parents.
WAYNE SUTTON: If you can't offer childcare,
consider offering childcare reimbursements.
Often childcare centers are far from tech hubs.
If this is the case in your community,
consider becoming an advocate for bringing childcare centers
closer to your facility.
MELINDA EPLER: As an inclusive physical space,
your code of conduct is your law of the land
that signals accountability and that you value and care
about the well-being of your community.
Display your code of conduct in central areas
accessible to everyone.
WAYNE SUTTON: Provide responsible ways
for your community to report any behavior that does not align
with your code of conduct.
MELINDA EPLER: Include your legal team and inclusion
community on the process of creating disciplinary methods
if anyone gets out of line.
WAYNE SUTTON: Your code of conduct is your enforcer
and the face of your organization
values that you care about.
To get started with creating a code of conduct,
visit the links below.
MELINDA EPLER: If you offer free food in your kitchen
or at events or you have a cafe or even vending machines,
make sure you include food that addresses community needs.
That means offering vegetarian, vegan, halal, kosher,
and gluten-free foods.
Additionally, survey your community for ongoing dietary
needs.
WAYNE SUTTON: For more information
about Women Techmakers and Change Catalyst,
see the links below.
MELINDA EPLER: And share this series with your community.
Let's work together to create inclusive tech hubs
around the world.