Meet the Accessibility Roundtable: Andrea Greenblatt
Meet the Accessibility Roundtable: In this series, we’ll be getting to know the team members that make up this cross-departmental working group to improve OneTable’s accessibility (learn more about the Accessibility Roundtable here). Join Naomi (they/them), Miami Field Manager, and Andrea (she/her), Chief Operations Officer, in conversation about Andrea’s story, why she joined the roundtable, and what she loves about this work.
What does accessibility mean to you?
Interesting question! When I hear the word accessibility, my gut reaction is to think about physical accessibility — specifically wheelchair accessibility. But I think it goes beyond that; it means no barriers. How can we imagine barrier-free living? It’s architectural design in all its forms.
In what ways does the work of your specific department need to be mindful of accessibility needs?
I want to keep prioritizing making sure that our whole team becomes as familiar and fluent in the language of accessibility. Our team has to feel comfortable and confident so hosts & guests can feel that way, too. My department is responsible for making sure there are always funds available for accessibility support, or we can figure out creative solutions to get that funding.
What inspired you to join the Accessibility Roundtable? Do you have a personal connection to this work?
The Roundtable is both relevant to my role as COO because structurally I want to make those changes and sign off on financial decisions. It’s also important to my role in HR, making OneTable a more accessible place to work for everyone. For over half of my life, my partner has had MS and is legally blind and parapalegic. There’s a lot he can’t do. I’m constantly considering accessibility in my personal life, and want to bring this perspective to OneTable.
What’s a change or project you’ve been working on to improve OneTable’s accessibility functions for the team and/or users?
Since our Roundtable launched, we have made strides for the hard-of-hearing community: We brought in interpreters for online events. We made closed captions possible on our Zoom meetings. Those were some immediate things we could put into action very quickly. Our working group has influenced the way we have talked about accessibility on the platform, and while we have a way to go, it has improved a lot since I started.
What’s something you’re excited to learn more about?
I find it fascinating that as technology changes, finding technological solutions to barriers is kind of amazing. You know I hate Amazon, and yet Alexa has changed my husband’s life and we use it everyday. It’s about hacking technology that has already been created, in order to make solutions, and that way they’re already normalized. I think that’s the way of the future, and I can’t wait to keep learning more!
