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People & inclusion

Measure access, not just attendance

Participation counts are a starting point for understanding barriers.

Cultivate Business editorial · October 7, 2026 · 2 min read

Forest-green notebook and botanical hemp leaf on cream paper beside a window.

Look at the experience

A workshop may be well attended while some participants cannot use the material or ask questions comfortably. Consider the route from invitation to participation: timing, cost, language, format and accessibility. Ask for feedback in a way that does not pressure people to disclose personal circumstances. Explain how the information will be used.

Turn feedback into changes

Identify a specific barrier and test a practical improvement, such as providing an accessible document or offering a different session time. Report what changed rather than presenting attendance as proof of inclusion. Collect only the information needed to evaluate the change and handle it appropriately. Inclusion work is more credible when it describes actions and limits instead of broad success claims.

A short working checklist

  • Review the full route to participation.
  • Ask about barriers without demanding sensitive details.
  • Describe concrete changes and their limits.

Further reading

General educational material. Requirements depend on the actual activity and jurisdiction.