The Access Wheel
Explore The Access Wheel: Inclusive Decision-Making, Facilitation, & Systems Change (AKA Norms From a Non-Normate)
Inspired by excellent facilitation norms from peers in the racial equity space (such as Equity Matters) and foundational principles from disability justice leaders, I have searched for a long time for a framework for disability-as-diversity facilitation. Given how loaded the language of “norms” is when you’re existing as a non-normate and championing anti-ableist and anti-racist actions, I prefer to frame The Access Wheel as a set of practices for facilitation and change-making when it comes to disability, accessibility, and belonging.
The Access Wheel was authored by me (Carrie Basas of CoDesign Works); it is not public domain, nor is it open source. To honor its origins and avoid dilution, CoDesign Works extends licensing through a one-time fee and training model to approved partners. Half of all profits from The Access Wheel are donated to disability-led nonprofit organizations and projects.
Discover The Access Wheel Framework
The Access Wheel= Shared practices for inclusive decision-making, grounded in disability wisdom
What makes us better at “disability inclusion”, makes us stronger at building humane approaches and systems for people, period. When we lead with disability as an experience of both oppression and human variation, we build stronger, fairer, and more adaptive systems– not just accessibility compliance or “inclusion” efforts.
The Access Wheel is a disability-equity and belonging–rooted framework for decision-making, facilitation, and inclusive systems change. While many approaches to accessibility involve inspiring keynotes or detailed reviews of technical requirements (which we also do, just with more zing and from the perspective of a former poster child/current lawyer), The Access Wheel focuses on how we respond to disability as a human experience in our planning, communities, and interactions. The Access Wheel is a slight nod to a wheelchair tire and a full celebration of the interconnectedness of disability with other justice movements. When we practice access, we practice creativity, flexibility, interdependence, and care– the stuff of true belonging centered.
Responsive Licensing Options
Flexible licenses designed for organizations of all sizes, with at least half of all profits from licensing contributed to disability-led social impact efforts.
Comprehensive & Tailored Training Support
Hands-on training to ensure impactful implementation.
Guidance & Usage Policies
Clear guidelines to support responsible facilitation. Licensing includes a longer PDF with explanations of each practice.
Licensing and Training Details
One-Time Licensing Includes:
- High-resolution versions of The Access Wheel in PNG, JPEG, and accessible PDF formats, and full-text explanations of each practice
- Permission to use the Wheel in facilitation, professional development, internal documents, or presentations
- Required attribution language: All users must include the following acknowledgment wherever the Wheel is used: “The Access Wheel was created by Carrie Basas/CoDesign Works. Used with permission. Learn more at codesignworks.com/the-access-wheel.”
- Usage guidance for access, facilitation, and framing
- All licensees must participate in at least one 2-hour training with CoDesign Works (or Justice Studio) or have completed a comparable level of consulting support from CoDesign Works before using The Access Wheel in a professional or organizational context. The training or consulting fee is not part of the licensing fee quoted below. This licensing-training combination requirement protects the integrity of the framework and equips teams to use it responsibly.
$35.00
Personal Use License
Designed or individual educators, students, or practitioners referencing only the PDF for personal learning. Not for use in work meetings or shared distribution/circulation. There is no required training or consulting component for personal use.
$800-$3000+
School, Higher Ed, & Government Licenses
Designed for organizations implementing The Access Wheel with staff training and expanded usage rights.
- K–12 Public Schools: $800/school (district-wide pricing is available based on size.)
- K–12 Independent/Private Schools: $1,000–$3,000/ school (tiered according to operational budget size)
- Government Agencies (including school district central offices, public colleges, and public universities): $2,500 minimum (pricing reflects department-level or institution-wide use.)
- Private Colleges and Universities: $3,000 minimum (pricing reflects department-level or institution-wide use)
- Licensing fees do not include the required two-hour training or comparable consulting time.
$500-$10,000
Nonprofit & Foundation Licenses
Designed for social impact organizations implementing The Access Wheel with staff training and expanded usage rights.
- Grassroots Disability-Led Organizations: $500 for orgs where disabled people most impacted by injustice make up the majority of staff and board (sliding scale consideration is available for grassroots disability-led initiatives)
- Mainstream Nonprofits: $1,000–$5,000 for ally-led orgs or those not structurally embedded in and accountable to disabled communities
- Foundations/Philanthropy: $5,000–$10,000 (tiered based on operational budget size)
- Licensing fees do not include the two-hour training or comparable consulting time.
Optional Add-Ons
- Co-branded internal toolkit or slide decks
- Follow-up coaching for facilitators or governance leads
- Integration into organizational policies, strategic planning, or onboarding
carrie@CoDesignworks.com
Interested in Licensing? Reach out to: