• Richard H. Bernstein, Michigan Supreme Court associate justice and disability rights advocate, shares practical takeaways for individuals across Michigan and beyond.

Michigan, US, 25th February 2026, ZEX PR WIRE, Richard H. Bernstein, an associate justice of the Michigan Supreme Court and the first blind justice in the court’s history, is drawing attention to several fast-moving trends shaping everyday access, work, and participation for people with disabilities and the wider public.

Bernstein, who has been legally blind since birth due to retinitis pigmentosa and has completed 27 marathons, said these shifts are no longer confined to policy discussions. They show up in how people commute, learn, work, and use public spaces.

Trend 1: Disability is more common than many people assume

In the United States, more than 1 in 4 adults have a disability (28.7%).
Globally, the World Health Organization estimates 1.3 billion people, about 1 in 6, experience significant disability. 

Bernstein said this changes how people should think about access. “Accessibility is not a niche issue. It is something that touches families, workplaces, schools, and public spaces every day.”

Trend 2: Disability and work are shifting, slowly but measurably

In 2024, the employment to population ratio for people with a disability reached a series high of 22.7%, and labor force participation reached 24.5%. 

Bernstein pointed to this as a signal that more organisations are adjusting, even if progress is uneven. “When work systems are flexible and tools are usable, more people can contribute. That benefits teams and customers, not just the person requesting an accommodation.”

Trend 3: Accessible design tends to help everyone

Bernstein noted that design changes intended for disability access often become universal improvements. That pattern is sometimes described as the curb-cut effect, where changes made for wheelchair access also help parents with prams, travellers with luggage, and older adults. 

“A well-designed ramp, a clear crossing signal, or a more readable interface does not just remove barriers,” Bernstein said. “It improves the experience for everyone who uses the space.”

Trend 4: Rules exist, but follow-through is where outcomes change

Federal ADA rules require many public accommodations and commercial facilities to be accessible when newly built or altered.
Bernstein tied this to his earlier disability rights casework, including efforts that improved wheelchair access in public transit and expanded accessible seating and routes in major venues.

“The law can set the baseline,” Bernstein said. “Real life changes when organisations plan for access early and measure it like any other core requirement.”

What this means in plain language

Bernstein’s view is that access is increasingly practical, not theoretical. A bus lift that works means getting to a job. A stadium seat that is truly usable means being able to attend with friends and family. A safe crossing design means independence. These are day-to-day outcomes, and the trend lines suggest more people and institutions are paying attention.

Your next 7 days

1. Do a quick access audit of one place you visit often (work, gym, school, clinic). Note one friction point.

2. If you manage a team, ask one simple question: what part of our process is hardest to use?

3. Turn on accessibility features on your phone (larger text, voice control, screen reader options) and learn the basics.

4. If you host meetings, share materials in advance and keep formatting simple and readable.

5. When you book an appointment or event, check access details early (parking, routes, seating, restrooms).

6. Make one “low-cost fix” where you live or work (better lighting, clearer labels, reduced clutter).

7. Save one reliable disability resource page for later and share it with someone who might need it.

Your next 90 days

1. Build accessibility into planning: add an access checklist to events, renovations, or new vendor selection.

2. Upgrade one core tool for usability (captioning, readable PDFs, better contrast, keyboard navigation).

3. If you lead a business function, track one metric tied to access (time-to-support, customer drop-off, or complaint themes).

4. Set a quarterly review of physical access and digital usability, like any other operational control.

5. Volunteer time or professional skills with a local disability-focused organisation or access initiative.

Pick one step from the next 7 days list and start now. Small changes compound quickly when they remove friction from everyday life.

About Richard H. Bernstein

Richard H. Bernstein is an associate justice of the Michigan Supreme Court, serving since January 1, 2015, and the first blind justice in the court’s history. A long-time disability rights advocate, he has worked on accessibility issues across public spaces and services. He is also an endurance athlete who has completed 27 marathons.