Publishers like ASCE have an important role in making sure information is accurate and properly represents the topic at hand. And doing so requires the inclusion of diverse perspectives.
“Inclusivity and accessibility have already improved ASCE publications by making them more user friendly, equitable, and responsive to the needs of a broader audience,” said Damita Snow, director of accessibility and diversity, equity and inclusion strategy for ASCE publications and standards. “By working closely with vendors, colleagues, and other publishers, we stay aligned with evolving regulations and best practices.”
In 2023, the Society launched an accessibility page on ASCE Library. Recently, under the Indian government’s One Nation One Subscription initiative, more than 6,000 higher education institutions have access to ASCE Journals.
Civil Engineering Source recently spoke with Snow about the state of inclusivity and accessibility in publishing and how ASCE has embraced diverse voices.
Civil Engineering Source: Why are inclusivity and accessibility important in publishing?
Damita Snow: Inclusivity and accessibility are essential in publishing because the industry has long struggled with a lack of diversity. Without diverse perspectives, the field risks becoming stagnant, dominated by groupthink, and disconnected from the audiences it seeks to serve. Homogeneity is not only uninspiring, but it also limits creativity and innovation.
From a research and editorial perspective, broad representation can protect against parachute or helicopter science in which researchers from wealthier institutions conduct studies in under-resourced regions without involvement of the local community – practices which can erode trust in science and perpetuate inequities, among other damaging potential outcomes.
Diversity and inclusivity embody a growth mindset. By welcoming voices from different backgrounds, cultures, and lived experiences, publishing can generate richer ideas, more authentic stories, and a broader appeal to readers.
Source: What can publishers do to ensure that they are creating a diverse and inclusive environment?
Snow: Publishers can take meaningful steps toward creating a more diverse and inclusive environment by starting with intentional learning opportunities like the Pathways to Inclusive Publishing Summit on Jan. 29.
Beyond events, publishers must commit to ongoing collaboration and reflection. Working with others to share best practices, exchange ideas, and learn from different perspectives strengthens the entire community.
Practical steps include auditing current practices to identify barriers to participation, reviewing team composition and authorship to ensure historically excluded voices are represented, reading and applying existing data to guide decision-making, and starting small if the scope feels overwhelming. I believe that incremental changes still move the industry forward.
Most importantly, publishers should challenge themselves to move beyond comfort zones. Growth often comes from discomfort, and reassessing entrenched habits or assumptions is essential.
Source: What challenges have you seen with inclusivity and accessibility in publishing? How can publishers address these challenges?
Snow: One of the major challenges with inclusivity and accessibility in publishing is keeping pace with ever changing regulations and standards. Publishers often struggle with limited funding, shifting roles, and reduced organizational focus on equity initiatives. At times, efforts to advance inclusivity can even face resistance or external pressures that discourage progress.
These challenges should not deter the industry from its responsibility to foster respect and representation. Publishers can address them by investing in continuous education to stay current with accessibility requirements, securing sustainable funding and prioritizing exclusivity as a primary business value, embedding equity into organizational culture, and encouraging curiosity and openness toward diverse voices.
By reframing inclusivity as an opportunity for learning and innovation rather than a burden, publishers can overcome resource constraints and external pressures.
Source: How have attitudes toward diversity, inclusivity, and accessibility changed throughout your career?
Snow: I’ve been with ASCE for more than 20 years, and throughout that time the organization has consistently emphasized diversifying the workforce. In fact, ASCE has had a formal commitment to diversity for over 30 years and more recent guidelines on justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion.
On a broader scale, we’ve all witnessed significant shifts in attitudes toward inclusivity and accessibility in recent years following events like the murder of George Floyd, which brought attention and urgency to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion. Organizations across industries, whether authentically or performatively, issued public statements of support. Yet over time, many of those statements have disappeared, which highlights the challenge of sustaining commitment beyond moments of crisis.
The leaders who stand out are those who continue this work with consistency and courage. Great leaders recognize the value inclusivity brings to their organizations and industries, empower others to carry the work forward, and remain open to learning and evolving.
Source: What still needs to be done to advance inclusivity and accessibility among publishers?
Snow: Advancing inclusivity and accessibility in publishing is an ongoing commitment as there will always be more work to do, and it must remain a priority. At ASCE Publications and Standards, one of our immediate focuses is meeting the requirements of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act’s by the April 2026 deadline, by ensuring our web content is fully accessible. Like many publishers, we are working diligently to make information available to anyone and everyone who seeks it, regardless of ability.
Our efforts also extend globally. We continue to strengthen adherence to the European Accessibility Act and align with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines.
Accessibility isn’t only about compliance with these laws and guidelines; it’s about making inclusivity a lived, daily practice. For example, accessible formats such as audio, large print, and screen reader friendly PDFs make inclusivity tangible. We also partner with Research4Life to reduce the knowledge gap between high-income and low- and middle- income countries by providing access to critical civil engineering research in the ASCE Library.
Diverse teams and accessible platforms don’t just “check a box” – they spark creativity, expand readership, and open new markets. Publishers can go beyond their internal teams by building partnerships with underrepresented communities, listening to feedback, and co creating solutions.
Source: How has ASCE Publications and Standards embraced inclusivity and accessibility? How have inclusivity and accessibility improved ASCE Publications & Standards?
Snow: ASCE Publications and Standards has made significant strides in embracing inclusivity and accessibility. These priorities are embedded directly into our strategic plan, and my position was created specifically to advance this work. We also have a committee of staff volunteers that work on the initiatives mentioned.
Our entire division has integrated these values into team strategies, ensuring they are part of our daily operations. It’s not just about completing tasks; it’s about believing in the importance of this work and living it out intentionally.
We take a proactive approach by inviting feedback from our users. For example, we provide an online form where readers can report barriers to accessing online content, which ensures we are not making assumptions about user needs but listening directly to the community. Last year, we conducted a usability study of our site, ASCE Library, that included diverse audiences and abilities.
Inclusivity and accessibility have already improved ASCE publications and standards by making them more user friendly, equitable, and responsive to the needs of a broader audience. By working closely with vendors, colleagues, and other publishers, we stay aligned with evolving regulations and best practices.
Learn more about ASCE Publications & Standards diversity and accessibility initiatives.
Register for the Pathways to Inclusive Publishing Summit on Jan. 29, 2026.
