Accessible Built Environment Award: Lilly

WINNER: Lilly

About Lilly

Lilly is a medicine company turning science into healing to make life better for people around the world. They’ve been pioneering life-changing discoveries for nearly 150 years, and their medicines help tens of millions of people across the globe. Harnessing the power of biotechnology, chemistry and genetic medicine, their scientists are advancing new discoveries to solve some of the world’s most significant health challenges. 

Issue

Access Lilly was introduced to break down barriers and build a workplace where everyone feels included. This meant that digital accessibility had to complement physical improvements, including improving their wayfinding solutions and safety issues. 

What they did

A new dedicated workstream was created to focus on IT tools that support accessibility. This included standardised web-based assessments so teams across Lilly’s global sites could evaluate accessibility in a consistent, data-driven way. 

A big area of innovation was improving orientation and navigation. They applied the RightHear beacon system across their major buildings at the Corporate Centre, giving visually impaired employees and visitors audio guidance on key points of interest and helping them move confidently from one beacon to the next. They also added hearing aids and induction loops into facilities where they would have the greatest impact. Physical adaptations have included redesigned reception desks to allow for interactions at different levels, corporate signage, and flexible food counters.  

On top of that, they reviewed evacuation routes and procedures to make sure emergency plans put accessibility first, ensuring everyone can evacuate safely and quickly. 

Impact

Lilly implemented multiple channels, from QR codes and dedicated mailboxes to internal platforms, to gather feedback straight from employees.  

The changes have been particularly noticeable at their Corporate Centre, where more than 10,000 employees experience the improvements every day.  

This $25m initiative includes:

• 78 elevators retrofitted, including look and feel and annunciation 
• 24 stairs with improved contrast 
• 33 adjustable height podiums 
• 9 improved ramps 
• 6 reception desks adapted and equipped with induction loops 
• 2400+ signs changed, with more contrast and including braille 
• 148 automated doors installed 
• 321 retrofitted restrooms 
• 11 new single-use restrooms constructed 

The Facilities Workstream has also earned internal recognition, being awarded the prestigious Inclusion Award for Access Lilly. This award recognises Lilly’s commitment to making the workplace better and more accessible for everyone. One visually impaired employee summed up the impact of the changes perfectly after new flooring was installed: 

“You made the stairs appear—you made magic happen!” 

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