Becoming more disability aware as a workplace is becoming an increasing priority for many employers. In part this is due to a larger number of legislative practices that have come into play, but also due to increasing awareness of the impact of disability on many individuals, and how this can affect their working life.
If you’re interested in how to become more disability aware, here are four tips towards helping you to become a successfully inclusive employer.
- Know the Law
It is illegal to discriminate against an employee with any form of disability, so ensuring that you’re up to date with legislation will help you to avoid even accidental discrimination, and keep you clued up on your employees’ rights.
If you want to brush up on disability law, you can find everything you need to know on the UK government website. This will provide clear guidance for various pieces of legislation if you are unsure, and will allow you to check how your current company policies measure up to the legal small print.
- Ensure Your Business is Accessible
Physical accessibility is so key for many with a disability. Many offices or buildings with lots of stairs, and narrow hallways or doors can be very problematic for those with a wheelchair, scooter or walking aids. Many old and listed buildings can be difficult to alter, especially if you need to install a lift, so try to choose premises that can easily be altered or have been purpose built in partnership with modern laws to include accessibility.
If your building or office does include a large number of stairs, you can install a stairlift, or replace an existing one.
If you need to replace an old stairlift with a newer model, companies like We Buy Any Stairlift offer a removal and recycling service. They will carefully remove the previous stairlift to prevent any damage to your stairs and recycle or dispose of the parts.
- Educate Staff
Training and education is one of the most effective ways to support a disabled employee. If you need to offer educational training, many charities are an excellent source of information, and can send volunteers to host talks and formal training sessions.
For example, charities like Enhance the UK work to support employers who are seeking to make their workplace more inclusive for the disabled.
Not only will inclusion training help to educate your employees, but it will also aid in creating a culture of kindness and awareness that many will take forward into the future.
- Offer Flexible Working
Although this is generally a perk for all employees, flexible working can be incredibly useful for disabled employees, as it can help to manage conditions that involve fatigue, and can also be helpful for those with physical disabilities who may need extra time for commuting, or need to work around frequent medical appointments.
Flexible working can be an inclusive way to promote efficient working at a pace that suits your employees and is sympathetic to any needs that they might have. Tools like Google Workspace can aid employees in collaborating on projects both in the office and at home without any hassle.
Do you have any tips for helping your workplace to become more inclusive? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!