A Guide: How to create a disability-friendly work environment

A happy workplace means a productive workplace. It is an employer’s responsibility to ensure the workplace is a safe, friendly and comfortable environment for staff to work in – and this also applies to employees who have disabilities. Unfortunately, many business sites are not disability-friendly, leaving many people with disabilities unemployed.

There are around 11.9 million disabled people living in the UK. Only 46.4% of working-age disabled people are in employment, compared to 84% of non-disabled people. The main barriers for employment for disabled people are difficulty with transport (29%) and lack of job opportunities (43%). However, as an employer you can implement systems into the workplace to overcome some of the barriers those with disabilities might face.

With the help of Badgemaster, supplier of braille and tactile signs and button badges, this piece discusses how you can create a disability-friendly workplace.

Essential training

Unfortunately, a lot of workplaces aren’t designed for people with disabilities – so it’s important that you educate yourself and your employees with the challenges that a disabled employee might face on a day to day basis. Both you and your staff need to behave sensitively and with awareness. A disabled colleague is likely to face daily challenges which others may have never experienced.

Educating the workplace prevents discrimination. Giving exposure of the wide spectrum of challenges individuals can face will allow colleagues to better understand their needs.

Provide suitable training for key staff members can also be a big help. They may need to be aware of any special requirements or in some cases, they may need to learn how to provide assistance in specific circumstances.

Assistive equipment & Assistive technology

A level of engagement with technology is required for most jobs, whether it’s a computer, tablet or special machinery. There is no reason why disabled individuals can’t carry out the same role with assistive technology, if required. This simply supports them in the workplace and caters to their needs. It’s an employer’s responsibility to break down the barriers and provide a comfortable environment for disabled employees to work in.

 Papworth Trust carried out a study which suggests 53% of working-age adults with impairments experienced barriers to work compared with 30% of adults without impairments. Implementing assistive technologies in the workplace, breaks through the barriers for the impaired. For instance, the visually impaired will require braille keyboards and phones, with screen readers and listening devices. With a little help from assistive technologies, there is no reason why the visually impaired can’t do the same role as their fellow colleagues.

Facilities & Access

Every workplace should be easily accessible for all disabilities. First, you should provide disabled parking for employees who require it – this includes parking that is close to the entrance of the building and access ramps instead of stairs. Elevators may be required internally for buildings with multiple floors.

Braille signs are essential for the visually impaired and they are a small fix you can apply to your business to support the impaired around the workplace. The same goes for sign language support, mobility and even first aiders who have sufficient training in dealing with potential incidents. Having the correct support framework in place helps to create a safe, friendly and comfortable workplace.

These small changes can also help your customers– making your premises disability-friendly encourages those with an impairment to visit you because they won’t face barriers when using your services. The main reasons disabled customers tend to switch a competitor is down to inaccessible premises, lack of communication with the disabled and inaccessible websites and telephone systems.

By making your work premises disability-friendly, you are offering more opportunities to the impaired, providing them with a comfortable and safe workplace. Some work place changes are essential to the success of your business. Be considerate of the impaired and be a part of the percentage of businesses offering work opportunities to help disabled people become employed. 

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Created on Sep 25th 2019 05:03. Viewed 512 times.

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