As an employer, part of your responsibility is providing your team with the means and the tools to fulfil their roles. This includes employees with disabilities, for whom there might be a few barriers to the good work that they could otherwise get done. Whether you want to ensure that your business is staying compliant with employment law or simply to help get the best out of your team, it’s important to seriously consider your approach to accessibility.
Policy And Culture Are the Foundation
A good approach to accessibility starts with a culture that values inclusion, which is reinforced by strong policies. It should be embedded in the way that you run the business, acknowledging the specific issues faced by employees with disabilities, and what steps you can take to ensure they’re supported and able to work as independently as possible. Without these policies, it’s easy for you to fall short of making an accessible environment, even with the right investments in place. The right culture and policies show your employees true care and consideration.
Physical Accessibility to and in the Workplace
Consider the mobility needs of your team, and what you can do to help them move through the workplace safely and independently. This can include putting wheelchair ramps in place, using automatic doors that don’t require manual control, implementing wider doorways, and investing in accessible bathrooms. These all aim to remove unnecessary barriers for people who face mobility challenges. Consider accessibility not just in the individual workspaces of your employees, but also in shared areas such as break spaces, meeting rooms, and especially with emergency exits. Regular audits can help you spot the issues you need to work on addressing next.
Consider Transportation Needs, Too
The accessibility modifications you make inside the workplace might not be as effective if your employees have a hard time reaching them. Parking access is one of the most crucial elements of an inclusive workplace. Ensure that you designate accessible parking spaces as close to building entrances as possible, marking them so that they’re not taken by those without a need for them. If you’re in an urban setting, you might also want to consider public transportation options for employees who may not be able to drive as easily, and what help you can offer to make them accessible.
Offer Workstation Adjustment
If you want to ensure that your team is able to work as comfortably and productively as possible, then you should consider their workstations, as well. You can include adjustments like height-variable desks, more ergonomic seating, as well as alternative keyboards for those who might be slower on traditional models. Talk with employees about their needs, and ensure that they have an open, respectful, and discreet process for requesting and implementing workstation accommodations without too much delay. A well-designed workstation enables employees to focus on performance rather than physical limitations.
Accessibility isn’t just about making sure that you’re not inadvertently discriminating against your employees; it’s about building a business that’s better able to maximize the potential of all who work in it.
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