For all roles in a business, there is an expert best suited to it. Every worker has something great to contribute, and each one of them has requirements and needs you need to support, including those incapacitated or disabled.
Around 18% of the global population has a disability at the same time. Given how mental and physical disorders are, creating an inclusive workplace culture and accommodating disabled employees is an absolute must. If you have a business with disabled workers, here are ways of accommodating them:
- Look at the Doctor’s Note
As an employer, you need workers to present medical documentation from their physicians describing their limitations and disabilities.
If a worker’s documentation is not enough, you can visit any reliable doctor for a second opinion and validation.
- Show Support
It is important to demonstrate social and emotional support by establishing a supportive and caring environment.
You can also encourage other workers to provide more assistance with fundraisers, rides to appointments, childcare, and meals.
- Choose the Right Furniture
Everyone changes their workspace so as to suit their comfort and needs, and every individual knows that adjusting the height of their office chairs might have a great effect on productivity. For example, if an individual you employ is in a wheelchair, they may not require an office chair. Instead, they will require an ability to adjust their desk and computer monitor to the right height.
Alternatively, an individual with visual impairment or assistive cane might require a strong chair without wheels so as to allow them to sit comfortably. This can also help your new disabled workers carry out duties to the best of their capability.
- Establish Reasonable Adjustments
These adjustments encompass making developments for your employees to work safely. This may include installing ADA pads and using flexible working arrangements.
You may also make temporary or permanent adjustments, depending on what you find necessary. If you hire a new worker with a long-term disability, you will have to make permanent adjusts.
- Improve Work Policies
Although your business might have work policies for a good reason, you might need to take a closer look at how they affect disabled employees. For instance, you may have no-dog policies in the office, but allowing your workers to bring in their service animals may improve roles in your business and empower them to feel comfortable.
Another way to improve your policies is to allow additional breaks for workers who can’t possibly sit for long hours or let employees with diabetes carry food at their workplace.
- Pay Disabled Workers Equally
It is unfortunate that some businesses make disabled individuals feel like they need to be thankful for their jobs. This is inherently unfair, immoral, and discouraging for disabled workers.
It is always important to pay your workers equally and treat them fairly. As a result of this, your reputation as an inclusive and diverse employer might create a more engaged and collaborative workforce while attracting talent.
The Bottom Line!
Even top-notch HR experts find it challenging to get reasonable accommodations from disabled workers. This becomes even trickier when workers require a leave of absence due to the intersection of the law.
Accommodating disabilities all start with the individual. However, it doesn’t have to be complex. Simple things like paying workers equally, making a few adjustments, and changing work policies will do you wonders.
