Disability Awareness In The Workplace

14.6 million people in the UK have a disability, which represents 22% of the population. The numbers combine both those that have visible and hidden/invisible disabilities.

Disability inclusion at work 

There are over 4.4 million disabled people in work and it’s more than likely that you work with or employ someone that has a disability. 

For those with disabilities, commuting to and from work can be difficult and ultimately a barrier. For example, for someone with a health condition like visual impairment or arthritis, what may seem like a straightforward journey can be significantly difficult with more time and effort needed. 

Offering flexibility at work means individuals living with disabilities can receive the necessary accommodations they need to stay in the workforce - for many, (this would mean being able to work from home). Disabled employees who require additional equipment can set up their workstations in a way that best suits their needs enabling them to be comfortable and be their best selves. 

Disability awareness at work 

With more awareness around disabilities comes better understanding and with the better understanding, we can create action to create a more accessible and equal world. Raising awareness around those who live with disabilities can help to support and transform the day-to-day lives of so many - things which non-disabled people may often take for granted such as access to buildings or other facilities.

Who are support dogs and what do they do?

Support Dogs are a UK charity dedicated to saving and improving the lives of children and adults with different medical conditions. They provide, train and support specialist assistance dogs to achieve this - and are sometimes able to train existing pets to support their owner. 

They specialise in three different areas, including:

• Autism for autistic children - dogs are trained to provide safety and reduce stress in social environments, transforming a child’s life with the hope that they will no longer require the support when they become an adult
• Seizure alert dogs for people with epilepsy - dogs are able to alert and potentially save a life up to 1 hour before an epileptic seizure occurs, enabling the owner to find safety and control their seizure. 
• Disability assistance dogs for people with physical disabilities - the client’s own pet dog can be trained to perform tasks tailored to their day-to-day needs, such as getting dressed, and providing greater safety and independence. 

How can companies help employees with disabilities in the workplace?

Offer flexible working 

Modify working arrangements 

Not all disabilities are physical, which should be taken into account to accommodate employees. For example, neurodivergent employees with conditions such as ADHD, dyslexia, and autism can find it difficult to be around bright lights and loud noise. Providing equipment such as noise-cancelling headphones or natural lighting in the office environment can help, alongside being given the choice to be able to work from home. 

It starts from the recruitment process

Ensuring from the offset that applications are truly accessible may include providing documents in large print, braille or easy-read versions - making sure all are compatible with screen readers. Actively think about what requirements are needed, such as wheelchair accessibility or hearing loops. 

Provide training to your team 

For some colleagues and managers, it might be daunting not knowing how to handle things, whether you’re saying the right thing, or making sure the right support is being given. This is where communication is vital, i.e as an employer you should be communicating to find out what support is needed, but also letting other team members know what they can do to help support.