Accessibility means making sure not only people with disabilities but everyone can access the workplace and every other facility equally. Ability is not only restricted to physical restraints and it goes beyond that. Globally, every 1 in 7 people has some form of disability. One can even acquire a disability in the later parts of life due to an accident, illness, tragedy, trauma, natural disaster, shock, or other innumerable reasons. This just tells us that disability is not as rare as it seems. Well, if you have not met as many people with disabilities, there may be certain barriers between them that keep them away.
People with disabilities are always treated differently. This makes them feel unfair and undeserving of whatever they get. Even at workplaces or any other places outdoors, instead of treating them differently, we must make sure they are treated equally and right. atWork Australia provides equal opportunity to people with disabilities and instead of treating them differently, they are treated based on the skills they possess and the value they create for themselves.
Importance of Accessibility and Accommodation for Disabled Workers
Developing accessibility and accommodation for everyone equally gives you the chance to work with people with different styles, attitudes, ideologies, and ways of working. As an employer, it opens the doors for you to access and retain astonishing talent that gets ignored because of some baseless physical deformity that you have no control over. When talking about accessibility, it’s not only limited to accessibility in the workplace, but convenience, structure, communication, technology, and accommodation.
Adapting to Changes
If you haven’t yet considered making changes and making your workplace disabled-friendly, then the idea of suddenly changing everything will put you and your whole office in a situation where you might find it difficult to steer your way out of. You will have no idea of how the reactions will be, and along with it, how to handle them as well. It is very important to fully equip and prepare yourself with a basic understanding of why the changes are necessary. Also, initially during the changes take place or even before that, this idea may seem like a drastic change but you can be worry-free about it and as it goes on, then you will realize it is not much of a change.
People with disabilities must never be looked down upon and always be given equal opportunity to put themselves in the front along with the rest of the workforce. They must be given the respect they deserve just like any other individual and their work should be appreciated and valued for what it is. Discrimination, gossiping, making them feel excluded, and undermining them upsets them and they lose confidence. Tolerance, accommodation, and friendly spirits must be the priority. Here are some proven ways that will help you bridge the gap as an employer and create a healthy workplace for the disabled and differently-abled people working in your office.
Equal Opportunity Policy
Set a guideline that has a stringent set of do’s and don’ts and makes sure every employee knows it, remembers every policy, and abides by them. It will act as a guideline and prevent any unruliness or biased behaviour with any of your employees.
Train your Staff
Your staff is the major part of your office and they will be the people who are going to interact the most with disabled people in your workplace. Make sure you train your staff to be sensitive but respectful of them. You can even partner up with any organization that trains people on how to make a safe space and treat differently-abled people the way they want to and make them feel understood and respected.
Create a Safe Working Environment
It is easier for people with disabilities to fall vulnerable and become prey to an unsafe or unfavourable working space. Create accessible places for people to move around, keep the aisles clear, and have ramps at the entrances for wheelchairs to get in with ease.
Conclusion
Creating an accessible workplace will have a long-term impact on your workplace. The changes will be hassle-free and require minimum planning. The only problem will be the attitude towards them. Taking care of them is the only thing that will require some patience and hard work but once done, there is nothing else you need to do to create a safe environment for disabled people.
