How Businesses Can Support Disabled Workers in Columbus, OH More Effectively
Running a business can be a complicated
venture, no matter the size of the company. There are a thousand tasks that
have to be completed, and the responsibility for completing them often falls on
your shoulders. Plus, the way consumers relate to brands is constantly
changing.
In today’s business world, inclusion and
equality are important principles. Not only can diversity enrich the culture of
a company, but it also appeals to consumers that want to see that the brands
they care about are promoting strong values.
One group that has often encountered
challenges operating in the business world is the disabled population.
Individuals who are dealing with visual/hearing impairments, a lack of
mobility, neural/cognitive issues, or speech challenges are often left behind
by employers. Even those that are hired may be subject to a less-than-ideal
work situation due to a lack of accommodations. If you want your Columbus, OH,
business to support individuals with disabilities in the workplace more
effectively, here are a few ideas.
Invest in High-Quality
Disability Insurance
Not all disabilities are present from the
outset. Some may result due to severe injuries or illnesses. In these cases,
many disabled workers rely on insurance payments for the time that they are out
of work. However, insurance companies often delay payments or try to stiff
victims with lower amounts than they deserve. This leaves many with few options
to stay afloat, often resorting to working with an ERISA disability lawyer to rectify the
situation. Investing in stronger disability insurance with a reliable carrier
can help reduce the chances that your workers encounter issues with payments
when they have to miss work, which creates a more inclusive environment within
your company.
Incorporate the Latest
Technologies
Individuals with disabilities may be
facing a wide range of challenges in the workplace. Perhaps they are unable to
contribute to meetings because they cannot experience a presentation fully, or
they have to take frequent breaks from typing because of a physical impairment.
New technologies can support employment opportunities for
disabled individuals if your organization is willing to adopt them.
For example, ergonomic keyboards and mouses can make computer work much easier
for physically disabled workers. Hearing and visual aids can make presentations
accessible for all. Even mobility aids like scooters, wheelchairs, or canes can
make life a little bit easier in the workplace.
Provide Company Training on
Disability Etiquette
Even if you provide work opportunities
and accessibility technologies to individuals with disabilities at your company
in Columbus, OH, this does not guarantee an equal environment for them. The
rest of your staff needs to be on board with the company values as well.
Providing internal training for all your employees to discuss disability
etiquette and inform them about any biases that may be present can help make
the whole team more welcoming. The key is to focus on what your workers can do
versus what they cannot do. They should be treated the same way as everyone
else o the team, just with some extra accommodations in place to make their
work experience easier.
Gather Employee Input
Even if you have a disability yourself,
you do not understand the experiences of others with varying disabilities. The
best way to learn how to support these workers is to hear from them. Set up
systems in the organization to listen to feedback from these individuals about
how their work experiences are set. Could improvements be made to accessibility?
Do they feel that they are at a disadvantage because of the company structure
in some way? Could communication be improved with disabled workers? If your
goal is to accommodate disabled individuals, then you need to hear directly
from them about how to improve as an organization.
Create an Accessible Hiring
Process
The first step to creating an inclusive
environment for disabled individuals is to make sure they are part of the team.
This means bringing them in for their talent. Make sure job descriptions
feature inclusive language. Include a statement about encouraging workers with
disabilities to apply. Make online documents compatible with screen reading
programs. Post job opportunities in places where disabled individuals can
interact with them. A more accessible recruitment process will lead to more
talented individuals applying to your open positions.
Be Proactive Rather Than
Reactive
Many Columbus-based companies in the past
and even today have taken a reactive approach to accommodating persons with
disabilities. They wait for an issue to arise and then address it. However,
this is not the most effective way to attract talented individuals to your
company. Proactively improving your brand from within in terms of accessibility
and welcoming culture is a far more effective strategy for creating an
inclusive company that can support workers with disabilities. Take some of the
steps listed above to foster a positive environment for all workers.