Finding A Disability Friendly Workplace In 2023: 6 Strategies You Need To Know

In the words of the writer Annie Dillard: “How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives”. And considering the average person spends 90,000 hours at work in their lifetime, finding the right employer is crucial. The right employer and work culture will ensure you continue to develop, advance, and maintain your mental health. On the other hand, an uninclusive workplace can lead to burnout, stress, and a lack of motivation. For workers living with disabilities, finding a disability-friendly workplace is even more vital. Not only will an inclusive employer provide a supportive and nurturing environment, but they will offer necessary accommodations to help you thrive at work. 

This guide offers six strategies for finding a disability-friendly employer in 2023. 

6 Tips For Finding A Disability-Friendly Workplace In 2023

Despite strict rules and regulations around discrimination in the UK, not all employers are made equal. So, follow these six tips for finding a disability-friendly workplace.

1. Research company policies and practices

The first step in finding a disability friendly workplace is to do your homework. This means researching company policies and practices centred around disability inclusion. Start by reviewing the employer’s website, social media pages, job descriptions, and any employer branding material you can get your hands on.

Next, look on sites like Glassdoor for employee reviews. These reviews can offer valuable insight into the culture and level of inclusion the company provides.

If you can’t find what you’re looking for, don’t be afraid to reach out to the employer directly with any questions or concerns. That way, the company can give you a better idea of what other inclusive measures it has in place, such as assistive technologies, disabled parking, or alternative interview formats. 

During this research stage, it’s also important to understand your rights as a disabled employee under the UK 2010 Equality Act. That way, you have a clear idea of what you can expect from an employer and what is up to their discretion.

2. Network with disabled professionals

Our next piece advice for finding disability-friendly employers is to network, network, network. Connecting with disabled professionals in your industry and beyond enables you to get insight into their experiences with disability-friendly workplace. Utilise their knowledge and experience and ask for recommendations for companies that prioritise inclusivity and accessibility.

If you’re new to networking, the key is to just go for it. A lot of people feel awkward and unnatural their first few times networking. But, it’s a skill that you can hone over time. To ease your nerves, start with something small, like joining an online community or following disabled professionals on LinkedIn. Then, as you build your confidence, keep an eye out for networking events and professional organisations you can join to build new professional connections.

3. Search for employers with strong diversity and inclusion initiatives

The next step is to dig a little deeper and actively search for companies that prioritise diversity and inclusion in their mission statements. This type of employer is more likely to foster an inclusive and accessible workplace for people with disabilities.

In particular, focus on information regarding accommodations and reasonable adjustments, accessibility, employee resource groups, disability-awareness training, and other support initiatives the company has in place for employees with disabilities.

Pay attention to companies that have developed specific initiatives to attract, retain, and support disabled employees. This is a green flag and a great indicator of how accommodating the company will be to your needs.

4. Assess physical accessibility

While the culture and attitude of an employer plays a huge role, you’ll also need to consider physical accessibility in the workplace. Once you have narrowed down a few potential employers, the next step is to access accessibility features like ramps, lifts, parking spaces, modified bathrooms, wide doorways, braille signage, and any other assistive technologies. 

The best way to assess this to request a visit or virtual tour. Inclusive employers will not mind this and will likely applaud your thorough research. If you find that the facilities are lacking despite the employer touting themselves as an inclusive and accessible employer, this could be a red flag.

5. Ask questions during the interview process

Remember, the interview process isn’t just for the employer to vet you as a job seeker. It’s also an opportunity for you to ensure that this is the right company for you. As such, make sure you take advantage of the interview process to ask questions about the company’s commitment to disability inclusion.

Before the interview, compile some questions about accessibility measures, support systems, accommodation processes, and training and support. You’ll learn a lot about the company based on these answers and its willingness to discuss these topics with you.

Bonus read: How to succeed in an interview

6. Work with disability employment services

One of the best hacks for finding inclusive employers is to work with disability employment services and resources, such as Careers With Disabilities.

We partner with the leading disability-confident employers in the UK to connect top talent with the right company. Our disability-friendly job board is packed with the latest and best career opportunities across the UK, so you can land your dream job.

In addition, our resource hub has guides on everything from disclosing your disability to optimising your CV.

Finding A Disability Friendly Workplace: How We Can Help

We hope these tips help you on your search for a disability-friendly workplace in 2023. For more resources and advice, take a look at our job-seekers’ resource hub. And be sure to check out our disability-friendly job board for the latest career opportunities near you. 

Are you an employer looking to become more inclusive and disability confident? Our resource hub is packed with support and guidance on everything from supporting employees to job ad inclusivity screening.

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