Most disabled people acquire their disability during their working life. Ensuring your workplace can offer jobs for disabled adults should be a key part of your organisation’s commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.
Despite steady progress in society, disabled adults are still underrepresented in the workplace. Disabled adults should have equal opportunities to achieve their career goals. It is the responsibility of employers to ensure nobody is at a disadvantage because of their disability.
Careers with Disabilities have created some top tips for how to make work accessible for disabled adults.
Understanding Disabilities
It is important to understand that disabilities are incredibly broad. Under the Equality Act 2010, a disability is defined as a physical or mental condition that has a long term and substantial impact on a person’s ability to do daily tasks.
One of the biggest challenges we as a society must overcome is the common stereotype we have towards disabled people. The idea that disabilities are a tragedy that only affect a minority of the population is outdated and frankly, completely inaccurate. Employers can play a key role in raising the expectations of what disabled people can achieve. This includes equal representation of disabled people in the workforce.
Disability Confident Scheme
The Disability Confident Scheme is an initiative organised by the Department of Work and Pensions. The aim is to encourage employers to recruit, retain and develop disabled adults in the workplace.
There are three levels of the Disability Confident Scheme. At each level, employers receive information, guidance and support to help them progress with their journey to become disability friendly.
Reasonable Adjustments
Reasonable adjustments describe alterations that an employer introduces to support disabled employees in the workplace. Employers are legally required under the Equality Act 2010 to offer reasonable adjustments. These accommodations, which are often simple and inexpensive, are a great way to make accessible jobs for disabled adults. Moreover, the Government offers funding to support the implementation of adjustments. Examples of reasonable adjustments include:
- Flexible working, such as reduced or compressed hours
- Working from home
- Assistive technologies, such as alternative keyboards
- Physical workplace changes, such as wheelchair ramps
Careers with Disabilities
Careers with Disabilities can support your organisation to connect with disabled candidates. Inclusive recruitment is a key part of an organisation’s journey to create accessible jobs for disabled adults. Get in contact with our team to learn more about how our disability-friendly employer directory and jobs board can support your business.