How to Create a More Accessible Workplace
Accessibility involves removing any barriers that exist, to provide equal access and the workplace is no exception.
All employees should have equal access to the tools, tasks and the space required to perform their role. As an employer, you have the power to make positive adjustments to your workplace.
This week marks Disabled Access Day, which serves as a reminder for all of us to consider the impact that our surroundings may have on those who have a disability or have trouble gaining access to specific experiences or locations.
Accessibility involves removing any barriers that exist, to provide equal access and the workplace is no exception. All employees should have equal access to the tools, tasks and the space required to perform their role. As an employer, you have the power to make positive adjustments to your workplace.
We’ve put together some considerations to help you make your workplace more accessible.
Know the Law
All employers are morally and legally required to make sure that their workplaces are accessible, in a similar way to how we would expect public sector establishments such as shops, restaurants and cinemas to ensure that they anticipate the needs of disabled patrons.
The Equality Act emphasises the legal duty of employers to make “reasonable adjustments” in the workplace so that disabled people can carry out their daily workplace tasks to the appropriate standard.
Accessibility legislation is under continual review and all businesses are legally obliged to comply. If you continue to regularly assess your workplace and watch out for legislation updates, you will be in the best position to identify and act on any potential accessibility barriers in your business.
Review your Workplace Environment
Within the workplace there are several factors that can have a big impact on accessibility, including:
The layout or floorplan of a space or building
Lighting
Noise levels
Parking
Signage
Toilets
Stairs
Office furniture
Equipment
Reviewing your existing environment, with accessibly in mind, will provide a good starting point to make any changes. A quick and cost-effective adjustment could include, increasing the space between desks to allow for easier wheelchair access or to incorporate braille onto your workplace signage. One of the most common accessibility issues that wheelchair users face is being able to reach switches. Make sure that your light switches and air conditioning control panels are accessible to all.
Danton Health and Safety can provide “access audits” and risk assessments of your current environment, to provide recommendations on how to improve accessibility within your workplace. Find out more
Consider the use of Assistive Technology
Assistive technology can create dramatic improvements for people with hearing or visual difficulties. Some examples include:
Speech recognition software
Braille and/ or colour coded displays and keyboards
Assisted listening tools
Accessibility apps e.g. sign language
Providing access to even the most basic tools or equipment can help people to do their jobs and open up opportunities that may previously have been difficult to facilitate.
Make Special Equipment Available
If your employee requires it, specialist equipment must be made available. This can include:
Height adjusted desks
Specialist seating
Computer equipment
Investing in specialist equipment will help to accommodate disabled users, often at the touch of a button. Which can significantly improve their workplace experience and undoubtedly their productivity.
Train your People and Managers
Physical and technological modifications form part of the adjustments that can be made to ensuring that the workplace is more accessible. It is also important to ensure that you create a culture centred on inclusivity and equality. Your people need to be bought into and understand the decisions and processes you’re making. An obvious step would be to review your onboarding process and training, but it is equally important to provide up-to-date guidance and training on any modifications or processes.
Training that is tailored to the inclusivity and accessibility of your workplace, will provide a baseline for understanding and delivering on your policies.
The Business Learning Academy is part of the Danton Group and can develop training that focuses on your specific workplace needs and objectives to ensure that your workplace remains accessible for all. Find out more
Review your Policies
Training and education are essential, but it is also crucial to ensure that your Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility policies backup everything that you are communicating.
Update your employee handbook and review your procedures to include disability discrimination and a provision for accessibility. Offer training on any specialist tools or equipment and actively engage your people in discussions on how to make sure that your workplace is inclusive for all.
Danton HR can provide guidance on creating a policies and procedures that find a balance between meeting your legal requirements and support the culture of your organisation. Find out more.
Get your people involved in Disabled Access Day. Discuss the changes you’ve made to improve accessibility and include them in your strategy going forwards.
If you would like information or advice on any of the suggestions made in this article, contact Danton Group for further information.