National Disability Employment Awareness Month: Championing Inclusivity in the Workplace
Oh, how time flies! Another year has whizzed past us, and we find ourselves approaching the end of October already!
It's spooky season, the peak of fall, but how many of us are aware that this month also marks National Disability Employment Awareness Month?
If you find yourselves wondering why it’s crucial to dedicate a whole month to this cause, we’ll tell you why!
Unfortunately, we still live in a world where people with disabilities face discrimination when it comes to employment and at the workplace, regardless of their qualifications.
It is up to employers to ensure that they make their employees and prospective hires with disabilities feel seen, heard, and valued, every single day.
How can employers make this a reality? Stick around and we’ll tell you how!
State of affairs: Are employers doing enough to ensure disability inclusion?
Were you aware that 16% of the world’s population (1 in 6 people), experience significant disability, with the majority belonging to the working age group?
That’s a huge chunk of the workforce, and it’s too significant of a figure to ignore.
What many organizations don’t understand is the fact that this section of the population represents a gold mine of skilled yet untapped talent!
Yet, according to recent studies, people with disabilities are almost twice as likely to remain unemployed as opposed to non-disabled people!
Furthermore, among the ones that are employed, nearly half of them report being in entry-level positions, as per a LinkedIn study.
Evidently, the system is flawed. It’s imperative to ask at this point - why is there a gap?
To begin with - the hiring process is flawed and biased against people with disabilities.
25% of people with disabilities surveyed said that discrimination against them poses a great challenge in the interview and hiring process.
Additionally, preconceived notions and low expectations by organizations pertaining to the capabilities of persons with disabilities can be held accountable for this state of affairs.
Plus, the lack of disability-friendly amenities during the hiring process and at the workplace are major contributing factors.
But hey, it's not all bleak... The situation is slowly but surely improving!
In the U.S., employment rates for working-age disabled women and men hit a record high in the year 2023 - 36.1 % and 38.2%, respectively!
This indicates that organizations are becoming more and more welcoming and accommodating to ensure a disability-friendly environment.
It is also a sign that they are now beginning to recognize the benefits of hiring persons with disabilities.
Let’s explore these benefits in the section below!
A win-win situation: Benefits of disability inclusion for employers
The earlier employers realize this, the better - contrary to common misconceptions about the capabilities of disabled individuals, hiring them can significantly contribute to organizational success in multiple ways!
From access to a wider and more diverse talent pool to boosting your employer brand, let’s dissect the benefits of hiring individuals with disabilities:
1. Accessing an untapped talent pool of highly skilled individuals:
This highly skilled talent pool is often overlooked due to prejudice and hiring bias.
Equipped with qualifications equal to their counterparts, individuals with disabilities can be the key to finding the ideal candidate that hiring teams dream of.
Furthermore, tapping into this candidate pool gives your organization a competitive edge as there is relatively less competition for these candidates, making it easier to attract them.
2. Building a diverse workforce:
Hiring individuals with disabilities will help you meet your DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) goals while improving the company culture.
This diversity brings varied, dynamic, and fresh perspectives, ideas and experiences, enriching your workforce, thereby contributing to your company’s overall success.
3. Boosting your employer brand:
A study revealed that half of the working professionals say it’s extremely or very important to work at a place accessible for people with physical disabilities.
This indicates that potential candidates are attracted to workplaces that prioritize diversity and inclusivity.
Therefore, by employing individuals with disabilities, your organization can become a sought-after destination for top talent.
4. Increasing retention rates:
Individuals with disabilities tend to stay loyal to one organization, as their options are relatively limited, particularly when it comes to job opportunities, workplace amenities, and policies in their favor.
This loyalty helps companies decrease attrition rates and save costs associated with constant rehiring and training.
Notes for employers: Building accessible and supportive workplaces
Employers, to truly celebrate your employees with disabilities every day and ensure you’re playing your part, we propose the following ways to build an accessible and supportive workplace:
1. Hire the right way
It all starts with the hiring process. Hire with intention and sincerity, not just to check a box.
It's your responsibility to ensure the hiring process is seamless, convenient, and accessible for candidates with disabilities, just as it is for all candidates.
Make sure to:
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2. Make provisions for disabled employees
This is a no-brainer! Ensure your workplace is equipped with necessary amenities that meet the basic requirements of the employees with disabilities.
This includes providing ramps, separate washrooms, accessible workstations, and other accommodations to cater to them.
This will foster employee satisfaction and create a work environment that’s conducive for everyone.
3. Formulate and review policies
It’s crucial to prioritize the practice of formulating, reviewing, and implementing policies related to employees with disabilities.
Set clear and concrete goals and build unambiguous and fair strategies and policies around those goals.
Consult the disabled employees to gather their feedback, ensuring your policies are reflective of their needs.
Some non-negotiable policies include - zero tolerance for workplace discrimination and equal access to career advancement opportunities, among others.
4. Train and educate employees
Creating a truly inclusive environment means continuously training managers, supervisors, and employees on sensitivity and awareness.
A few acts or words of ignorance or insensitivity can significantly harm the work environment, disrupting the workplace harmony.
Conduct regular sessions and workshops and educate the workforce on relevant and important topics.
An example for the same could be a session on visible and invisible disabilities (visible or apparent disabilities as opposed to hidden or not so obvious disabilities, both equally challenging.).
5. Offer flexibility
The advent of remote work has been a game-changer for individuals with disabilities, especially those who face significant challenges commuting or accessing workplaces that may not fully accommodate their needs.
By offering flexible or remote work options, you are providing more opportunities for people with disabilities to join and thrive in your workforce.
6. Empower your employees with disabilities
Once you get your hands on these talented individuals, you must invest in their growth by empowering them with upskilling opportunities.
Offer and sponsor training programs, mentoring, and career development initiatives to help them stay up to date with industry trends.
This not only transforms them into great assets for your organization but also provides growth opportunities they may have been denied at other places.
Final thoughts
In the spirit of this year's theme for National Disability Employment Awareness Month, “Access to good jobs for all”, we hope employers take active measures to ensure a fair and just working environment.
It’s crucial to provide and facilitate opportunities in a way that permits all individuals to have equal access to their dream jobs and roles.
Therefore, disabilities should never limit one’s potential, as they do not determine one’s ability to thrive and succeed in a workplace setting!
Thank you for reading!
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Zappyhire is an AI-powered recruitment automation platform with a built-in ATS, designed for mid-sized companies to large enterprises, with tens of thousands of users around the globe.
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