Creating a Warm Working Environment for People with Disabilities

As per a relatively new rule proposed by the U.S department of labour, if you are federal contractors or sub contractors, at least 7 percent of your workforce must comprise of qualified workers with disabilities.

Hiring people with disabilities in your organization is recommended not only to comply with the department’s proposed rule but also as a measure to bring about diversity and encourage empathy at the workplace. It also goes without saying that this will help your company to do its bit for the society and earn a certain amount of goodwill and respect in the market.

However, keep in mind that just hiring employees with disabilities is not enough. As federal contractors, there will be plenty of physical work that will be needed to be taken on involving long hours and vigorous and erratic schedules. It is important that you also take steps in creating a warm working environment for disabled employees such that they feel welcomed and respected.

1.      Make sure the workplace is more accessible by removing physical barriers and changing existing structures such that there is easy access for wheelchairs wherever needed.

2.      Re-organize workstations to ensure maximum comfort for disabled employees.

3.      Source hearing aids and input/output software that will help visually/hearing impaired employees work with computers better.

4.      Arrange for transport for the disabled employees such that they can be picked up and dropped to jobs or to the workplace. If expense is an issue, include it into their cost to the company but make sure you provide them this as an option.

5.      Hire an interpreter or expert at sign language, somebody who can assist the new visually or hearing impaired recruits.

6.      Instruct your regular employees to be patient with their disabled colleagues. Have strict rules in place about misbehavior towards employees with disabilities.

7.      Have workshops, seminars and special orientation programers for your disabled employees as they might need a little special attention and help from time to time.

Finally, remember that as federal contractors, there will be plenty of regulations you will need to adhere to, but this rule will give you an opportunity to do much more than just good work.