Keeping great talent is a big part of building a successful organization. Think about how you can build a culture where employees and job applicants want to be part of your company.
Some keys to building an inclusive workplace:
- Encourage employees with disabilities to identify barriers in the workplace without fear of reprisal or dismissal;
- Allow employees to share suggestions confidentially or anonymously (this will increase disclosure and build disability confidence);
- Embed flexibility into people management;
- Offer a clear process for accommodation requests;
- Establish a return-to-work procedure – injury can occur at any point in a person’s life; and
- Support & Develop your Employees.
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Support and develop your employees
Like any employee, people with disabilities want to add value to the company, and continue to develop and improve their skill set.
You might want to consider providing training to both your employees with disabilities and to managers and staff.
- For employees with disabilities consider peer support programs, on-the-job training, job shadowing, and reimbursement of training courses.
- For managers, provide training on the benefits of recruitment, interviewing, workforce flexibility, and return-to-work strategies.
- For your customers, consider offering training to your staff on accessible customer service, and disability etiquette. This training can improve customer interactions and grow your business.
You cannot improve what you do not measure. Set annual goals, and commit resources and personnel to them.
Track your results. Celebrate and promote your successes.
Celebrate inclusion
Publicize your company’s commitment to inclusive hiring practices. Share success stories and use inclusive language and images in internal and external communications.
Celebrate international events and days that recognize and support people with disabilities.
- May 28 – June 3rd is National Accessibility Week
- October is recognized as DEAM, or the Disability Employment Awareness Month
- December 3 is recognized as the International Day of People with Disabilities (IDPD).
Encourage inclusion
- Develop a mentorship or internship program for high school students with a disability.
- Work with a local university or college to offer co-op opportunities to post-secondary students with disabilities.
These provide the dual benefit of creating opportunities for people with disabilities as well as building the comfort level of your staff in working with people with disabilities.
Join the movement. Address talent shortages by signing up below.
Join the conversation by following us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram and LinkedIn, use the hashtag @HireAbilityNow in your marketing mix and share your success.