Workplace accessibility ensures that all employees can contribute effectively and feel valued regardless of their abilities. Initially driven by legal requirements such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the focus of workplace accessibility has shifted towards creating environments that naturally accommodate diverse needs.
With nearly 15% of the global population experiencing some form of disability, companies that neglect accessibility risk missing out on valuable talent, insights, and innovation. Moreover, growing research suggests, such as in a study by the University of Pennsylvania, that inclusive workplaces enhance employee satisfaction, reduce turnover, and strengthen a company’s reputation.
As businesses increasingly appreciate the link between diversity and performance, prioritizing accessibility demonstrates a commitment to equity, social responsibility, and long-term success in a competitive market.
Companies can foster more inclusive workplaces by focusing on employee accommodations, enhancing productivity, and employee satisfaction. Today, we will explore the importance of workplace accessibility and provide actionable recommendations to help you create a more inclusive environment.
Accessibility Recommendations
1. Conduct Accessibility Audits
Regularly assessing your workplace to identify barriers hindering accessibility is crucial for continued success. This includes physical barriers like narrow doorways and digital barriers to inaccessible websites. Conducting accessibility audits helps you pinpoint areas that need improvement. At TalentAlly, our dedicated Customer Success Managers can help you identify and address these barriers to create a more welcoming environment for all employees.
2. Implement Flexible Work Arrangements
Offering remote work options and flexible schedules is a great way to ensure you’re supporting employees with disabilities and those with caregiving responsibilities. According to the National Library of Medicine, flexible work arrangements promote a better work-life balance, increase job satisfaction, and boost overall productivity. Don’t forget that the people you hire aren’t just “employees.” They’re individuals with complex lives, family dynamics, and responsibilities. Be cognizant of the challenges that could be preventing them from being their best selves at work to ensure you’re getting the most out of your employees. We recommend having regular check-ins with direct reports to get feedback and find opportunities for reasonable accommodations when warranted.
3. Provide Assistive Technologies
Investing in technologies that support employees with disabilities is essential. Screen reader tools like NV Access or voice recognition software like Dragon by Nuance are excellent options for supporting those with hearing or visual impairments on your website. Compared to other resources like Customer relationship management (CRM) systems, you don’t have to spend a ton of money to make a big difference here. According to a study by Job Accommodation, most accommodations cost less than $500, yet they significantly improve productivity. By providing assistive technologies, you empower employees to perform their best, regardless of physical limitations.
4. Foster an Inclusive Culture
Creating a supportive environment requires training employees and management on diversity and inclusion. Encourage open discussions about accessibility needs and provide channels for feedback. An inclusive culture not only benefits employees with disabilities but also enriches the entire organization by promoting understanding and collaboration. Check out our recent blog, Why Diversity in Hiring Is More Than Just a Trend, to learn more about how inclusive workplaces help set the stage for long-term business success.
5. Design Inclusive Recruitment Processes
Ensuring your hiring practices are accessible to all candidates is essential. This includes providing application materials in various formats and offering accommodations during interviews. Posting job advertisements on disability-friendly sites is another great way to maintain inclusivity throughout the hiring process. TalentAlly can help! Check out our designated career site for people with disabilities, abilitycareers.com, and the expansive partner network.
Another consideration is Blind Hiring. Blind hiring involves eliminating biases in the hiring process by removing personal information that could reveal an applicant’s identity. Aside from ensuring people aren’t getting defined by their disabilities, this can be a great way to prompt your hiring managers to remain focused on hiring for skills and not to fit some sort of quota. Regardless of how you go about it, your efforts here won’t go unnoticed and will help demonstrate your commitment to diversity to attract a wide range of talented individuals.
Building a Truly Accessible Workplace
Prioritizing workplace accessibility and employee accommodations enables businesses to create inclusive environments that benefit everyone.
The process is continuous and requires ongoing commitment and effort from all teams and departments to achieve optimal results. All opinions matter here! Your employees have a lot to say and can provide a lens into the downfalls of the hiring experience to know how to make things better. Remember, the goal is to identify opportunities for longstanding changes that are actually impactful and not just about adhering to legal requirements.
By conducting accessibility audits, implementing flexible work arrangements, providing assistive technologies, fostering an inclusive culture, and designing inclusive recruitment processes, you can create a workplace where everyone feels valued and empowered. Check out our career resources for more tips and best practices about building inclusive cultures and teams.
