{"id":8431,"date":"2021-07-22T16:54:02","date_gmt":"2021-07-22T20:54:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/?p=8431"},"modified":"2026-02-12T04:40:10","modified_gmt":"2026-02-12T09:40:10","slug":"how-to-support-disabled-employees-at-work","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/how-to-support-disabled-employees-at-work\/","title":{"rendered":"5 ways to effectively support employees with disabilities"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPeople & Leadership<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t5 ways to effectively support employees with disabilities\t\t\t\t\t<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\"Headshot\t\t\t\tCharlotte Penny<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

One billion<\/a> people in the world live with some form of disability but their value is often ignored by businesses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s the equivalent to disregarding a potential market the size of the US, Brazil, Indonesia, and Pakistan combined.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s absolutely vital to ensure you\u2019re actively recruiting and supporting employees with disabilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Employing people with disabilities means attracting more high-skilled candidates, increasing your talent pool, enhancing team performance, boosting productivity<\/a>, and becoming an employer of choice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, here are five things to consider in your organization to ensure you\u2019re truly supporting employees with disabilities in your workplace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Embed accessibility into every part of your recruitment process<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Being an accessible recruiter goes far beyond simply stating on job specs that you can adapt your interview processes to meet different candidates\u2019 needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A surprisingly large number of recruitment agencies aren\u2019t approachable or accessible for people with disabilities, so look beyond recruiters you may usually work with when searching for candidates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ensure application forms and job descriptions are truly accessible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This may include providing documents in large print, Braille or easy read versions. You should also make sure any online documents are compatible with screen readers<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Try and focus the job description on essential criteria, rather than preferred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Small factors may inadvertently discriminate by setting out things that aren\u2019t required in the role and deter some candidates with disabilities from applying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also use alternative methods to support candidates to help complete application forms, such as taster days or telephone interview.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Actively think about any participation needs people with disabilities might have on the day such as wheelchair accessibility, hearing loops, or computer access.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally, monitor the outcomes from the application process in order to review your own policies and ensure they\u2019re effective in recruiting people with disabilities, so you can adapt and evolve as needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Myth bust with managers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For some managers who may not have worked with someone, or knows someone in their personal life, with a disability, they could feel daunted by the idea of managing someone for the first time who has a disability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They may be concerned about saying the right thing or making sure they provide adequate support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Simply myth-busting can equip them with the confidence and knowledge needed to support employees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Myth:<\/strong> People with disabilities have a higher absentee rate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Truth:<\/strong> 90% of employers said they didn\u2019t think employees with disabilities were any more likely to take time off, according to a study by Reed and Disability Rights UK.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Explain to managers that they aren\u2019t expected to be experts and encourage them to have open conversations with employees with disabilities to determine what support is needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Really, in progressive People Companies<\/a>, managers should already be having conversations with each employee about what a great experience at work for them looks like, what support is needed, and what drives them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The same applies to all employees \u2013 regardless of whether or not they have a disability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Equip managers to have these conversations with confidence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Modify your working arrangements for employees with disabilities<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s important to remember that not all conditions are physical and take this into account when modifying your working conditions to accommodate all employees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Employees with neuro-divergent conditions such as ADHD, dyslexia, and autism can find bright lights, loud noise and heavy patterns on the walls difficult.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consider providing natural lighting, noise cancelling headphones, and a quiet room they can retreat to or allow them to work from home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Assistive technologies can be implemented such as screen readers to magnify the screen, voice recognition technology, hearing loop systems, or amplified phones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beyond adjusting your workplace, think about the most convenient way for workers with disabilities to travel to the office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is public transport accessible for them? If not, consider arranging transport or allowing them to work flexibly from home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are meeting clients externally, or arranging events at an external venue, always ask beforehand if the property is accessible for your employees with mobility issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This can avert embarrassment and give you time to seek another option.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is essential that employees feel comfortable asking for adjustments to be made, rather than staying silent and suffering at work or leaving altogether.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Remember, it is far costlier to replace an employee than it is to adapt your workplace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Provide unconscious bias training for all employees<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Employees without disabilities may often be unaware of the needs and support required for colleagues who may have a disability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By training employees on the difficulties people with disabilities might face at work, you can open their eyes to things they should be considering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, Fujitsu<\/a> uses webinars to show what a typical day for an employee with disabilities looks like.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The BBC uses virtual reality to demonstrate how difficult it is for someone with a neuro-divergent condition to concentrate when overwhelmed by sensory input.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Training can be ongoing and doesn\u2019t always have to be formal \u2013 it could be peer-led.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It should include also encouraging staff to refrain from saying and doing many things that people without disabilities seem to have adopted in a misguided bid to be helpful, such as telling a colleague with disabilities that they are being brave,<\/a> talking in \u2018baby talk\u2019, or helping someone without being asked to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Pay employees with disabilities equally<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This one should be obvious. However, in the U.S. workers with disabilities earn 66 cents for every dollar<\/a> earned by those without disabilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many people with disabilities are made to feel like they should be grateful to be given a job at all. This is immoral and demotivating for employees with disabilities, as well as inherently unfair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It goes without saying to treat all employees fairly and pay employees with disabilities equally. Your reputation as a diverse and inclusive employer, as a result, will also attract talent and create a much more collaborative and engaged workforce.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s about great experiences at work \u2013 for all employees<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As employers, it is your job to make sure you provide great experiences for all employees \u2013 and that of course includes employees with disabilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This isn\u2019t just about making sure offices are accessible, it\u2019s about knowing what\u2019s important to them and designing experiences that they not only need, but want, and as a result \u2013 enabling them to not just to work but to thrive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s the case for all employees in progressive People Companies<\/a> that truly understand the value of their greatest asset: their people. Whatever their needs are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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