• Hiring disabled individuals can bring a unique business perspective, improving morale and retention rates.
• Inclusive job descriptions and office features attract more disabled applicants.
• Providing reasonable accommodations ensures they can perform their job efficiently.
• Doing this helps businesses tap into talented people while meeting legal requirements.
The number of disabled people in the world is growing ever higher. Over a billion people are estimated to live with a physical or mental disability. Unfortunately, they too often cannot access the same opportunities as their able-bodied peers. But they still have a huge potential in any workforce. Here’s what you need to know about hiring disabled individuals into your company.
Benefits of Hiring Disabled Individuals
As a business owner, hiring the right employees is key to ensuring your business thrives. But what many people overlook is the importance of hiring disabled employees. Hiring disabled employees can be hugely beneficial for any kind of business, big or small, and here are four reasons why.
Bringing a Fresh Perspective to Your Business
Hiring disabled employees can bring a new perspective to your business that would likely not exist without their presence. Disabled individuals tend to have different experiences in life than those who are not disabled and may think about problems and solutions differently than non-disabled individuals. This can hugely benefit businesses looking to tap into unique ideas and perspectives that could help them innovate and grow.
Improving Employee Retention Rates
Hiring disabled workers also has the potential to improve employee retention rates within your organization. Studies have shown that when businesses try to hire diverse teams, the overall morale increases among all team members and their commitment to staying with the company for longer periods. This is because creating an inclusive work environment where everyone feels like they belong leads to improved job satisfaction and retention rates.
Attracting New Talent
Hiring disabled workers can also help you attract new talent from a larger pool of potential candidates. When potential candidates see that your company is open-minded and willing to hire people with disabilities, they will be more likely to apply, even if they don’t necessarily fit the mold of what other businesses are looking for in terms of traditional qualifications. Doing this will open you up to a larger pool of talented individuals who may not have applied otherwise due to feeling “unqualified” or “not good enough” for certain positions at other companies.
Meeting Compliance Obligations
Depending on where you live, there may be legal requirements or obligations set by government agencies mandating that employers hire a certain percentage of disabled workers each year or face penalties such as fines or other sanctions. By hiring disabled workers now before you are legally obligated to do so later, you will save yourself time and money in the long run while ensuring compliance with all relevant requirements and regulations set forth by local governments.
How to Attract These Kinds of Individuals
Now that you know the benefits of hiring disabled employees, it’s time to start thinking about attracting these individuals and making them feel like they belong in your workplace. Here are some tips:
Disabled-Friendly Office Features
First, you need to make your office-friendly to disabled individuals. If your office has a second floor, consider installing lift chairs for them. Plenty of lift chairs are for sale online, so you can find one to fit your budget. You can also ensure that all office areas are wheelchair-accessible, including conference rooms and restrooms.
Inclusive Job Descriptions
When you’re advertising a job opening, make sure to include language that is inclusive of disabled individuals. This includes “disabled applicants are welcome” or “reasonable accommodations available.” Doing this will help attract more individuals with disabilities to apply for your openings.
Provide Reasonable Accommodations
If you do hire a disabled individual, make sure they have the reasonable accommodations they need to do their job effectively and efficiently. This could include sign language interpreters, adjustable workstations, or assistive technology.
Culture
Lastly, you must create an inclusive and supportive culture in your workplace. Ensure that all employees understand the importance of diversity and that everyone is treated with respect, regardless of their disability status. This will help create a safe and welcoming environment for disabled individuals to thrive.
By following these tips, you can ensure your business is open and welcoming to disabled individuals and create an inclusive workplace. Doing this will help you access talented people who can bring a fresh perspective and insights to your team while meeting any legal requirements or obligations set forth by local governments.
