People with a disability are significantly underrepresented in the workforce. For those with a disability, employment offers more than just opportunity. It provides financial independence, improves their mental health, and assists in building meaningful relationships in the workplace.
Accessibility in the workplace signifies that your business is open to all types of consumers and staff. For businesses across Australia, promoting inclusion is slowly becoming the norm, as companies work daily towards equal opportunity and preventing discrimination.
Therefore, removing tangible and intangible barriers from a work environment is a must—it doesn’t matter who ‘can’t,’ an accessible organisation focuses on ensuring everyone ‘can.’
The Australian workplace is improving inclusivity by allowing physical movement free from obstruction to equal access to services in a non-tangible sense. Access Link is incredibly proud to see and assist businesses across the country in participating in a more inclusive workplace.
What is a disability in the context of a workplace?
For some, engaging in the workplace can be difficult. A fundamental landmark in diversity and inclusion in the workplace is the Disability Discrimination Act 1992, which outlines that people with a disability are entitled to equal work opportunities in an environment that is accessible and inclusive to all.
However, it is crucial to note that not all disabilities are visible.
An invisible disability is not immediately noticeable and refers to a spectrum of primarily neurological challenges. Examples of these are (not limited to):
- ADHD
- Anxiety Disorders
- Autism
- Depression
- Epilepsy
- Personality Disorders
- Schizophrenia
Access Link’s top 3 accessibility requirements for the workplace
As a business, the end goal is to be accessible by all. For Access Link Consulting, the concept of design-for-all is not only limited to the building itself but all aspects of the work environment. Below are our top 3 accessibility requirements for Australian businesses:
- Inclusive Building Design
All stakeholders should be able to participate in the work culture, feel safe and thrive.
As a starting point, the physical accessibility of a workplace must be assessed. A business can make modifications to ensure an accessible organisation. Minor actions can include rearranging furniture to allow wheelchair access, installing a ramp, etc., which are a great starting point without having to change the building structurally.
Careful planning and intentional design are crucial in pursuing an inclusive workplace. When designing an inclusive workplace, you must cater to the diverse range of people in a working environment. Individual differences must be valued, welcomed and accepted—segregation must be avoided at all costs, with a design that provides unrestricted access to all, including accessways, ramps, accessible toilets, adjustable lighting, furniture, doorways and doors, and more.
Developing a Disability Action Plan is an incredible way for Australian businesses to ensure that ‘goods, services, premises and facilities are accessible and non-discriminatory to people with disability.’
- Web and Digital Access
While tangible inclusions are crucial, web and digital accessibility bridge the disability divide and improve employees’ ability to thrive in the workplace. If implemented correctly, technology can provide limitless opportunities for all individuals, irrespective of physical, motor, cognitive, auditory skills or disabilities.
Post-pandemic has allowed more workers to go remote and flexible working has become the new norm. As a business, it is crucial that you bring about this change and allow for qualified employees, irrespective of ability, to thrive.
There are also legal obligations tied to accessibility for organisations in Australia, which include:
To learn more on web and digital access in the workplace, read more here.
- Training for Inclusion
Inclusion training means educating staff on accepting and appreciating different abilities, backgrounds, nationalities, religions, and more. Businesses must deliver engaging, informative and highly relevant information to foster a culture of openness and create an environment where all employees succeed. Inclusion training can include a focus on:
- Information on different types of disabilities, both visible and invisible, including stereotypes and misconceptions
- The rights of people with disabilities
- Communication techniques and strategies to assist in confidently working with people with a disability
- Teaching the importance of a safe, encouraging, judgement-free working environment
More specifically, training staff to be inclusive of those with a disability can help Australian businesses welcome disabilities into all aspects of their business, helping people and teams be more inclusive and avoiding discrimination or conflict. This promotes equality of opportunity and embraces diversity. Here are a few ways inclusion training can assist accessibility in the workplace:
- Teaching communication skills to better interact with those with a disability
- Avoid unintentional biases
- Promote value systems and sensitivity
- Educate about invisible disabilities
Training for inclusion is not only beneficial for those without disabilities. For those with a disability, having ideas supported, feeling ‘included’, gaining professional development, having physical access, and more can help their professional growth. This gives companies access to an enormous talent pool—limitless options.
Studies show that employing people with disabilities could increase productivity and decrease staff turnover over a period of time. However, this can only be achieved in workplaces that are accessible by all.
You can engage our professional team to review the accessibility of your premises and receive expert advice about design, including compliance with the law. Let Access Link help aid diversity and inclusion in your workplace.
Let’s contribute to a more inclusive Australia—together.
Read part 1 of our 3 part series on Accessibility in Australian Schools.
information?
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