How to Deal with People with Disabilities at Work with Sensitivity

July 2021 equal opportunity employment journal Page 11 How to Deal with People with Disabilities at Work with Sensitivity

by Kaizen Marketing

Businesses and employers are taking positive steps to encourage disabled workers to join them in the workplace. Workers with disabilities have as much to offer as everyone else. Most countries have laws which mean employers must make reasonable efforts to adapt the workplace to the needs of disabled staff. In addition to the obligations of employers, co-workers of disabled people have a responsibility to provide a supportive working environment.

Many people aren’t used to being around disabled people, and they may be unsure how to deal with them. Non visible disabilities, such as mental health issues, can be particularly challenging for some co-workers to deal with. Honesty, sensitivity and good communication are the core principles for creating a positive working environment. The following tips will help to create a great working relationship between disabled staff and their co-workers. 1. Clear Communication

To some extent, the onus is on the person with the disability to let their co-workers know if they need to be treated differently. Many may not want to do this, and in these cases staff may need to get to know each other before discussing sensitive issues. As relationships and trust are built, colleagues may feel comfortable asking

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appropriate questions. The key is never to pry or ask questions which step over boundaries. 2. Use Considerate Language

Inappropriate language is one of the most common ways disabled people are offended in the workplace. Words like handicapped and crippled can be very offensive. Saying that someone is confined to a wheelchair may be offensive, as the person may not see themselves this way at all. Some people are completely open about their disabilities and may be resistant to colleagues saying the wrong thing, but others may be easily offended. Co-workers should be aware of the language they use in relation to disabled staff, but shouldn’t get hung about saying the wrong thing all of the time.

3. Don’t Focus on The Disability

Disabled people like to build friendships and relationships with their co-workers like everybody else, and it’s important to see beyond their disabilities. If you take the time to get to know a disabled colleague, you will see them in a completely different light. For example, rather than viewing a disabled colleague as the visually impaired guy you will know them as the guy who loves baseball, cooking and jazz music. 4. Play by The Rules

Staff should always know how to accommodate the individual needs of disabled co-workers. For example, a disabled person may need access to specific parking, elevators or adapted desks. A disable worker may need special technology to assist them in the workplace, and colleagues must understand and respect this. Meetings and presentations may have to be adapted to the needs of hearing or visually impaired colleagues. Some colleagues may welcome assistance in situations they find challenging, but others may find this patronizing. It all comes down to the individual, and communication and understanding are key.

Creating a great working environment for a disabled person is easily achieved if you follow these guidelines.