The world’s approach towards disabled professionals today is already ideal compared to how they’re treated before.

Aside from the laws which protect people with disabilities from any form of discrimination in the workplace, we have medical and technological advancements which level the playing field for everyone. Since then, employers recognise the untapped potentials of a disabled applicant which they can use to grow their businesses and strengthen their companies. They now have an equal chance of being successful, while being an inspiration to others.

However, a study from the National Public Radio, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found out that 55% of the disabled workers in America think that their company provides a poor work environment for them. They still experience problems with accessibility in the office, resulting in workplace stress.

With that being said, companies who hire disabled professionals must provide a disability-friendly work environment. When the physical office is designed for inclusivity, your employees, with or without a disability, can always put their best foot forward in the job.

Do you know who’s working for you?

According to Founder’s Guide, people may suffer from four types of disabilities and all employers need to know about it. These are:

• Physical disabilities hinder someone’s mobility or physical capacity. Some people are born with it, some had it after an accident. This could be permanent or temporary.
• Mental Illness affects a person’s way of thinking which latter influences their emotion and behaviour in and out of the office.
• Sensory disabilities affect the person’s five senses. They are the people who can’t see or hear well. Some are easily distracted and have difficulty in focusing on tasks.
• Intellectual disabilities affect one’s ability to communicate, learn, or retain information.

Some disabilities occur as they age or after they survived a life changing event. No matter how they got it, their jobs can give them the psychological and social boost they need to start another chapter of their lives. Support them by altering the physical office. Get help from trusted workplace designers in designing an office space which doesn’t highlight their disabilities.

Providing the office the disabled professionals need

The universal design can make workplaces inclusive for all people and all concepts. Inclusivity happens when there is no separate treatment for the disabled. Here, they are not considered as people with special needs—just normal employees.

In a previous article, I wrote about creating inclusive workplaces, I enumerated the qualities of an office which follow the universal design of structures to help businesses treat their disabled employees better.  

• The office building design must be accessible by people with diverse needs. This means that people in a wheelchair can enter the building even without assistance, ride the elevator with their colleagues, and pass through the hallway without worrying about their wheelchair.

• All facilities must be flexible to use. Even the simplest frills such as the doorknob should accommodate a wide range of preferences and abilities. Instead of round-shaped knobs, Install lever handles on all doors. This style is easier to grab and use.
• The design must be simple. It must follow the natural flow of a person in a space. Through this, you create a flow that’s easy to understand. For example, the office pantry must always be near the bathroom or washroom. The copier must stand in the storage room where everyone has access to office supplies.
• You can easily convey your messages. Necessary information should be communicated to all users, regardless of their sensory limitations. You can start with signs which aid in wayfinding in the office. The elevator buttons must have a braille counterpart to help visually impaired visitors use it and must light up when pushed.

• Tolerant to error. An error must not lead to accidents. For example, you can enter the door whether you push or pull it.
• You exert low physical effort in using your facilities. You can use everything, including the frills, with minimal effort. In your office bathroom, use lever faucets and automatic flush on the toilets.

Office accessibility helps retain talent

There is an increasing number of disabled people in the world and those who are capable of working wants to be a part of the workforce. These people are the most eager and most committed to the job— and that’s the kind of employees that business owners are longing to have and keep.

Retain talent by creating disabled-friendly workspaces. Businesses who choose to follow the universal design doesn’t just show concern and respect to people as their employee, but as an individual too. When you provide a healthy environment for your employees with disability, you’re enabling their full potentials. They’ll be more productive, more fulfilled, and more satisfied with their jobs. They may want to work for you longer. Most importantly, it makes your business will be more profitable.

At Superdraft, I learned how design and building professionals help businesses construct human-centered workspaces. Architects are one of the professionals you can count on to help you achieve inclusivity in the office. It’s our mission to improve the built environment and we need the cooperation of the business sectors to make this happen. It’s a win-win for everybody in the end. ∎