Disability Inclusion: Creating a more inclusive culture at work

A definitive guide to disability inclusion in the workplace (May 2022)

With the transition to remote work opening up new opportunities to everyone, Ben has created this guide that walks businesses through every step in creating inclusive workplaces for employees with disabilities.

https://www.thanksben.com/the-definitive-guide-to-disability-inclusion-in-the-workplace

It covers a lot of important considerations, such as:

  • The laws in place to protect people with disabilities
  • The disability employment gap, its causes, and how it changes according to demographic groups
  • Practical steps to support disabled employees
  • How to build a more inclusive culture in the workplace

Here are just a handful of the insights we delve into:

  • Just 52.3% of disabled people are in employment. However, the number of disabled people in employment has risen 25,000 since last year.
  • The majority of employers (84%) believe disabled people make a valuable contribution to the workplace, with 76% welcoming disability training for all employees.
  • Disabled people are more likely to work in part-time or flexible roles – either due to preference or lack of access to full-time work. 31.4% of people with disabilities work part-time, compared to 23.1% of non-disabled people.
  • The increase in redundancies during the pandemic hit disabled employees especially hard. Between July and November, 2.1% of disabled people were made redundant, almost double the percentage of non-disabled employees.

 Ezra: ‘Neurodiversity in the Modern Workplace’

Thanks to Ezra for sharing their guide ‘Neurodiversity in the Modern Workplace’ and an insight into US and UK when it comes supporting neurodiverse individuals in the workplace.

https://www.helloezra.com/neurodiversity-modern-workplace/

It provides an overview of the benefits and challenges of a neurodiverse workforce, as well as guidance on supporting neurodiverse employees. And also offers powerful insights such as:
 

  • Neurodiversity’s associated challenges have long been the focus of modern organizations, but 
  • have not been widely appreciated.
  • Forward-thinking companies have embraced neurodiversity. For example, JP Morgan Chase
  • has an “Autism at Work” scheme to find top tech talent.
  • The UK legislated the Disability Discrimination Act in 1995, which makes it illegal to
  • discriminate against an employee or potential employee based on their disability, whether
  • hidden or visible. However, the US has less rigorous disabilities legislation – there’s currently
  • no protection for conditions like autism.

Traditional interview formats intimidate many neurodiverse applicants. Hiring managers can help by giving applicants a clear description of what the interview will entail beforehand.

Our research found that:
 

  • Only 19.3% of people with disabilities in the US are employed and working.
  • 81% of adults with autism are either unemployed or underemployed.
  • People with dyslexia have high levels of creativity, likely due to the amount of time and dedication it takes for them to explore new methods of learning.