Reasonable adjustments to remove barriers for people with disabilities in the Workplace
Recently O’Herlihy Access Consultancy has been getting a number of queries on how to ensure workplaces are fully accessible for people with disabilities. The following are a number of ways that you can make your workplace more accessible to accommodate all workers:
- Carry out an access audit of the workplace and ensure your premises are accessible. It is good practice for employers to have access audits carried out to ensure their premises are accessible and to identify any improvements that can be made to the built environment. Some of the common shortfalls in workplaces include poor signage; poorly designed accessible WCs, badly designed approaches to buildings, inadequate communication facilities (induction loops) and poor day to day management of buildings
- Ensure all staff are have undertaken Disability Awareness Training. This training should be carried out in-line with the requirements outlined by the National Disability Authority.
- Ensure the workplace is a safe and health environment for all staff. For further information review the Health and Safety Authority’s guide entitled “Employees with Disabilities – An employer’s guide to implementing inclusive health and safety practices for employees with disabilities”.
- Ensure all employment policies are reviewed and consider how to make reasonable adjustments. Reasonable adjustments should be embedded into all policies and procedures. The Employers Forum on Disability in the UK highlights that policies and procedures that require particular attention include: recruitment, flexible working hours, procurement; emergency evacuation, information provision, employee training and development to name but a few.
- Ensure effective consultation takes place with staff members with disabilities. Remember people with disabilities will have a better idea of how a possible adjustment can help them overcome a barrier in the workplace. Serious consideration should be given if the suggestion is reasonable and effective.
- Ensure you monitor and review the effectiveness of all reasonable adjustments made for staff and ensure the results of the review are acted upon.
If you would like further information on reasonable adjustments to remove barriers for people with disabilities in the Workplace, please do not hesitate to contact us on 01-4151285 or [email protected].
