The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) opened the doors to individuals with various issues that can make it challenging to work in a workplace without some accommodations. While the ADA is the law of the land, only 19.3 percent of people with disabilities were employed in 2019, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Even before the coronavirus pandemic hit in 2020, these individuals faced double the rate of unemployment of the general population.
How Are Companies Addressing Inequality in the Workplace?
Listening to the Community
The disabled community has been telling employers for years that they could perform work effectively at home, and this crisis has opened employers’ eyes to the possibilities. In recent years organizations have recognized they are missing out on a large portion of the employable population by not accommodating Americans with Disabilities. Now, companies are beginning to make accommodations that can help make suitable employment available to all.
Remote Work Opens Doors
If the 2020 coronavirus pandemic taught us anything it is that there are many more jobs or job responsibilities that can be performed remotely than we realized. This offers an advantage to people with disabilities and the people who wish to employ them. Most people with disabilities already have their homes set up in a way that works for them. They know how to make it easy for themselves to get around and take care of their tasks or responsibilities.
Accommodation Strategies
It takes minimal effort for companies to accommodate individuals working from home. They can reimburse employees for the equipment they use at home to do their work, which can be easier and more cost-effective than accommodating them on-site (of course, every effort should be made to do so). Technological advances have also made accommodations easier. ADA compliant websites offer high contrast to make it easier to read content and navigate the site. Voice-assisted technology means blind employees can perform their jobs effectively or attend training online.
Boost Your Bottom Line
Including people with disabilities in your organization doesn’t just help the employee; it also improves the bottom line, helps build a more diverse workplace, and can increase customer loyalty. According to a 2018 Accenture study, companies with individuals with disabilities in their organizations increased revenue by 28 percent higher revenue and enjoyed 30 percent higher profit margins. The U.S. economy could get a boost of up to $25 billion if more people with disabilities were to join the labor force, the study found.
Looking for strategies to hire and develop your team?
Contact the recruiting professionals at The Panther Group. We can help you add to your team’s diversity and develop strategies to accommodate those with disabilities more effectively. Contact the team at The Panther Group.
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