Disability in the Workplace

Employers may not provide reasonable accommodations to disabled employees, or those accommodations may not meet the needs of the employee. This could include not providing an accessible workstation or wheelchair access. It could also include not providing the necessary technology or services to help employees with disabilities perform their duties. Additionally, employers may not provide the necessary training to employees on how to effectively interact with coworkers who have a disability. All of these can lead to a feeling of exclusion from the workplace and a lack of productivity from the disabled employee. Employers should ensure that reasonable accommodations are provided to all employees, regardless of their disability, to ensure an inclusive and safe workplace for everyone.

Disabled employees may face discrimination from coworkers, supervisors, and customers due to their disability. Discrimination against disabled employees can take many forms, including verbal or physical abuse, unfair treatment in terms of promotions, and unequal pay.

Employees may not be familiar with the specific needs of their disabled coworker, and thus may not be able to effectively interact with them. Unfamiliarity with disability can also lead to misunderstandings that could result in potential legal actions. In order to avoid potential liabilities, employers should be sure to provide adequate training to their employees on how to interact with disabled coworkers, as well as how to accommodate their specific needs. Training should also include how to provide reasonable accommodations, such as providing access to necessary equipment, making sure the workplace is safe and secure, and ensuring that the disabled employee has access to any necessary resources.