PwD Employ – Personal Learning Environment for the Efficient Recruitment of People with Disabilities - Module 6

1. Efficient Recruitment of People with Disabilities

2. Module 6 Integration of PwD into the company and work environment

4. Objectives At the end of the module, trainees shall be able to: :: Objective 1 List ways in which they can make the workplace more accessible; :: Objective 2 Recall some of the benefits of employing people with disabilities; :: Objective 3 Understand ways in which people with disabilities can be integrated into the workforce.

5. This Module is about integrating people with disabilities into the workforce. You will be expected to reflect upon your own workplace and think of ways to adopt some of the strategies. Many alterations can be made at little or no cost to your organization so try to think creatively. The idea is to remove the barriers that your employees may face therefore making a more accessible workplace for all. Module Introduction

6. Chapter 1 Developing appropriate conditions in the workplace for PwD Key words: barriers, access, working day, transport, workplace, environment, employees.

7. Think about your workplace as a whole and imagine your own daily routine from leaving home to returning at the end of a shift. What barriers do you face? What barriers might your employees face? Try to think of ways to make your own day easier. Making adaptations to remove these barriers will be beneficial to all of your employees.

8. Things to consider: :: How does employee get to work at the start of a shift? :: Are your start times flexible enough to accommodate the bus or train timetable? :: What are the parking arrangements? :: How do employees access the building? :: Once inside the building, how do employees get to their work environment, desk or workstation? :: Do they need to go anywhere else? Are the Toilets accessible? Will they be expected to go to other areas or offices in the building? What about the canteen? :: What are the barriers? How can they be removed? Workplace organization

9. Whilst your employees are working what equipment do they need? Are their desks and seats suitable? Work equipment should already adhere to Health and Safety requirements but you may need to remind your employees to adjust chairs and desks. What are the barriers? How can they be removed? Working environment

10. What do you expect from your employees? The hours and the workload should match the job description, this should be true for all employees to prevent bad feeling amongst co-workers. Review your job descriptions to make sure that when you advertise a vacancy you are giving a fair picture of what is expected from employees. What are the barriers? How can they be removed? Working conditions

11. Chapter 2 Benefits for employer and team Key words: Accessible, challenges, creativity, new ideas.

12. :: Making the workplace accessible is beneficial to all employees; :: Once reasonable adjustments have been made to the workplace, you can be confident that all employees are able to work to their optimum capabilities; :: The challenges that people with disabilities face on a day to day basis mean that they are generally good at dealing with difficult customers or clients; :: Disabled workers are less likely to judge or gossip about others so they tend to work well with others;

13. :: People with disabilities often have to be creative in finding ways around difficult situations making them quick thinking; :: Hiring workers with disabilities can give you an alternative insight into your business. They may have developed unique techniques for doing the job and could have some great time and money saving ideas to offer; :: Employing people with disabilities paves the way for other people with disabilities, setting a good example and encouraging other employers to do the same.

14. Chapter 3 Strategies to successfully integrate PwD into the workplace Key words: Differentiation, Integration, Removing barriers, non-discriminatory.

15. Many barriers can be overcome by making simple adaptations: :: Remove obstacles from corridors; :: Don’t allow offices and work spaces to become cluttered; :: Make sure that there is adequate parking provision; :: Provide ramps where there are steps; :: Ensure that facilities are clearly marked.

16. In order to successfully integrate PwD into your organization remember the following tips: :: Don't make assumptions about the abilities of disabled employees. :: Provide disability equality training for all managers and staff. :: Ensure you enforce your non-discrimination policy for applicants and employees. :: Get an access audit of your premises done and make any alterations you can make now. Ensure that any new premises you buy, use or rent are accessible to disabled people and that all new build and refurbishment projects are designed to include everyone.

17. In order to successfully integrate PwD into your organization remember the following tips: :: Make sure all your vacancies are advertised where disabled applicants will see them. :: Consider operating a guaranteed interview scheme where any disabled person meeting the essential criteria for a post is short-listed. :: Tell your local MP or council if there are barriers such as local transport or planning regulations that are creating barriers to you employing disabled people. :: Establish or join a forum for business in your local area to discuss how to remove barriers and promote good practice around employing disabled people.

18. :: Find three things in your organization which can be changed to improve accessibility and change them today. :: Find two useful websites about the integration of pwd into the workforce, share them with your colleagues and invite them to discuss the sites with you. Activities

19. :: Recruiting and employing disabled people http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/layer?r.l1=1073858787&topicId=1074426755&r.lc=en&r.l2=1079568262&r.s=tl :: Benefits of recruiting PwD http://wwww.helium.com/items/1765497-hiring-disability-worker-physically-challenged :: Pictures courtesy of www.freedigitalphotos.net Module Bibliography