People with a disability should be treated as equals. In the UK the Equality Act has made sure of this. But, have you ever thought about what it is like to have a disability. Have you ever interacted with someone who is disabled on a daily basis? Say you have a new work colleague who has limited mobility. Or even a young adult as your night class you attend. Below are some tips on how you should treat people with a disability.
People with a Disability : Physical Impairments
If you have a new staff member who has mobility issues, you may find changes around the office. Perhaps they have a specially adapted chair that they use to work from. Or you will notice the introduction of lower shelves in the staff kitchen. When you have a new colleague who uses a wheelchair or even a staff member who has suffered an accident and is now using a chair, it is important to ensure you know how to help them.
First and foremost, do not treat them any differently than anyone else. People with physical disabilities who choose to work are fiercely independent people. Instead of seeing them struggling to get something and getting up to help them, make changes so they don’t need to rely on you. This can involve moving things to lower shelves, making sure you are not blocking the passageway with your handbag or boxes, and simply being thoughtful. No one wants to be a burden on anyone. This means treating your companion in the same way as you do everyone else. Of course they can’t carry a tray of coffees if they are in a wheelchair. They will not be able to reach to the top shelf at the back of a cupboard. So, make their life easy without them having to ask.
Adaptations to your Workplace
If you are the owner of a workplace, then you should already have all the necessary adaptations in place for disabled people. If you do not, then contact Go Access to find out what needs to be done. By choosing a reputable company for the work, you will be sure that everything is in place and correct the first time. Never try and adapt your office yourself. You could waste money. Disabled doors need to be a certain size. Disabled access ramps need to be at the right angle. Faulty adaptations could lead you to being fined.
If your premise is public access, then you should already have disabled access to the building. Inside the building however, in private office areas, you may not. Things you will need to do are to ensure that your staff toilet facilities are adequate. Your cubicle must be big enough for a wheelchair, and grab rails must be present. Ensure you have enough room between desks and chairs for the easy passage of a wheelchair.
Also, ensure that all loose rugs are removed, and that all shelves are properly attached to walls. In your kitchen area, ensure that there are easy grab handles attached to your taps, and in the event that there are stairs that lead to your kitchen, introduce a modular ramp. These are just some things you can do to adapt your workplace. For more ideas and for a real look at what needs doing, contact your Bristol mobility experts today.