International Day of Persons with Disabilities takes place on the 3rd of December each year. This year is the 30th anniversary of the fantastic event that educates, raises resources, commemorates achievements, and addresses global issues people with disabilities face.
This year the theme is transformative solutions for inclusive development: the role of innovation in fuelling an accessible and equitable world. There will be a focus on how technology can help those with disabilities in the workplace and beyond.
Creating a disability-friendly workplace is hugely important. Not only is it a legal requirement, but it also helps people with disabilities to thrive in their roles. Below, we’ve provided some great ways that you can celebrate International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
Host a workshop
One of the best ways to raise awareness of this often-unspoken topic can be with a workshop. Workshops can shed light on how better to support disabled workers as well as customers and clients you might interact with. These interactive sessions can help your teams and managers with practical solutions and help them begin to talk openly about disability in the workplace.
Review your policies
All organisations should have an inclusivity and diversity policy, which outlines their commitment to their employees. If you don’t have one, now could be the perfect time to create one, and if you do, it's a good idea to review this regularly. The policy should consider the steps you are taking to improve equality and diversity in the workplace, layout manager expectations and highlight dedicated staff members employees can talk to if they have an issue.
Set up an employee network group
Setting up an employee network group is a great way to get feedback from the people that matter most. An employee network group aims to improve inclusivity and diversity in your workplace. They offer a safe space for employees to share their experiences, raise issues and work together to improve awareness of minority groups. Employee Network Groups allow you to get feedback from the people who matter most and break stigmas around disabilities too.
Make a pledge
Commit to supporting your disabled employees with a written pledge. The government-run Disability Confident employer scheme provides commitments, self-assessments and reports you can carry out to help you ensure you’re providing equal opportunities for disabled people.
Hire a diverse workforce
Look at how your current hiring process is going and identify if there might be any issues. Many employers find that openly discussing their commitment to diversity in job postings can encourage a diverse pool of candidates. Try to shortlist as many employees from minority groups as possible in your screening process and encourage hiring managers to maintain an open mind throughout each stage.
