The International Day of Persons with Disabilities takes place on the 3rd December. This important day promotes an understanding of disability issues, increases awareness and support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities.
The event was launched in 1992 by the United Nations General Assembly. Their aim was to advance disability rights and protect the well-being of those with disabilities.
Some disabilities, like mental health disorders, chronic pain and fatigue, are invisible – but that does not make them any less devastating to someone’s quality of life.
How can I get involved?
There a number of ways organisations can make a difference. Some positive steps include:
In house training sessions
One of the most effective ways to promote awareness and ignite change in your workplace is to host a disability training session. Some of the many benefits include improving customer service, increased knowledge of legal requirements, encourages open communication among teams, transforms existing perceptions and validates disabled members of staff.
Recognise and discuss neurodiversity
The International Day of Disabled Persons concerns all disabilities.
Neurodiverse employees will have a unique view of the world as their brains are wired differently. They are important to highlight as they are invisible. Examples include:
- ADHD
- Autism
- Dyspraxia
- Dyslexia
- Dyscalculia
- Dysgraphia
- Tourette’s Syndrome
Improve accessibility in and around the office
Some examples of accessibility in the workplace include:
- Wheelchair ramps/lifts
- Quiet rooms for noise sensitivity
- Braille signage
- Adaptive desks & chairs
- Invest in digital accessibility tools
Donate to charity
https://www.scope.org.uk/donate/
https://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/donate
https://shopandgive.thegivingmachine.co.uk/cause-categories/disability/
Find out more:
https://www.possabilitypeople.org.uk/
Workplace Wellbeing Professional & Disability Awareness
Workplace Wellbeing Professional are passionate about inclusive and accessible workspaces for all employees. To read content relating to disability in the workplace, follow the links below (with much more to be found under ‘Disability’ in the Topic Index):
- Are businesses purple washing to hide poor disability practice?
- Only 2/4 employers offer physical health support following illness, injury or disability
- Britons with a diagnosed disability face difficulty finding employment
Workplace Wellbeing Professional is an online magazine featuring news and analysis on a broad range of employee wellbeing topics, focused on a UK based audience.