Why YOU Should Hire Someone With A Disability
By: Logan Stewart
October is known for its crisp air, beautiful autumn colours, and Halloween. But did you know that October is also National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM)?
This October we celebrate NDEAM and the positive contributions that people with disabilities have made - and could make more of - to the workforce. Having people with disabilities on your team may just offer a unique perspective you never thought of before. Nobody knows what it's like to live with a disability more than somebody who has one.
All over the world people with disabilities struggle to find jobs that are accommodating to them. According to the Canadian Association of Supported Employment on behalf of Statistics Canada, “One in five working-age Canadians in the labour force experiences some form of disability. That’s 21% of the workforce or 3.2 million workers.”
Contrary to popular belief, those who identify with disabilities are smart, dedicated employees and can add significant value to organizations.
Unfortunately, employers are not always accommodating and that makes working extremely challenging. Those who identify with a disability are 25% more likely to overperform their non-disabled coworkers on productivity according to revenue. Organizations that hire people with disabilities and focus on inclusion also earn 1.6 times the revenue. Disability inclusion is a win for everyone.
Now you might be wondering what Whimble has to do with this? Many people with disabilities require attendant care for assistance with Activities of Daily Living, such as simply going to the bathroom and eating lunch. Whimble’s on-demand support provides assurance that employees with disabilities can get their care needs met so they can stay focused on their job throughout the workday and beyond.
Even with assistance from organizations like Whimble, workers still face challenges in gaining and maintaining employment. Companies often won't give equal opportunities or pay those with disabilities fairly, whether that is not having an accessible workspace or washroom or even the ability to work from home when necessary.
Here's what you can do to help: as an employer you can hire without judgment, regardless of disabilities a candidate may have.
Look at their skill set and what they can bring to the role, Don't focus on the things you think they may have challenges with.
Be supportive, ask them what accommodations they may require if any and follow through with making sure that they are comfortable.
Learn about your employee's strengths and build on those, not their challenges. Everybody has strengths and weaknesses regardless of disability status.
Get familiar with organizations that can help like Whimble.
If you work with a person with disabilities you can help by sharing the NDEAM message with your team Don't assume anything and be respectful always.
Remember, disabled doesn't mean unable and I am confident you will be pleasantly surprised how much better your company will become when you include more diverse perspectives and lived experiences on your team.
Logan Stewart is an Ottawa-based public relations graduate and communications professional who is passionate about not-for-profit work, specifically in the LGBTQIA+ and disability space. With over 10 years of experience in social media, and as a not-for-profit ambassador involved in many charitable efforts, Logan brings a unique, creative, and caring approach to all of his work - always being a strong advocate for those who can’t.
Follow Logan’s journey and social media here.