Summary
When a new person starts a job, "onboarding" is how the company helps them get settled. For employees with disabilities, making this process easy and fair is key. Doing the things in this article makes the company look better to customers and shows they care about fairness.
Welcome to this series of posts on Making Work Accessible! I’m so excited to share this deeper dive into accessibility at work, based on some content from a recent webinar and presentation. We’re going to explore the phases of the employee life cycle: Attraction, Recruitment, Onboarding, Development, and Retention. I’ll share some accessibility and inclusion best practices in each of these areas, and also include a related benefit of disability inclusion.
In HR, “onboarding” refers to the process of introducing a new employee to an organization and helping them adjust to their new role. What does that look like for people with disabilities?
Onboarding Employees with Disabilities
Best Practices
- Provide accessible employee handbooks and other documents
- Introduce employees to resources like technology, accommodations, and employee resource groups (ERGs)
- Provide both verbal and written guidance on policies and benefits
- Provide coaching and practice on systems and tools
- Provide partnership and peer support programs
- Train managers to understand laws, responsibilities
- Offer flexible work arrangements (remote work, flex time) to support employees with disabilities and caregivers
Business Benefit
Improved Reputation: Customers are increasingly drawn to businesses that champion social responsibility. Disability inclusion demonstrates a commitment to diversity and equality, leading to a more positive public image.
How Do I Do This?
I’d love for you to get in touch to chat about how I may be able to help you implement these best practices!
Sources and Further Reading
- Employer Assistance and Resource Network on Disability: Accessible Onboarding
- Best Practices for Onboarding Employees with Disabilities
- AskJAN: Incorporate Reasonable Accommodation Practices into your Onboarding Process
- Institute for Diversity Certification: How to Make Onboarding Accessible for People with Disabilities
In Summary
When a new person starts a job, "onboarding" is how the company helps them get settled. For employees with disabilities, making this process easy and fair is key. Doing the things in this article makes the company look better to customers and shows they care about fairness.