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  • Module 2: Your Employees

Disability inclusion for your workplace

Your workplace and employees
  • Module 2: Your Employees

Disability inclusion for your workplace

Your workplace and employees
  • Module 2: Your Employees

Disability inclusion for your workplace

Your workplace and employees
  • Module 2: Your Employees
  • Module 2: Your Employees

Building a case for access and inclusion for your workplace and employees

Focusing on your workplace and employees

The Anywhere toolkit aims to provide small businesses with practical information and resources to embrace access and inclusion — so that people with disability can enjoy the same unforgettable experiences as their friends and family.

In the introduction to disability access and inclusion, you learnt fundamental concepts related to disability (such as history and language) and how they are applied in the context of small businesses.

In Module 1 — your business and customers: you learnt about how to provide a great experience for your customers and how that benefits your business and the community.

In Module 2 — your workplace and employees: you’ll learn about why fostering a thriving and inclusive workplace and team is key to delivering unforgettable experiences for your customers.

It doesn’t matter whether your small business is holding events/festivals, taking people on tours, providing accommodation, serving up food and drink or providing a retail experience — a great customer experience is directly linked with a great employee experience.

Setting the scene

Principles associated with disability, access and inclusion are closely linked to community standards and expectations of broader diversity and inclusion. For example, customers from diverse backgrounds want to see those backgrounds represented in the people who interact with them.

Further, customers want to feel respected, valued and that they belong. Equally, employees within your business want to bring their full authentic selves to work and feel accepted and safe within an inclusive environment that values their diversity.

Making your workplace accessible and inclusive for your employees is a great way to ensure that your tourism product or service is accessible and inclusive.

Why is access and inclusion in your workplace important?

Research indicates that companies with inclusive policies towards people with disability tend to have higher employee retention rates, increased productivity, and enhanced innovation.

Good for organisational performance

  • Studies show that diverse workplaces are more productive and profitable.
  • Employees with disability bring a wide range of skills and perspectives to the workplace, which can help businesses innovate and grow.
  • When employees feel included and valued, they are more likely to be engaged and productive.
  • Businesses that employ people with disability are also more likely to be seen as socially responsible. This can lead to improved customer loyalty and brand reputation.
  • Specifically, The DCA Inclusion Index indicates the return on investment associated with inclusive workplaces includes:
    • 3 times more likely to provide excellent customer services
    • 5 times more likely to be satisfied with their job
    • 2 times as likely to be recognised and supported
    • 3 times less likely to leave

 

Good for individuals

  • Employment provides people with disability with a sense of purpose and belonging.
  • It allows people with disability to develop skills, earn a living, and contribute to society.
  • Working in an inclusive environment can help people with disability overcome stigma and discrimination.

Good for society

  • An inclusive society benefits everyone.
  • When people with and without disability work alongside each other stigma is broken down and a more equitable society is created.
  • When people are employed they pay taxes, contributing to the economy.

 

It’s the law

The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) 1992 makes it unlawful to discriminate against a person regarding employment because of their disability. This means that businesses are legally obligated to not discriminate against people with disability and also to make reasonable adjustments to accommodate the needs of people with disability.

By employing people with disability, businesses can create a more diverse, productive, and inclusive workplace. It’s good for business, good for individuals, and good for society.

 

Downloadable Resources

Myths and Facts about Employing People with Disability

External links

In this chapter

Focusing on your workplace and employees

Setting the scene

Why is access and inclusion in your workplace important?

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