Technology plays a key role in just about every aspect of our lives today—so much so that it is easily taken for granted. However, for some individuals, that’s not an option. Technology is what provides them with the opportunity to live the life they need and deserve. For individuals living with disabilities, technology is a gateway to accomplishing tasks, a tool for encouraging creativity, and a path to participation.
Businesses already face a legal obligation to provide reasonable accommodation and consideration for employees with disabilities, but simply adhering to the letter of the law means leaving opportunities for diverse thinking and contributions on the table. Nearly 18% of all Americans with disabilities are an active part of the workforce. By making the necessary investments to equip your business with better and modern accessibility technologies, you can tap into several benefits while building a better place to work for employees.
Technology Upgrades That Build A More Accessible Office
Your first step is identifying the tools that could give your business a boost in terms of accessibility. Today, there are many valuable add-ons for your office.
A few of the most exciting opportunities in assistive technology today include:
- SeeingAI by Microsoft is an assistive tool that uses machine learning and AI to recognize objects and individuals. This provides the user with audible descriptions of what’s in front of them.
- IntelliGaze and other eye-tracking technologies, which allow individuals with low mobility and dexterity to operate computers without a traditional keyboard and mouse.
- Voice recognition-based input tools, including speech-to-text and verbal commands for using a computer.
Even basic technology improvements create opportunities for expanding the accessibility of your business. For example, adopting PDF software with built-in accessibility features makes it simpler to create digital documents that employees with disabilities can process easily with their preferred assistive technologies. Evaluating your entire suite of technology, to understand its impact on employees or clients with disabilities, may reveal many opportunities for change.
Supporting Employees With Disabilities Through Remote Work
In 2020, one of the biggest changes to ever impact businesses came to be: the recognition of remote work’s true potential. Although the shift took place out of necessity, it created many new opportunities while allowing businesses to recognize the potential advantages of such a change. Remote work provides businesses with an excellent way to make inroads for employees with disabilities.
While equipping the office with new tools and technologies is a vital step, so is embracing the opportunities that remote working tools create. Many individuals with disabilities are more comfortable working at home where they have greater access to accessibility tools that they may not be able to bring to work. Accommodating these individuals gives your team greater flexibility and more coverage around the clock.
The Benefits of Making Your Office More Accessible
Why invest the time, effort, and cash to make your business more adaptable for remote work and employees with disabilities? By creating a place where individuals with disabilities can thrive in the workplace, you can unlock several benefits. These include:
- New and unique perspectives that can contribute to problem-solving and idea generation. Diversity is in itself rewarding because of the unique solutions that a varied group of individuals can produce.
- Improved retention and enhanced employee satisfaction. When it’s easier for employees to accomplish daily tasks without struggling against tools and technologies that are designed without considering workers with disabilities, you can retain top talent and keep them happy.
- Greater awareness of disabilities among non-disabled employees and an improved understanding of their impact. While this awareness may not necessarily boost every aspect of your company, it does let your business build a better corporate culture. Building a more diverse team creates a richer perspective for all team members, which can contribute to a strong sense of team cohesion and mutual support.
Is Your Office Due For An Accessibility Upgrade?
With new technologies emerging all the time to improve opportunities for individuals with disabilities, now is the time to assess whether your office should make new investments in this area. From clear benefits to a more accessible workplace, you could create exciting new opportunities for your teams.
There is one essential thing to keep in mind as you explore ways to make your business more accommodating to employees with disabilities: While investments in new technologies contribute to a more accessible space, true inclusivity starts within a company’s culture. It goes beyond making investments in technology and reaches into active recruitment efforts.
As companies evaluate how to better accommodate those with disabilities, embracing the valuable perspectives of diverse employees can result in smarter business decisions.
