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Disability in the workplace

<div class="ExternalClass335AE225C96F4C548C311A360D4ECD7F"><p>20% of the global population has a disability, which means most of us will have an experience of disability in our lives, whether it be personally, through our family and friends, or in our workplaces and communities. </p> </div>

<h2 class="sectHeading">Accommodating different needs</h2><p>Today we recognise disability as a part of human diversity. But what does it mean to work with disability in a way that enables a good life for ourselves and others? The City’s aim is to improve people with disabilities’ quality of life and to encourage active and positive communities. </p><p>Accommodating the needs of people with disabilities in a work space helps them become earning, active members of society. Many people with disabilities are able to do the same jobs as able-bodied people. Sometimes it’s simply that the environment or tools they will be using need some small adjustments or changes. We call these kinds of changes ‘reasonable accommodation’. </p><p> <b>Reasonable accommodation in the workplace</b><br> Very often, only minor adjustments are necessary to make a workplace accessible for a person with a disability to ensure that he/she is an independent employee. Whether you have a disability, work with a person with disabilities, or employ someone with special needs, there are some very easy changes you can request or make in your workplace. </p><div class="mobile-scroll"> <table><tbody><tr><td> <img title="Disability in the workplace lift buttons with braille" alt="Disability in the workplace lift buttons with braille" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Inline%20Images/Disability%20-%20Disability%20In%20The%20Workplace%20-%20Inline%20Rich%20List%201.jpg" style="width:300px;" /> </td><td>Make the space more accessible by building a ramp for wheelchair access or equipping lifts with special numbering for visually impaired persons.</td></tr><tr><td> <img title="Disability in the workplace screen magnifier" alt="Disability in the workplace screen magnifier" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Inline%20Images/Disability%20-%20Disability%20In%20The%20Workplace%20-%20Inline%20Rich%20List%202.jpg" style="width:300px;" /> </td><td> <span> <p>Supply visually impaired employees with voice technology or magnifying software for their computers. </p></span></td></tr><tr><td> <img title="Disability in the workplace headphones for training material in electronic format" alt="Disability in the workplace headphones for training material in electronic format" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Inline%20Images/Disability%20-%20Disability%20In%20The%20Workplace%20-%20Inline%20Rich%20List%203.jpg" style="width:300px;" /> </td><td>Offer training material and assessment materials in electronic format or braille. </td></tr><tr><td rowspan="1"><img title="Disability in the workplace workstations for comfort and efficiency" alt="Disability in the workplace workstations for comfort and efficiency" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Inline%20Images/Disability%20-%20Disability%20In%20The%20Workplace%20-%20Inline%20Rich%20List%204.jpg" style="margin:5px;width:300px;" /></td><td rowspan="1">Re-organise workstations so people with disabilities can work comfortably and efficiently. </td></tr></tbody></table></div> <br> <span> <h2 class="sectHeading">Employment equity</h2></span> <p>An employer or manager needs to understand how to support a person with disabilities – it comes down to equal rights. Along with race and gender, disability is a group designated for affirmative action in the workplace. This is enforced by the Employment Equity Act.</p><p>See the <a href="https://www.gov.za/documents/employment-equity-act" target="_blank"> Employment Equity Act<i class="icon link-external"></i></a> and the <a href="https://www.gov.za/documents/employment-equity-amendment-act" target="_blank">Employment Equity Amendment Act<i class="icon link-external"></i></a>.</p> <span> <h2 class="sectHeading">FAQs</h2></span> <p>Please visit the Disability Desk <a href="https://disabilitydesk.co.za/2013/06/25/disability-and-recruitment-faq/" target="_blank">FAQs section<i class="icon link-external"></i></a> for more information about people with disabilities in the workplace.</p>

By accommodating the needs of people with disabilities in the work space, you help them become an earning, active member of society