“Actively Involve PwDs In Decision-Making:” Lal Singh

What steps can employers take to ensure pay parity for employees with disabilities?

To ensure pay parity for employees with disabilities, employers should ensure that recruitment and selection processes are inclusive and free from bias. This includes providing reasonable accommodation during the application and interview process. Providing fair and unbiased training to managers and employees for hiring as well as during promotion processes is necessary. Review of policies, procedures and practices at regular intervals should be ensured so as to identify any potential barriers that may affect pay parity for employees with disabilities.  

How can we raise awareness about the issue of pay parity for people with disabilities and encourage action to address it?

Following are few effective ways for spreading awareness about the abilities of persons with disabilities (PwDs): • Organise workshops, seminars or training sessions to educate individuals within the organisation or community about the abilities and talents of PwDs. 

• Sharing personal stories and testimonials of individuals with disabilities who have achieved success in their careers or made significant contributions. 

• Conduct accessibility demonstrations or events to showcase the assistive technologies, accommodations and adaptations that enable individuals with disabilities to perform effectively in the workplace.  

What are some examples of infrastructure accommodations that organisations can provide for people with disabilities?

Organisations can provide various infrastructural accommodations to ensure accessibility and inclusion for people with disabilities. Here are some examples:  

• Provide assistive technologies and devices to support individuals with disabilities. These include screen readers for individuals with visual impairments, hearing loop systems for individuals with hearing impairments and ergonomic equipment for individuals with mobility limitations.

• Ensure that communication methods are accessible to individuals with hearing or speech impairments. This can include providing sign language interpreters, captioning services for videos and meetings and accessible communication tools like text-to-speech software or video relay services. 

• Establish a help desk for persons with disabilities so that they may seek specialised help to navigate the challenges they may encounter while discharging their duties.

How can organisations promote a culture of inclusivity and accessibility to improve infrastructure availability for people with disabilities?  

For promoting a culture of inclusivity and accessibility within the organisation, following key steps can be undertaken by organisations: 

• Leadership to demonstrate a strong commitment to inclusivity and accessibility, which reflects in policies and mission statement and is communicated consistently throughout the organisation. 

• Provide comprehensive training to employees on disability awareness, inclusivity and accessibility. The topics to be covered in such trainings are understanding different types of disabilities, appropriate language and the importance of accessibility in infrastructure design etc. 

• Review and revise organisational policies related to recruitment, hiring, accommodations, career advancement and overall workplace accessibility

What are some of the challenges that organisations may face in implementing an inclusion policy for people with disabilities?  

Negative attitudes and biases towards individuals with disabilities can be a significant challenge. Stereotypes and misconceptions may exist among employees, leading to resistance or reluctance to fully embrace inclusive practices. Existing infrastructure and facilities may not be fully accessible, making it challenging for individuals with disabilities to navigate the physical environment. 

Retrofitting or modifying facilities to ensure accessibility can be costly and require significant time and resources. Also, organisations may lack the necessary resources and expertise to effectively implement and manage disability inclusion policies.

How can organisations ensure that their inclusion policy is effective and accessible for people with disabilities?  

In order to foster an inclusive and welcoming work environment for PwDs, following points are to be ensured for effective and accessible inclusion policy: 

• Include individuals with disabilities in the policy development process. Seek their input, perspectives and feedback to ensure that the policy addresses their needs and challenges effectively. 
• Ensure that the policy is accessible in terms of content and format. Use plain language, avoid jargon and provide alternative formats such as large print, Braille or electronic versions compatible with screen readers. 
• Conduct comprehensive training and education programmes for all employees to ensure they understand the inclusion policy, its purpose and their roles and responsibilities in implementing it. 

How can organisations promote a culture of inclusivity beyond the implementation of an inclusion policy for people with disabilities?

Organisations can promote a culture of inclusivity beyond implementation of inclusion policy in the following ways: 

• Conduct awareness programmes for all employees to promote understanding, empathy and cultural competence. This includes training on unconscious bias, disability awareness, effective communication and inclusive leadership. Encourage open dialogue and provide resources for continuous learning and development. 

• Foster an environment of open and inclusive communication. Encourage employees to share their ideas, perspectives and concerns. Ensure that communication channels are accessible and provide multiple avenues for employees to voice their opinions and provide feedback. 

• Ensure that workplace benefits and accommodations are inclusive and accessible for all employees. This includes offering flexible work arrangements, accessible technologies and reasonable accommodation that meets the needs of individuals with disabilities and other diverse groups.