There is Ability in Disability: Fostering Inclusion in the Workplace

In today’s fast-growing and dynamic work environment, either due to their physical or mental condition, people with special needs are an inestimable source of work force. This should represent the basis to foster inclusion and diversity in the workplace.

If we look at Singapore business landscape, policies and procedures to promote disabilities within the organization, have been implemented in these years. According to a Straits Times reports, one company which has been hiring people with disabilities is FairPrice.

"Since 1983, they have been committed to realise inclusive workplace. Now, the company has about 50 such staff who are mostly assigned to work with merchandising, displaying and replenishing stock." Moreover, Mr Tan Ying, deputy director and head of HR partnering at FairPrice, stated that "the company employ them according to their capabilities. For instance, one of them is very good at remembering stocks and he knows exactly which aisle lacks the goods that should be displayed there”.

I think that creating a diverse and inclusive environment requires a work culture where all employees feel fully engaged and able to express their potential. Leadership and human resources practices play critical roles in shaping an organization's work culture, and are therefore key to making employers more inclusive of employees of all diversities and abilities.

Some organizations have implemented their good practices about disability concern. For instance, some company are focused on making office space physically accessible, both internally and externally.

I believe that nowadays is crucial to promote an inclusive work environment and understand how to efficacy manage it. In this regard, both human resource department and managers (through a leadership role modelling) have the responsibility to guide team members efficiently in the – complex - world of disability, diversity and inclusion, providing some general guidance and background to understanding and learning differences in the workplace.

See also: supporting employees with disabilities

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y71w8WgTrdE

References:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/denisebrodey/2018/07/29/how-disability-friendly-is-your-workplace-4-ways-to-put-your-business-to-the-test/#523a98b65201

http://www.askearn.org/earns-primer-on-disability-inclusion/

http://www.hrinasia.com/general/there-is-ability-in-disability-fostering-inclusion-at-the-workplace/

https://blog.hrps.org/blogpost/5-Steps-to-Create-a-More-Inclusive-Workplace-for-Employees-with-Disabilities