Proactive Inclusion: Building Accessible Workplaces Beyond Compliance

In this episode, Michelle discusses what it means to create an inclusive and accessible workplace for everyone, particularly focusing on supporting employees with disabilities. Michelle highlights how organizations often approach disability accommodation from a compliance standpoint, waiting for requests rather than proactively designing accessible environments. She emphasizes the positive impact of being proactive—not only does this prepare the workplace for a diverse talent pool, but it also signals to candidates and current employees that inclusion and belonging are priorities from day one.

Michelle shares practical strategies for establishing accessible spaces, such as configurable workstations, quiet rooms, and making accommodations for both visible and invisible disabilities. She underlines the importance of individualized support, inclusive language, and normalizing the conversation around accommodations.

To find out more about and connect with Michelle, visit: www.Equity-at-work.com

Key Topics Discussed:

• Proactive vs reactive approaches to disability accommodation

• The hesitation employees feel in requesting accommodations

• How proactive accessibility supports recruitment and retention

• Examples of workplace accommodations (quiet rooms, adjustable workstations, etc.)

• The wide range of visible and invisible disabilities

• Temporary vs. permanent disabilities

• The importance of individualized support and active listening

• Using inclusive language and avoiding outdated or harmful terms

• Key statistics on disability prevalence, accommodation costs, and retention rates

• The role of flexibility and normalization in supporting employees