Working with Diversity- Disability

 

Working with Diversity- Disability.

The Disability Act says:  "ensures a person with a disability cannot be discriminated against or treated unfairly because of their disability."

There are several ways to define disability and The Disability Discrimination Act 1992 defines disability as:

• Total or partial loss of the individual's real or mental capacities 
• Total or partial loss of a piece of the body 
• Presence of organisms in living beings causing sickness or ailment 
• Malfunction, contortion or deformation of a piece of the individual's body 
• An issue that outcomes in the individual gaining uniquely in contrast to an individual without the problem or breakdown 

An organisation can make changes to the work place or work process in such a way that the it will reduce or minimize the impact of disability.

The general process changes can be

• Flexible work hours
• Adjustable work space
• Allocating only minor duties

The work place changes can be

• Equal opportunity
• Equal pay
• Equal rights for promotion and insentives

Now let us further look into more disabilities we can find and possible requirements for them.

For a person who is blind or has low vision

• Screen-magnification
• Braille machines and printers
• Contrasting work surfaces or trays 

For a person with a learning disability

• ‘To-do’ lists or checklists
• Speech-to-text dictation software
• Verbal instructions

For a person with chronic health condition

• Air-conditioning
• Height-adjustable work stations
• Building modifications

A list of other policies, acts or legislation that provide a guide to organizations on how to ensure the organization takes into consideration disabilities in the work place:

• Disability Services Act 1986
• Disability Discrimination Act 1992
• Equal Opportunity Act 2010