Did you know that over ten million people in the UK live with a non-visible disability? That makes it very likely that someone you work with is affected. Carry on reading to find out more about how you can support them…
What defines a non-visible disability?
Non-visible disabilities can include physical, neurological or mental conditions which are not immediately obvious but have a profound impact on the individual day-to-day. Examples of non-visible disabilities include diabetes, epilepsy, autism, Crohn's disease, ADHD and PTSD.
Be supportive
If someone has felt comfortable enough to share details about their condition with you, then make sure to be an active listener and show your full support. If you are in a managerial position, try your best to understand where you could make reasonable adjustments to make your employee’s life that bit easier.
Knowledge is power
Compulsory training on non-visible disabilities is a great way to ensure your employees have the tools and knowledge to create a welcoming and supportive environment for everybody. This will also prevent people from making insensitive comments or making unfair presumptions about their colleagues which could be really harmful to the workplace dynamic.
Tap into your emotional intelligence
It is crucial to approach conversations about chronic illness with care and empathy, as you never know how someone is coping that day/week/month. This means being aware of the words you use and not making any assumptions or mindlessly regurgitating any stereotypes. Instead, be patient, learn from what your colleague has to say and ask questions where you aren’t sure (it’s ALWAYS better than making blasé comments.)
Be accommodating
Those with unseen disabilities should have wiggle room when it comes to how and where they work (within reason, of course). Remember, not one size fits all and if the pandemic taught us anything, it’s that remote working does work!
Here at Imperium Solutions, we believe in equal opportunities for all and hope this blog helps promote positive change in your place of work.
Looking for your next gig? Give our experienced recruiters a call on 0208 929 4000 today to learn more about our current project vacancies for Adult and Children's services.
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