Workplace inclusivity means making the physical workspace of a company or building usable and welcoming for everyone. It focuses on the company's own site and the equipment in it, so in some contexts working from home is not part of it.
Assistive or adaptive technologies are devices or software that help a particular member of staff do their job. Workspace adaptations change the physical workspace, including the building and furniture, so more people can use it. Both cost money, so employers should decide what to buy or build based on real needs rather than personal choice.
| Type | What it does | Example | Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assistive/adaptive technology | Helps one person use equipment or complete a task | A hearing loop in a meeting room | Costs money, so buy based on needs, not personal preference |
| Workspace adaptation | Changes the physical workspace so more people can get in and move around | A ramp at the entrance, a lift between floors | Can be expensive and disrupt work while it is carried out |
For example, a ramp at the entrance lets a staff member who uses a wheelchair start work without needing help. A specialist keyboard may cost far more than a standard one, so guessing at what someone needs wastes money and still leaves them struggling.
A diverse workspace employs staff from different ethnic backgrounds, LGBT+ people, and people of different ages, religions and genders. This mix brings a wider range of experience and ideas, and it helps everyone feel that they belong.
Employers should also involve staff in decisions about the workspace. Staff know their own needs best, so asking which entrance is easiest to use, or which furniture would help, means money goes on changes that actually work.
Treating staff with respect and equally means everyone gets the same opportunities, whoever they are. For instance, training should be open to part-time as well as full-time staff, and celebrations from different religions should be treated as equally important.
Flexible working hours are another way to make a workplace inclusive.
Pearson BTEC Digital Information Technology · Accessibility