The number of disabled people is rising, this will continue as people are working for longer. I have previously posted about how employers underestimate the number of employees with disabilities   (Companies Underestimate Number of Disabled Employees). With 1 in 4 people having a disability, it is inevitable that you have disabled people within your team and organisation.

I found this research interesting, showing that teams with disabled members lead by disabled manage performed 3% better than teams with managers without disabilities. The research found that in part, this is because the workers found the manager more approachable, accommodating and understanding of their needs. It also found that for some disabled workers, staying on the same task for longer was more efficient for them. 

Accommodations for some disabled users, such as tactile marking bins for placing products into, provided a benefit to all workers. This is aligned with my experience of being disabled, the accommodations I need often benefit others, and by creating more inclusive workplaces, we will all benefit. The linked article includes a podcast episode which provides more information on the research and is worth a listen.

As the workforce ages and the level of disability increases, the companies that create a culture of inclusion, provide pathways for disabled employees to progress and create a sense of belonging will outperform the competition.