How to Share your Disability Needs with your Employer

Disability needs are super important. It can feel really daunting to ask your employer for extra help, but advocating for yourself doesn’t mean asking for special treatment, it’s all about making your job more accessible. 

Remember, your workplace is supposed to help. You have every right to ask for support.

Need a little help? No worries. Read on to find out more about the types of needs you might have and how to ask for them:

• Why you might need extra support
• How to identify what you need
• How to approach the conversation

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Why you might need extra support

There are many reasons why you might seek extra support at work. Whether you need physical adjustments to your working space or tech to help you complete certain tasks, here are a couple of examples that might fit you:

Accessibility Barriers. These can be both physical and digital barriers. Physical barriers can take place in the workplace, like inaccessible desks or no ramps. Digital barriers can be difficulty using a laptop or not having the space to work from home.  

Health and Medical Needs. If you have any health conditions, like chronic pain or fatigue, or if you require regular medical appointments. 

Communication Challenges. If you struggle or can’t communicate in ‘typical’ ways, like having a hearing impairment or are dyslexic. 

Sensory Sensitivities. If you struggle with overstimulation like from having autism, PTSD, ADHD, etc. 

Mental Health and Wellbeing. If you experience anxiety, depression or other mental health challenges that affect your ability to work productively.

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Being open about your disability can improve your workplace for you and your future colleagues. Read to find out why.

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How to identify what you need

It’s important to know what you’re going to ask for before you approach your workplace.

Think of what can better support you. Is it assistive technology like text-to-speech synthesisers, flexible working arrangements or something else? Let’s look at some examples:

• Flexible working arrangements. This can take many forms. From more flexible working times to remote working. These can be good for many different disabilities to ensure that you can work comfortably. 
• Screen readers. This is software that turns text into speech and can help you obtain information more quickly. These are great for both visual and reading impairments.  
• Closed captioning. This can support you if you have a hearing impairment. For example, being able to read what’s going on during a meeting. Services such as Zoom and Skype have this already, and there are apps and add-ons you can install to create live closed captions during online meetings. 
• Accessibly work environment. If you use a wheelchair or other mobility aids, making sure that you can access the work environment is important. This could be accessible restrooms, parking, and desks that work alongside your mobility aid.

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How to approach the conversation

Once you’ve established what you want and how it will support you, you need to find out who can make it happen.

Remember that employee handbook you read through when you first started? Go back and read it! It’ll have all the information you need about asking for assistance. Your workplace actually might have lots in place already.

If you’re still unsure, speak to your manager or HR.

Depending on what your guide or manager/HR says, you might need to put in a formal request. Here’s how;

In an email

Hi [NAME],

I hope this email finds you well!

I’m writing to request X to better maintain my productivity and fulfil my responsibilities. Specifically, I would like to request X [for example, more flexible working hours such as working from home 3 days a week].

I’ve considered how this change would affect my current workload and I believe this addition would allow me to [the benefit from you receiving this]. 

Please let me know if my request can be accommodated or if you have any further questions. 

Thank you for considering my request and your support.

Kind regards,

[your name]

In a meeting.

Make sure you’re clear about what you want, and explain it from a place of how this will help you and the company improve.

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Unsure how to positively position your disability to your company? We’ve got you…

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Although these conversations can feel tricky. They don’t have to be! It’s so important to push for what you need in the workplace.

Know what you want and how it can support you. It’ll only make your workplace much better for you and for future employees.

Still have questions? Head over to MyPlus Consulting to find out more about disability-confident employers. 

Good luck!