Q. Companies are hiring people with disabilities vigorously. What are the challenges in managing a diverse workforce inclusive of disabled persons?
A. Some of the challenges include:
1. Sensitising the existing workforce to the idea of being around and supporting disabled employees.
2. Ensuring the office infrastructure is disabled-friendly.
3. Ensuring normal employees do not hold prejudice against disabled employees or treat them differently. They do not need special treatment, they only want equal treatment. I am saying this from personal experience, being a disabled person myself.
Q. There is a perception that people with disabilities make good, dependable employees. What do you think?
A. Employers have started to realise that it does not take any extraordinary effort to manage them. Organisations have also realised the potential of this untapped talent pool and are making efforts to harness it. Since invariably every disabled person goes through a lot of difficulties in establishing his or her identity, he or she tends to be more dependable and engaged.
Q. What are the main qualities that managers must demonstrate while dealing with their disabled staff members?
A. Managing a disabled employee needs a unique combination of empathy and willingness to anticipate their needs. Managers must have good listening skills, because disabled people are generally very articulate and their commitment to task is overwhelmingly high.
Q. What is the scenario in India when it comes to hiring the disabled persons?
A. The concept of Equal Employment Employer (EEE) is still at a nascent stage in India, but some organisations have started a hiring approach in this direction lately. Although there is a lot to be done to reach a stage of optimum utilisation of this hugely untapped talent pool, steps are being taken.
