How easy is it to move around and work in your office? Accessibility in the workplace is crucial yet often overlooked. Making small changes to the layout and furniture of your office can make a huge difference to those with disabilities or additional requirements.
What is accessibility in the workplace?
A workplace with suitable accessibility is where everyone can enter and work safely.
Providing your employees with reasonable adjustments is the law; you shouldn’t wait until someone asks for these adjustments to be implemented. Being one step ahead and supplying adjustments as standard can make it easier for current and future employees, and visiting clients, needing a different setup.
In this post, we’ve explained ways to increase accessibility within your office, resulting in happier staff and a happier work environment.
Space
An incredibly important part of making your office accessible is ensuring there is enough space. Can a wheelchair, or someone with crutches, fit easily in the desk aisles and office routes? If not, then you should consider rearranging the office plan.
Ensure there is nothing causing obstructions in walkways that might make it hard for some to navigate. This could include something as simple as the leaves of a large office plant. Knocking aside a giant monstera leaf might seem simple to some, but it could cause problems for someone struggling with mobility.
Sit Stand desks
Standing desks are a brilliant option for increasing accessibility within your office space. Height adjustable, these desks aid mobility for anyone experiencing stiffness, or those that find sitting desk hard to navigate around and under.
Height-adjustable desks like the Herman Miller Atlas Desk are a great option for wheelchair users, giving them a space where they can work comfortably without the need to switch to an office chair or sit at a desk that is too difficult to adjust. Providing people with a flexible working environment can go a long way in terms of employee motivation and productivity.
Ergonomic chairs
Sitting comfortably at work is not just about posture. The type of office chair you’re sitting on can make a huge difference in how you feel physically and mentally. Ergonomic chairs provide support and cushioning that can potentially make the day more comfortable for those with chronic pain and other physical illnesses who are able to sit in office chairs.
If you're looking for a truly exceptional chair that supports everyday movements, the Herman Miller Aeron Chair is your go-to seating solution. This chair continuously evolves in line with user feedback to improve its function and comfort, making it an ideal model for those who need further support when seated. The Aeron Chair also comes in three sizes, fitting 99% of the population for those who may need a smaller or larger chair.
Alternatively, the Embody chair is a notable choice, with its innovative design inspired by the human spine. Engineered to support the user’s body throughout prolonged periods of work time, this chair can often be ideal for those who require a good support system for their back.
Herman Miller aren’t the only leading manufacturer creating groundbreaking ergonomic chairs; Humanscale also excel in this area. The Humanscale Freedom range features a gel cushion, offering slight rigidity whilst conforming to the shape of your body, ensuring you are supported but comfortable. This can be useful for those needing firmer support.
Office pods
This one may seem like an unusual suggestion when it comes to accessibility in the workplace, but office pods are ideal for those who struggle with sensory triggers. These can include telephones, music, and general office noise. Providing a quieter space for employees to use is a great way to ensure more accessibility.
Make your space more accessible with OFS
Accessibility within the workplace is a necessity and should be considered even if you only have visibly able-bodied employees. Your workspace should be inclusive of everyone, no matter who is currently on your team. The office needs to accommodate the employees, not the other way around.
If you’d like to take the first step in creating a more accessible workspace, browse our range of office furniture or call 0845 0737230. We can help you identify the right furniture for your employees' needs.
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