Living with a disability and going to work at the same time every day can sometimes be tiring and challenging. So, when you get there, naturally, you do not want to encounter any more problems along the way. This includes physical barriers in your workplace.
This is where workplace wheelchairs and other items come in. It is crucial to ensure that we have tools to help us get on with our day-to-day lives. Workplace wheelchairs, for instance, can help those who are suffering from paralysis and the like.
If you are looking for ways to improve the wheelchairs in your workplace and make them more accessible to your employees, you have found the right article. Here, we will be answering the most important question: Are your workplace wheelchairs accessible?
And if they are not, well, do not worry, for we will give you tips and tricks on making it more welcoming for those who need the extra support.
Hearing your employees out
While making your workplace wheelchairs more accessible, one aspect to note is your employees. This entails paying attention to what they have to say. What are they worried about in terms of the working environment? Is there anything about their surroundings that they are concerned about, such as physical barriers? It is simpler to proceed and begin once you have found their primary source of concern.
Make a list of their proposals and compare them with your suggestions. If your thoughts coincide with theirs, there is a better likelihood that these ideas will succeed. It is critical to pay attention to your staff, as they have just as much input as you would. Although they may not be in charge of everything, their ideas are important and should be acknowledged.
#1 Take note of your wheelchair’s lifespan
We can all agree that wheelchairs are pretty helpful to a lot of people. They provide us with so many perks, which is why many people turn to this appliance. However, like all other items, they also have a life span.
Wheelchairs can only live up to 2 to 3 years and a maximum of 5 years if you are using manual wheelchairs. So, you have to be aware of how long your wheelchair has been there. If it has been more than the lifespan or is somewhat close to it, then maybe you should consider buying a new one.
Upgrades are essential as having an old and torn wheelchair can lead up to more accidents and, in the end, can hurt your employees rather than help them. Companies like keepmovingcare.com can help you with providing mobility aids to your employees.
#2 Are your wheelchairs easy to push?
While most wheelchairs are easy to push, it is also important to get some feedback about this from the employees who use them. Is it easy for them to use? Would it be better if they had a much lighter wheelchair?
Chances are, there wouldn’t be anyone who could be able to move them while they get to work. So, you have to keep in mind if they are having some difficulties operating it themselves. If you are looking for wheelchairs that are easy to push, one suggestion that you should try looking for would be a scootaround wheelchair. If this is over your company’s budget, then you can opt to ask your employee what standard wheelchair is good for them.
#3 Is your workplace wheelchair-friendly?
Of course, wheelchairs are pretty helpful. However, it can be deemed more stressful for your employees if the environment is not on their side. This includes physical barriers in your workplace.
For wheelchairs to work, you have to make sure that the place supports them. Take a look around your site. Are there ramps that make your wheelchair accessible? Are there elevators available? Is the corridor-wide enough for the wheelchairs to smoothly pass through?
Asking yourself questions like these can help you make a better decision to improve your workplace’s wheelchair and make them more accessible for all.
Summary
Figuring out how to make your employees more comfortable can sometimes be a bit difficult. This is because we are not sure what exactly they need. This is why it is important to reach out to your employees who are using these. With their help, you are more likely to make changes for the better.
With that said, if you are still looking for accessible workplace wheelchairs, then you can always try looking at keepmovingcare.com. On their website, they would be assisting you with anything you need regarding accessible workplace items, home items, and much more.
Wrapping this up, we hope that you have learned something informative about this article and were able to make the necessary and good changes in your workplace.