Automation and other advanced technologies are enabling manufacturing companies to be more efficient, productive, and cost effective, while also reducing barriers and making it easier than ever for manufacturers to hire workers they may have not previously considered.
Start with 鈥淐an-do鈥�
鈥淲e've got to start thinking about the skills people with disabilities bring to the table and the work that they can do, especially using existing technology in many manufacturing facilities. It opens up new careers that can help address the employee shortage in manufacturing,鈥� says , director of communications at , a service and advocacy center for people with disabilities in Chicago.
According to a , if employers embraced disability inclusion, U.S. companies would gain access to a new talent pool of more than 10.7 million people.
During a workshop presentation at , Hayman was part of a panel discussion that highlighted manufacturers鈥� successes in leveraging technology to address accessibility in the work environment.鈥疶he discussion was led by , vice president of , which provides workforce development services for manufacturers. MxD, alongside several partners such as Access Living and the , is currently developing Learn and Earn, a program that educates and supports manufacturers that hire people with disabilities. Results of that pilot program will be shared in 2024.
Capitalize on Automation
The term 鈥渄isability鈥� is a broad term, legally defined under the as any mental or physical impairment that impacts one or more major life activity. Many disabilities, especially cognitive and mental challenges, are not readily apparent compared to seeing someone who is deaf, blind, or in a wheelchair.
鈥淲ith such a wide variety of disabilities, we need to think more about universal design and how to use technology to make manufacturing workspaces more accommodating for everyone to do their job well,鈥� Hayman says. 鈥淚t's not necessarily about accommodating one person with a specific type of disability.鈥�
Automation technology already in use provides an easier environment for people with disabilities. For example, a person with limited mobility or restricted hand control may be able to operate a machine with a touchscreen interface and work alongside cobots to load and unload parts.
GenMet Rethinks its Welding Booths
One manufacturer is already making accommodations to promote accessible workplaces: in Mequon, Wisconsin. When one of the company鈥檚 welders was severely injured in a snowmobile accident and left paralyzed from the waist down, he thought his career was over.
Eventually the welder returned to his job at GenMet, and Company President Mary Isbister was happy to welcome him back. Working with the rest of the welding team, GenMet modified a welding booth to accommodate a wheelchair with a height-adjustable table, overhead jib cranes to handler larger parts, and a different organization system for parts and tools to be more readily accessible. The worker is back to his usual level of productivity and quality.
鈥淚t wasn鈥檛 that difficult, and we didn鈥檛 spend a lot of money to make those accommodations to the welding booth,鈥� Isbister says. 鈥淎t that point, we knew that if we could accommodate one person with a disability, we knew we could do it with multiple people.鈥�
Rethinking Clerical Work
GenMet has hired individuals with intellectual disabilities to do administrative tasks, which just required some extra fixturing on the filing system for easier access and clarity. Over the years, GenMet has hired a number of individuals with intellectual disabilities in which no physical adaptations were required, but needed modifications to the way information is shared.
鈥淭hey have a certain way of processing information, so we give them projects individually instead of an entire week鈥檚 work. Then they can focus on the immediate task,鈥� Isbister adds. 鈥淚n fact, one of these team members is so focused that he鈥檚 perfect for helping the rest of the team on more complex work that requires great precision. They call him in when they need help on tricky jobs.鈥�
GenMet hopes to continue hiring more workers with a range of disabilities because the company has witnessed a population of people that are committed to their work and productive additions to the shop.
鈥淥ur employees with disabilities show up every day and work hard. They don't take the work for granted,鈥� Isbister says. 鈥淭hey understand that we鈥檙e happy to make the accommodations to have them on staff, and we want them to feel completely part of the team, no matter what.鈥�
Resources
For guidance on how to make job accommodations for workers with disabilities, visit the .
Read real-life case studies about accommodating workers in manufacturing settings, visit the .
To learn about tax benefits for smaller companies that have employees with disabilities, visit the .
