How-to
Prioritizing disability inclusion in the hiring process
Tips and best practices for employers interested in attracting and hiring more disabled job candidates
Disability inclusion at work is important – and that extends to creating an inclusive hiring process for disabled job candidates, from the job postings to the interviews.
Disability can feel like an uncomfortable topic: Are there qualified candidates with disabilities who can do this job? What’s it like to interview a candidate who is blind or visually impaired? Are there things you shouldn’t say? What kind of behavior is the candidate expecting from you?
These tips can help employers overcome discomfort to find the candidate that’s right for the job.
Attracting more disabled job candidates
So what can you do to bring more disabled candidates to your organization? Consider these tips for expanding your reach.
- Look beyond employee referrals – while they can be a reliable source for candidates, they may also inhibit diversity.
- State your commitment to inclusion on your company’s career website.
- Work with local and state agencies to source candidates with disabilities.
- Expand your job posting presence beyond the mainstream channels – try a diversity-focused job board.
- Loosen restrictions on your applicant-tracking systems. Are you screening out candidates for unnecessary qualifications like driver’s licenses?
Interviewing disabled job candidates
- Don’t ask about the disability/diagnosis. Instead, focus on whether the candidate can perform all the required job functions, tasks, and/or duties listed, with or without accommodation.
- Operate under the presumption that the candidate can do the job until they prove otherwise.
- Create a welcoming environment for disclosure. State your company’s commitment to hiring people of all backgrounds and abilities during the interview process.
- Use person-first language (e.g. “a person who is blind” vs. “blind person”)
- If the candidate is blind or visually impaired, always identify yourself and introduce who is present. Offer to guide them and give verbal cues and directions. Blindness is a spectrum – some people may navigate using a cane or a dog, while others may have enough usable vision to navigate independently.
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