How to Support Colleagues When Lifts Fail

Sometimes just getting to your desk can be the biggest challenge of the day. As a wheelchair user, I experience more barriers then most to simply do my job. This week has reminded me that we need to collectively do better, to ensure all colleagues can safely get to work. Lifts breakdown, disabled toilets need maintenance work, and sometimes that restricts access. However, there needs to be direct and clear communication to those affected on when the issues will be fixed.

Without this, people are left isolated from colleagues, made to feel excluded from work and are left believing they are more of an inconvenience to the company then a valued employee.

Yes, I could have stayed at home.

Yes, I could have waited for it to be fixed.

But I just wanted to do my job.

This is not an angry post about inaccessible workplaces, because my team were just as annoyed as I was, and the company tried to get the issue fixed quickly.

This a post to say that if facilities are temporary inaccessible to colleagues, do not just leave them at the bottom of the stairs alone or isolated at home.

Here are a few examples of how people have made me feel included when things go wrong:

• Moved to a desk space where we can sit together.

• Provided regular updates on the issues and chased for progress.

• Ensured I had the correct IT equipment to work from home (if necessary).

• Simply checked in and asked if there was anything they could do.

Life is unpredictable, particularly lifts. But it’s how you support others when things fail that truly matters...

With Love,

Meg