making the working environment better place to be — Scope | Disability forum
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making the working environment better place to be

katrina_m
katrina_m Community member Posts: 6 Listener
I am looking to start up my own business, being disabled my self I have found it hard to find work. I am wanting to employ people with disabilities to work in an office environment. our bodies may not work well but our minds are still ticking over. so I want to focus more on qualification and skills. I want to be mindful of the people I employ to make sure that they feel safe and comfortable. please let me know as an employer how I could make work-life easier for a disabled person. all types of disabilities can be discussed. any advice would be of great help to me so I can provide better. thankyou inadvance
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Comments

  • leeCal
    leeCal Community member Posts: 7,550 Disability Gamechanger
    I have no specific suggestions but I wanted to wish you luck with your plans, a great idea! 

    “This is my simple religion. No need for temples. No need for complicated philosophy. Your own mind, your own heart is the temple. Your philosophy is simple kindness.” 
    ― Dalai Lama XIV

  • janer1967
    janer1967 Community member Posts: 21,964 Disability Gamechanger
    Hi and welcome 

    A few suggestions 

    Have a occupational health provider available for work place assessments 

    Make sure employees are aware of access to work help towards any additional costs 

    Discuss each person's needs and have reasonable adjustments implemented and documented 

    Make sure each person is trained in their role and gets regular performance reviews 

    Office fully accessible to all and equipped 

    Clear evacuation plans taking all needs into account 

    Will update when I have more time 

    Good luck 
  • katrina_m
    katrina_m Community member Posts: 6 Listener
    thankyou for that janer1967 any further help will be welcomed as I want to get it right from the get-go.
  • Sandy_123
    Sandy_123 Scope Member Posts: 46,788 Disability Gamechanger
    Hi @katrina_m what type of business are you opening? Sounds good and best of luck
  • katrina_m
    katrina_m Community member Posts: 6 Listener
    lifeskills. teaching all ages how to survive after school has finished before entering that big scary world, also within the home. I am sure a lot of us could have done with this when we were in school, but the schools don't even have the time to teach the basics as they are focused on the curriculum and performance. from teaching the basics and further. I know I could have done with this in school. For most of my life I have helped so many people that have become a big help to them, they have continued to use. I am wanting to help people on a larger scale and give people like myself a chance to get back into work without the worry that my disability will get in the way of employment. I feel its a win-win for all.
  • Sandy_123
    Sandy_123 Scope Member Posts: 46,788 Disability Gamechanger
    Well good luck with it, you will need to do police checks on staff. If working with children. Sounds interesting though 
  • katrina_m
    katrina_m Community member Posts: 6 Listener
    Username_removed.the location I have found and ticks all the boxes just need the funding to rent the office space. 
    easy on transport plenty of places to eat and drink, if work gets too much and you need a break there is a lovely walk and view also the cinema and shopping complex. media city is a great place to have an office here. also, you get to rub shoulder with the tv personalities that may be around when filming 
  • Ross_Alumni
    Ross_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 7,652 Disability Gamechanger
    katrina_m said:
    lifeskills. teaching all ages how to survive after school has finished before entering that big scary world, also within the home. I am sure a lot of us could have done with this when we were in school, but the schools don't even have the time to teach the basics as they are focused on the curriculum and performance. from teaching the basics and further. I know I could have done with this in school. For most of my life I have helped so many people that have become a big help to them, they have continued to use. I am wanting to help people on a larger scale and give people like myself a chance to get back into work without the worry that my disability will get in the way of employment. I feel its a win-win for all.
    Definitely could have done with something like this in school. Best of luck :) 
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  • Lisatho11987777
    Lisatho11987777 Scope Member Posts: 5,911 Disability Gamechanger
    Good luck hope all goes well @janer1967 you should start your own business  I think that you have a good head for it you could be a business advisor I think you would be good x
  • janer1967
    janer1967 Community member Posts: 21,964 Disability Gamechanger
    @katrina_m

    The job centre have programmes for people wanting to set up in business and disability advisors so you might get some guidance from them 

    Also chamber of commerce might have some info

    You might want initially to find a mentor or expert that can help you set up as there are so many implications and regulations when setting up and employing people much more than just being self employed as you will be responsible for other people 

    Health and safety 
    Policies and procedures 
    Insurance 
    Payroll   tax and ni 

    Just to name a few 

    You say you want to set up an office but then said you want to teach life skills etc so I'm a bit confused 

    If you employ people what will they be doing? 

  • janer1967
    janer1967 Community member Posts: 21,964 Disability Gamechanger
    @lisathomas50
    Thanks for the comment I don't think I could be a business adviser lol 

    I did consider being a hr consultant after my 30 years in hr

    Helping small businesses who don't have hr depts and writing or reviewing policies and procedures which I spent a lot of years doing too 

    Maybe give it some thought 


  • Lisatho11987777
    Lisatho11987777 Scope Member Posts: 5,911 Disability Gamechanger
    @janer1967 I think you should be a hr consultant  you are very talented and have knowledge that you can share to help others I think you would be good at both jobs 

    It would be a big achievement  and would help many people and small business  I belive that you can do it ?
  • Caz_Alumni
    Caz_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 621 Pioneering
    This sounds like a great initiative @katrina_m :)

    Plus, I can see there's lots of really good feedback from the community already coming through for you. 

    All the best with it! As with any new business, persistence, determination, a bit of grit and sometimes a lot of luck(!!) are key to making a go of it in the longer-term. I wish you every success with whatever you decide to do - and I hope you really enjoy the process of setting up in business for yourself, as well :)
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  • katrina_m
    katrina_m Community member Posts: 6 Listener
    thankyou everyone for your input. I will take all into consideration. the information that you have all provided has been very helpful. be looking forward to when this company goes live. if any ones else has any other suggestions please let me know as there is no wrong answers just finding the right way to put things in place
  • chiarieds
    chiarieds Community member Posts: 16,007 Disability Gamechanger
    Hi @katrina_m - I don't know if you've looked at the resources available on the government's website. Please see:  https://www.gov.uk/government/news/what-support-is-available-for-my-small-business
    The Federation of Small Businesses may also be of interest. Please see: https://www.fsb.org.uk/    or
  • katrina_m
    katrina_m Community member Posts: 6 Listener
    chiarieds i have taken a look at that thankyou. it is hard to get it right now with this covid19 everywhere closed but I am on their list for a callback once things are open properly for business. 

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