The Inclusive Workplace
Interactive micro-learning tools for employees and job seekers on the autism spectrum or with an intellectual disability, and for employers about making workplaces more accessible with universal design.
Brief
What's the Inclusive Workplace?
COVID-19 caused workplace environments to change overnight, and it impacted all employees in different ways. Many people were able to adapt and work from home, while others lost their jobs entirely. For individuals on the autism spectrum or with an intellectual disability, these changes had their own unique and complex impacts, and few resources currently exist to support these individuals in the workplace.
Inclusion Canada and the Canadian Autism Spectrum Disorder Alliance (CASDA) created The Inclusive Workplace (TIW) to support job seekers and employees on the autism spectrum or with an intellectual disability. TIW also supports businesses and employment agencies to build inclusive workplaces.
For this project, Great Minds was brought in by Leah Chang Learning to create three interactive micro-learning tools to be included on the TIW website and in various training materials — one for employees and job seekers on the autism spectrum or with an intellectual disability, and two for employers about making workplaces more accessible with universal design. To ensure the resource could be accessed across Canada and by as many individuals as possible, we developed both English and French versions of each of the resources.
Planning for Work During COVID-19 and Beyond
Planning for Work During COVID-19 and Beyond was created to help employees and individuals searching for employment determine whether or not they should work, or search for work, during COVID-19. The tool was designed specifically for neurodiverse self-advocates, job seekers and employees on the autism spectrum or with intellectual disabilities.
The interactive infographic is laid out like a map, with various stops along the way that present questions for employees or job seekers to ask themselves when deciding whether or not they can, or should, work. The tool is intended to be used with a person the user trusts and is intended to spark conversations about the different considerations one might have when planning for work.
Try out the interaction here.
Accommodations in Action
Accommodations are adjustments to the workplace that help employers tap into the full potential of their employees. They are part of an inclusive workplace. Accommodations in Action is designed to help employers understand what accommodations are by showing them examples of them by action. The aim of this tool is to help employers ensure their workplaces are accessible and comfortable for all employees, including those on the autism spectrum or with intellectual disabilities.
For this infographic, we used highlighted photos to show examples of what accommodations can look like, and how they can be implemented into the workplace. We focused on highlighting diverse examples— rather than prescribing solutions — because accommodations are specific to each workplace and circumstance.
Try out the interaction here.
Universal Design
Universal design means creating experiences and environments that can be accessed, used, and enjoyed by all people, to the greatest extent possible. We developed the Universal Design interactive infographic to help employers better understand universal design and the ways that employers can improve workplace environments by:
- thinking ahead,
- planning with all in mind,
- and considering the needs of all.
For this infographic, we incorporated animated videos created by Hot Neon Productions and a tab interaction to explain universal design in different scenarios, highlighting the way it can be implemented and its benefits to employees.