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The warehousing industry is facing increasing labor shortages, but many facilities have neglected to prepare and willing labor. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, only 19.3% of people with disabilities currently have a job. At the same time, 877.4 thousand disabled people are actively looking for work.

These workers can help warehouses increase productivity, but first they need to make the facilities easier to use. Accessibility issues are common in the industry, and they hinder the recruitment of these enthusiastic employers. With this in mind, here are seven ways to make it easier for people with disabilities to enter the warehouse.

Mobile computers are some of the most important tools in the warehousing business. Although they are essential to work, many facilities may not be able to make full use of them. Their default settings may limit their accessibility, leading to errors and inefficiency.

For example, the text on the display of these devices is usually very small, and the scanning distance is also very short. This can make it difficult for visually impaired workers to read correctly and cause discomfort for people with limited mobility. Using a computer with a longer scanning distance and customizing it to display larger text will solve these problems.

Text-to-speech options, high-contrast display, and customizable color coding are other personalization settings that can make these tools more useful. When they are easier to use for more workers, picking and related processes will speed up.

Another way to make warehouses more accessible is to use automated systems. Certain tasks, such as picking up goods from high shelves or moving heavy objects, may be too laborious for some workers. At least partially automating them can open up these tasks to a wider workforce.

Musculoskeletal diseases (MSD) account for one-third of all workers’ injuries and illnesses and usually result from overwork. If workers’ disabilities limit their mobility, they are at higher risk of these injuries. Automation may lead to MSD processes that will make the workplace safer and more efficient.

Automated guided vehicles or electric forklifts can also help disabled workers move materials throughout the warehouse. As an added benefit, these technologies make the workflow faster and more accessible.

Some facilities may need to reorganize or redesign their racking systems. If the items are too high or too low, the staff may need to bend over or reach over to retrieve them. Although some exercises can increase flexibility by 25%, these movements are still dangerous, especially for disabled workers.

The most frequently selected item should be between waist height and chest height. In this way, the staff can reach them without overstretching. Shelves can use an automatic retrieval system to grab higher items to make full use of the vertical space. Alternatively, the facility can implement mezzanine shelves.

It may also be helpful to move the mobile shelves according to the specific needs of employees to meet their specific needs, although these shelves may be more expensive.

Utilizing vertical space is one of the best ways to optimize warehouse layout, but it brings a problem. Stairs are an obstacle for workers with some disabilities, so they restrict who can access which items. Therefore, they may hinder the productivity of the facility and prevent it from getting the most benefit from the entire workforce.

Stairs are inevitable, but the warehouse can replace some of them with ramps. Some facilities can also be equipped with elevators. These options are easier to access, allowing any worker to have access to higher-level projects when necessary.

In addition to making warehouses easier to reach, driving along slopes is usually faster. They also allow more vehicles to pass between levels, thereby increasing the efficiency of automation.

If the warehouse has company vehicles for employees to use, they should consider wheelchair-friendly options. If not every employee can drive these cars, then their usefulness is limited. Adding at least one wheelchair-friendly vehicle will make them more useful.

In today's market, warehouses also have many vehicles suitable for wheelchair users. The company can equip most vehicles with manual controls, and there are multiple systems to help wheelchair users get into the driver's seat.

Having a barrier-free company vehicle can also improve employee morale. When employees show that they appreciate their workplace, they are more productive. The warehouse and its workers will benefit from these changes.

Picking is usually one of the least efficient processes in a warehouse. Likewise, it is also one of the most frequently inaccessible places for disabled workers. One way to solve this problem is to use multiple systems to meet everyone's needs.

As mentioned earlier, some mobile computer monitors can be difficult to read. Pick-to-light systems can replace text-based solutions, guiding workers to find the right items without having to read a small screen that may be low-contrast. These systems can also increase the picking rate by 30%-50%, so they have many advantages.

Voice picking system is another option. Providing voice, lighting, and traditional systems will allow employees to use the method that suits them best. In this way, employees can work efficiently no matter what situation they encounter.

Many warehouses reduce aisle space to accommodate more shelves. However, this may prevent certain disabled workers from using facilities. Keeping it open can make traffic smoother and easier to pick.

If the aisle is too narrow, if there are other employees, employees in wheelchairs may not be able to pass. Similarly, those who need to use robotic aids may have no leeway. By making the aisle wider, it will be easier for anyone and machines to pass, thereby eliminating this obstacle.

Wider aisles also allow workers to pick up goods from low or high shelves without taking up as many paths as possible. In this way, more employees can touch objects without affecting the efficiency of others.

When warehouses become more accessible, they can welcome more disabled workers. This is beneficial to both parties, providing people with a source of income, while helping employers overcome persistent labor shortages. Facilities that already have disabled employees also help prevent injuries and improve work efficiency.

Changes like this allow employees to work more efficiently and safely. As a result, overall morale and productivity will increase. No matter what the warehouse’s workforce is now, improving accessibility can increase their efficiency.

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