New and emerging technologies are revolutionizing warehouse operations. Some organizations are using these innovations to improve access and make their workplaces safer and more productive for workers who self-identify as disabled. This proactive approach fosters a more inclusive environment and improves job retention rates, benefiting employers and employees.
As we approach Global Accessibility Awareness Day on May 16, let’s highlight the importance of accessibility and strive towards a future where every individual, regardless of ability, has equal opportunities in the workplace.
Continuous Warehouse Labor Challenges
With eCommerce reaching unprecedented levels, the demand for warehouse labor has never been higher. Yet, many warehouses and distribution centers struggle to attract and retain talent, leading some companies to create opportunities and shift towards addressing historically overlooked groups.
According to Cornell’s DisabilityStatistics.org, more than 11.5 million Americans with disabilities were unemployed yet were actively looking for work in 2022. Embracing technology to implement disability inclusion initiatives can help warehouses tap into this pool of potential workers, boosting overall productivity and efficiency.
Advantages of Hiring Overlooked Talent
Warehouses nationwide are already reaping the benefits of hiring individuals with disabilities. James Emmett & Company, known for its work with major corporations like PepsiCo, Walgreens, Advance Auto Parts, and UPS, has been instrumental in promoting inclusive labor practices.
For instance, Advance Auto Parts has expanded its recruitment efforts to include more workers with disabilities at its distribution centers nationwide. As of 2022, the company has hired more than 360 workers with autism, hearing impairments, or deafness through the program.
According to James Emmet & Company, “The benefits of tapping into this underutilized talent pool include improved performance, productivity, workplace safety, enhanced brand loyalty, reduced turnover rates, potential financial incentives, and a higher return on investment in employees.”
Harnessing Technology to Support Disabled Warehouse Workers
While warehouse jobs may traditionally be perceived as physically demanding and potentially hazardous, data shows that workers with disabilities excel in such environments, often exhibiting lower turnover rates and better safety records compared to their non-disabled counterparts.
Warehouses can leverage automated solutions to make tasks more suitable for disabled workers. Here are some ways your business can support disabled workers in a warehouse or distribution center environment:
Reconfigure Shelving
It’s common for warehouses to struggle with inefficient design, meaning the shelving or product storage layout isn’t optimized for maximum productivity. Reconfiguring your shelving can address this issue, making warehouses more accessible.
A good practice is placing the most frequently accessed products in the easiest places to reach and on shelves that don’t require workers to reach or bend over. You can also use mobile shelves that adjust to meet workers according to their specific needs.
Aisle Accessibility
Many warehouses have begun reducing their aisle space to increase shelving for inventory. However, this strategy can make facilities less accessible for disabled workers. Maintaining wider aisles accommodates wheelchairs and facilitates smoother operations for workers and robotic systems without creating safety hazards.
Alternative Access
There’s nothing wrong with taking advantage of your warehouse’s vertical space, but you’ll want to consider how you’ll access the items stored on the highest shelves. Overall, stairways are not accessible to people with mobility problems. Fortunately, there are alternatives.
To ensure accessibility across all warehouse levels, replace stairs with ramps, elevators, or lifts. These options allow workers and automation tools to access different levels faster and safer.
Adapted Transportation
Warehouses can be massive spaces where employees must move from one end to another just to start or end a shift. You can make your warehouse more accessible by reconfiguring some of the company vehicles to be wheelchair-friendly.
Just because a worker needs a wheelchair doesn’t mean they cannot operate heavy machinery. You can also outfit things like forklifts and other heavy equipment so they can be operated solely by hand.
Robotic Automaton
Another way to improve warehouse accessibility for workers with disabilities is to leverage robotic automation solutions. Some tasks, like picking and packing, may be too physically demanding for these workers, but automating a portion of them can make them safer and more efficient, opening them up to a broader workforce.
Warehouses can integrate automated solutions such as automated guided vehicles (AGVs), which can move items throughout the warehouse without requiring workers to do any heavy lifting. Robotic assist devices can minimize barriers for employees with mobility issues by reducing the distance they must walk daily.
Utilize Mobile Workstations
On average, a typical warehouse worker walks several miles daily, going back and forth to pick products, store inventory, or collect instructions from a central data location. This is a lot to ask of any employee, especially those with physical limitations.
Implementing mobile workstations reduces physical strain, enhances efficiency, and makes jobs more attractive to workers of every shape, size, and background. Employees can use these versatile tools anywhere in the warehouse.
Diverse Picking Options
Picking is one of the most time-consuming and inefficient processes in a warehouse. It’s also one of the most inaccessible for disabled workers. However, the right processes and technology solutions can make it more accessible.
Enabling multiple picking options, such as pick-to-light systems, where a worker is visually guided to products, is ideal for employees with hearing disabilities. Voice-picking systems are another option for workers with other limitations.
A Bright Future Ahead For Disabled Warehouse Workers
The Bureau of Labor Statistics has reported that people with disabilities are less likely to be employed than those without disabilities. However, the integration of cutting-edge warehousing technology presents a remarkable opportunity to employ and support individuals with disabilities in the workforce. By leveraging innovative solutions, warehouses can enhance accessibility, safety, and efficiency, creating an inclusive environment where all employees can thrive.
About the author:
A pioneer in the mobile-powered industrial carts industry, founder and CEO John O’Kelly began Newcastle Systems in 2005. John has since grown the company to 40 employees and was recognized as a 2022 Supply Chain Brain Top 100 Supply Chain Partner. To meet growing demand, the company moved from Haverhill to a larger location in Amesbury, MA. The mobile carts are used in manufacturing, retail, and shipping and receiving applications by companies including Walmart, UPS, DHL, Wayfair, Tesla, and Amazon. Newcastle Systems recently released an industry report, Bridging the Gap Between Humans and Automation.
