4 ways to support caregivers and employees with disabilities in the workplace

One in four adults in the U.S. have some type of disability according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. More than one in five Americans are caregivers — 25.4% of women compared to 18.9% of men — to adults or children with special needs.

These statistics suggest that disability likely touches the lives of most employees in some capacity.

Jessica Tuman, head of environment, social responsibility and governance (ESG) and Voya Cares Center of Excellence, explains that Voya Financial realized this was an underserved market. The company saw the size of the community impacted by disability and realized there needs to be tools to support retirement and financial planning for those in this situation. This is especially true for what Tuman calls “sandwich caregivers,” who have a child with a disability as well as aging parents who are living longer and need support.  

So, what can an employers provide to create a workplace culture that supports employees with disabilities — visible and invisible — and caregivers? Tuman shares four ideas:

1. Build an inclusive culture.

A supportive and inclusive culture starts with awareness.