In this article, Dan Morgan-Williams, founder of Visualise Training and Consultancy, examines some of the most common workplace barriers, their emotional impact, and how utilising a specialist provider can be the key to achieving meaningful and sustainable inclusion.
Despite growing awareness of disability in the workplace, employees with visual impairments and hearing loss still face significant, often invisible, barriers. From inaccessible digital systems to assumptions about communication, these challenges aren’t always immediately apparent, but they have a profound impact on confidence, productivity, and overall wellbeing.
The Hidden Barriers of Sensory Impairment at Work
- Communication Assumptions
One of the most frustrating challenges faced by people with hearing loss is the assumption that if they heard something once, they’ll hear it every time. But hearing loss isn’t consistent — background noise, accents, fast speakers, or simply fatigue can all affect comprehension. When someone misses a point in a meeting and asks for repetition, they often see the frustration on others’ faces. Over time, that silent judgment can wear someone down.
People with visual impairments face similar issues. Walking past a colleague in the corridor without greeting them may be perceived as rude, when in reality, they simply didn’t see the person. Reading social cues, recognising faces from a distance, or navigating a busy room — all of this becomes more complex and can lead to misunderstandings that damage workplace relationships.
- ‘One Size Fits All’ Adjustments
Too often, adjustments are approached with a checklist mentality—a magnifier here, a larger monitor there — job done. But sensory impairments are not uniform. Some individuals may experience fluctuating sight or hearing levels, develop eye strain within minutes of screen use, or find that assistive technology actually increases their cognitive load rather than easing it.
When someone without lived experience conducts workplace assessments, these nuances can be missed. Generic solutions may meet the legal requirements but fall short of truly supporting the individual.
- Lack of Awareness and Confidence in Others
Many colleagues are unsure how to interact with someone who has a visual or hearing impairment. They may speak too loudly, avoid eye contact, or assume the person is technologically illiterate. This discomfort can lead to avoidance, which in turn can isolate the individual.
Meanwhile, the employee with the impairment is working twice as hard, not just to do their job, but to manage the social and emotional labour of appearing ‘capable enough’ in a system not designed for them.
- Environmental and Digital Inaccessibility
From dimly lit stairwells to websites without screen reader compatibility, the physical and digital environment poses daily obstacles. Shared office layouts with unclear signage, noisy open-plan spaces, inaccessible fire alarms, or a lack of speech-to-text tools can all create risk and stress.
Minor tweaks — such as contrasting stair edges, anti-glare desk mats, or colour settings in Microsoft Windows — can make a huge difference. But only if someone identifies the need.
The Emotional Weight of Not Being Understood
A recurring theme we hear in our assessments is the relief people feel when they finally speak to someone who understands them. Many clients tell us we’re the first people they’ve talked to who genuinely know what they’re going through, even more so than their own families.
As one employee recently put it: ‘It was such a relief to talk to someone who didn’t need it explained. You knew before I said it. I didn’t realise how much I’d been carrying until I could finally just be honest.’
This kind of trust can’t be manufactured — it comes from shared lived experience. And it’s the foundation of the work we do.
The Difference a Specialist Makes
Visualise Training and Consultancy offers a different kind of service. Our assessors combine professional expertise with lived experience, creating assessments that are practical, empathetic, and tailored.
Here’s what our clients often say about the difference:
– ‘You understood my fatigue, not just from the job but from masking all the time.’
– ‘Other providers gave me equipment. You gave me a way to work again.’
– ‘This was the first time I didn’t feel like I had to justify my disability.’
Examples of Simple But Impactful Adjustments:
– Daylight-balanced task lamps
– Personalised breaks to reduce screen fatigue
– Speech-to-text or live captioning tools
– Flexible working hours or remote options
– Allocated desks for consistent setup
– Contrast markings and clear signage
– Training on built-in accessibility features in Microsoft 365
Why Employers Should Care
Supporting employees with sensory impairments isn’t just a legal duty — it’s a retention strategy. Employees who feel understood and supported are more likely to stay, thrive, and speak positively about their workplace.
By choosing a provider with lived experience, you’re sending a clear message: ‘We’re not just ticking a box. We’re listening.’
We’re Here to Help
At Visualise, we offer:
– Workplace assessments tailored to individual needs
– Awareness training for teams and managers
– Post-diagnosis support and signposting
– Ongoing mentoring for employees adapting to sight or hearing loss
At Visualise Training and Consultancy, we specialise in workplace assessments and training for people with vision and hearing loss. What sets us apart is that our team includes assessors with lived experience of sensory loss. We are familiar with these barriers because we’ve faced them. And we know how to break them down — not just theoretically, but practically and empathetically.
Whether someone is newly diagnosed or has lived with their condition for years, our team offers not only solutions but also empathy, insight, and genuine understanding.
Let’s Build a Workplace That Sees and Hears Everyone
If you’re ready to move beyond generic assessments and provide support that genuinely works, we’re here to help.
To learn more and make a referral, visit our Workplace Assessments page.Â