When we talk about inclusivity in hospitality, the spotlight tends to fall on the front-of-house experience. Ramps at the entrance, accessible bathrooms, and customer service training, all essential. But what about the kitchen? Behind the pass, accessibility is often an afterthought. And yet, it’s the heartbeat of any hospitality business. If we want to build truly inclusive spaces, we have to go beyond guest experience and start thinking about the people who make that experience happen, including those in chef whites.

 

At Just Filters, we spend a lot of time in professional kitchens. And what we’ve seen is clear: inclusive kitchen design and operations don’t just support staff with disabilities, they improve life for everyone on the team. Here’s why disability confidence behind the scenes is good for business and how we can all start making kitchens more accessible.

 

 

Just 4.8% of adults with a learning disability known to social care were in paid employment in England in 2022. According to Scope, the disability employment gap is around 29% and hasn’t narrowed significantly in over a decade. 1 in 5 people in the UK have a disability, yet many feel hospitality is inaccessible as a career option. These are not small numbers. They represent thousands of missed opportunities, for talent, diversity, and resilience in our industry. But hospitality has enormous potential to be more inclusive, thanks to its wide range of roles, skills, and shift-based structure. What’s needed is intent, and a rethink of how we design our kitchens and working routines.

 

 

A kitchen doesn’t need to be clinical or sterile to be safe, efficient, and accessible. When it’s well laid out, with clear walkways, ergonomic storage, intuitive procedures, and easy-to-use equipment it can accommodate a much more diverse team. And this isn't about ticking compliance boxes. It’s about creating environments where everyone feels safe, confident, and able to do their best work.

 

Here’s what that might look like in practice:

 

> Are filter units or switches mounted out of reach?

> Can wheelchairs or mobility aids navigate safely around your galley layout?

> Are frequently used items stored within comfortable reach?

 

> Are visual instructions or labels used for equipment?

> Are colour contrasts used to aid visibility?

> Is lighting sufficient without being harsh or overstimulating?  

 

> Are filter maintenance routines clearly documented?

> Do staff know exactly what to do if something goes wrong?

> Can new or neurodiverse team members follow a step-by-step task independently?

 

These small adjustments can make a world of difference, not just for team members with disabilities, but for apprentices, part-time staff, and non-native English speakers too.

 

 

You might be wondering...how do filters fit into all this? Well, maintaining ventilation systems, changing grease filters, or booking duct cleans may not seem like the frontline of disability inclusion. But these are tasks that often fall to junior staff and can be physically demanding, awkward, or poorly explained. At Just Filters, we design our services with accessibility in mind.

 

?? No ladders or heavy lifting for staff, we handle all filter exchanges ourselves.

?? Simple checklists and digital records so everyone knows what’s been done and when.

?? Safe, consistent scheduling, reducing disruption and last-minute surprises.

?? Clear communication with facilities or catering managers before every visit.

 

By removing risky, difficult, or manual filter cleaning tasks from internal teams, we allow all kitchen staff, regardless of physical ability, to focus on food, not fans.

 

 

A crucial insight from the original Hospitality & Catering News piece was this: “People with learning disabilities are more likely to apply and stay when they see role models in customer-facing roles.” The same is true behind the scenes. If we want more disabled chefs, staff, or prep cooks to enter hospitality, we need to show them it’s possible. That starts by making kitchens safer, smarter, and more inclusive today, not someday. It also means investing in training, mentorship, and rethinking how we recruit. Are we creating environments that support people with learning disabilities, sensory processing needs, or limited mobility? Or are we unintentionally putting up barriers? 

 

 

Here’s how any hospitality venue can start creating a more accessible and empowering kitchen environment:

 

Can all staff reach switches, storage, and filter units safely? Are walkways wide and clutter-free?

 

Add photo-based or colour-coded instructions to cleaning checklists and maintenance logs, particularly for filter swaps, grease trap care, and fire checks.

 

Do tasks assume a level of strength, height, or mobility? Could they be done differently?

 

Outsourcing technical maintenance tasks can free up staff while improving safety and compliance.

 

The best ideas come from lived experience. Check in with all staff, especially those who may not speak up easily, about barriers they face.

 

 

Inclusion behind the scenes matters just as much as on the floor.

Accessible kitchens improve efficiency, reduce injury risk, and open up new staffing possibilities.

Even small design and procedural changes can have a huge impact.

Disability inclusion in hospitality isn’t just the right thing, it’s a smart thing for business.

 

 

As the hospitality industry continues to rebuild and reimagine itself post-COVID and post-Brexit, the opportunity to rethink inclusion has never been greater. By making kitchens, not just dining rooms, places of confidence, safety, and possibility, we create a more resilient and representative sector. And we make room for talented people who’ve too often been left out of the picture. At Just Filters, we’re proud to be part of that change, supporting kitchen teams with services that are not only efficient but inclusive by design. Because every great meal starts in the kitchen. Let’s make sure that kitchen works for everyone.