Corporate India is now taking big steps to include people with disabilities in the workplace.
In the past, inclusion focused on gender.
Today, more companies are focusing on accessibility for people with disabilities.
A survey by Avtar, a workplace consulting group, showed that the percentage of companies focusing on disabled inclusion jumped from 58% in 2019 to 98% now, as reported by IndiaToday.com.
Many Indian companies now see disability inclusion as a way to build a positive workplace culture.
Mphasis is an IT company making strong efforts toward accessibility.
They are working with the NGO NCPEDP on a project called “The Missing Million.”
This project aims to count people with disabilities in India, understand the types of disabilities they have, and find out what support they need.
Mphasis VP Deepa Nagraj explains that they are not only hiring people with disabilities but also training teams to work inclusively.
ITC Ltd. is another example of a company committed to disability inclusion.
ITC employs over 390 people with disabilities.
They have also installed Braille signage, ramps, and accessible facilities across their properties.
Through its Mangaldeep brand, ITC has set up Sixth Sense panels to recruit visually impaired fragrance testers.
ITC’s training program for people with disabilities began in Bengaluru and has expanded to Kolkata and Howrah, training over 200 people in both technical and soft skills.
Amazon, in partnership with the Sarthak Educational Trust, opened the Global Resource Centre (GRC) in Gurugram.
The GRC trains people with disabilities, focusing on deaf, blind, and physically disabled individuals.
It provides technology training, mentorship, and job placement services.
Garuda Aerospace started the “Equality Drone Training” program.
This Chennai-based program teaches people with disabilities how to operate drones, providing free training and skill development.
Star Health Insurance launched a policy in Braille.
This helps visually impaired customers understand their health insurance choices and make decisions independently.
In India, the 2011 Census recorded 26.8 million people with disabilities.
Experts say the real number could be much higher.
Despite these numbers, many people with disabilities remain unseen and excluded from the economy.
With more companies like Mphasis, ITC, Amazon, Garuda Aerospace, and Star Health taking action, corporate India is moving closer to its dream of a more inclusive and accessible economy.
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