When you hear the word “disability,” what comes to mind? Do you think of someone who can’t walk or talk? Someone who needs a wheelchair or hearing aid? Or maybe you think of someone who has trouble finding work because they have a mental illness or addiction.

But you might not have thought about disability as something that can actually give you an advantage in the workplace. In fact, there are many organizations that hire people with disabilities (PWDs) in India, and see them as an asset to their company. 

So if you’re looking for work, it might be time to consider applying!

1. Accenture

The multinational professional services company, Accenture, has been hiring people with disabilities (PWDs) in India through its “Skills to Succeed” initiative. The initiative was launched globally in 2013 with the aim of equipping 500,000 people around the world with skills for employment by 2020.

In India, the program has so far trained and placed over 1,700 PWDs in jobs across various sectors such as IT/ITeS, BPOs, KPOs etc. Accenture’s inclusive workforce strategy not only focuses on recruiting but also retaining employees with disabilities. 

Accenture provides a platform for disabled employees to connect and share best practices related to inclusion at work. It also acts as a mentoring network wherein senior leaders mentor junior colleagues who have newly joined Accenture after availing of training under Skills to Succeed program.

https://www.accenture.com/in-en/about/inclusion-diversity/pwd 

2. Wipro

Wipro, one of India's leading IT companies, has been actively hiring people with disabilities (PWDs) for the past few years. The company believes that PWDs have the potential to be excellent employees and are an untapped talent pool in India. Wipro has taken several initiatives to make its workplace more inclusive for PWDs. 

For example, it has introduced flexible working hours and work-from-home options, which help accommodate the needs of PWD employees. It also provides special training programs to help them build their skills and confidence. The company's efforts have been paying off – today, there are over 500 PWDs working at Wipro across various locations in India. 

This includes software engineers, customer support executives, finance professionals, and HR managers. Wipro's inclusive workplace policies have not only benefited PWD employees but also helped the company build a more diverse and strong workforce. By tapping into this untapped talent pool, Wipro is setting an example for other companies in India to follow!

https://careers.wipro.com/pwd 

3. IBM

IBM has a special policy when it comes to hiring PWDs- Accommodation, Accessibility and Attitude. The company employs PWDs in various departments and also spreads awareness among its senior employees regarding displaying unintended bias towards PWDs. This way, IBM is trying to break the barriers that exist for people with disabilities in our society. 

https://thesayfoundation.com/blog/eliminating-unconscious-bias-in-the-workplace - This would help provide more light on this subject.

The first step that IBM took was to assess the accessibility of its workplace for PWDs. They made changes in their infrastructure and procedures so as to be more inclusive towards PWDs. For instance, they installed Braille signs and tactile flooring near elevators and also created a task force which would look into the needs of individual employees with disabilities.

So far, the company has been successful in hiring around 1,200 PWDs across various departments and functions. This number is expected to go up in the coming years as IBM India continues its efforts to make its workplace more inclusive for all!

4. KFC

KFC is one of the most popular fast-food chains in India. It has a wide range of menu items that are loved by people across the country. What many people don't know about KFC is that it employs people with hearing and speech impairments at all its stores in India.

Over the years, KFC has hired more than 170 specially-abled employees across all its stores in India. These employees go through special trainings over an 11-week period where they are sensitized to subjects like English, critical thinking, food safety, life skills, etc. This training helps them be better equipped to do their jobs and interact with customers effectively.

KFC's initiative to hire and train people with disabilities is commendable. It not only provides them with employment opportunities but also helps in their overall development. This is a great step towards inclusion and we hope to see more companies following suit.

https://global.kfc.com/stories/belief-in-all-people-indias-specially-abled-stores-/ 

5. Café Coffee Day

Café Coffee Day, India's largest coffee chain has been in the news for its recent hiring spree of differently abled people. The company has given them the tag of "Silent Brewmasters," since they brew coffee behind the counter. 

What makes these hires unique is that they all possess a heightened sense of smell and vision which means they can brew coffees with perfection. This move by Café Coffee Day is being lauded as it not only provides employment to those who are often overlooked but also because it shows that such abilities should not be seen as hindrances but rather strengths. 

We hope to see more companies following suit and changing mindsets when it comes to the differently-abled!

Check out the blog on why the deaf are one of the best hires for your organization - https://thesayfoundation.com/blog/why-could-the-deaf-and-hard-of-hearing-people-be-one-of-the-best-hires-in-your-organization 

The Bottom Line

At the end of the day, we all want the same thing: to be able to work hard and make a living doing what we love. And while it is true that some of us may have to work harder than others to get there, that doesn't mean we can't do it.

It just means we need a little help along the way. And that's why organizations like these are so important—they are helping people like you find jobs and work their way up in the world. You might not think you're disabled, but there might be something holding you back from achieving your dreams at this very moment. Maybe it's just a small thing that you can fix on your own—but maybe not! 

That's where an organization like this comes in handy—you never know what they might find for you! So, don't waste another minute wondering if someone out there will hire you—get out there and find out for yourself!