Who knew a few sessions at Cognizant could spark a new community | Following the neurodiversity session in December, Cognizant India once again hosted another impactful session during the month of Autism Awareness, in collaboration with the DEI India team. With Juhi, Head of Hiring at Atypical Advantage, leading the dialogue, the voice of inclusion felt stronger than ever. The session brought back strong reflections from the previous one, with participants recalling their learnings, acknowledging gaps, and engaging in more meaningful conversations. The energy was palpable, with over 1000+ participants joining the session. The conversation touched upon the realities of caregiving, the everyday challenges faced by families, and most importantly, how we can become better allies to individuals with neurodiversity. What followed was even more powerful. Parents and caregivers expressed a strong need for a safe community: A space where they could come together, share experiences, and support one another through their journeys. The Cognizant team is now working towards building this very community and we cannot be more grateful, because this is the kind of impact we aim to create. This is how inclusion slowly, but surely, becomes the norm. | An activity at Infosys that opened eyes to diverse disabilities | Infosys Limited, moved beyond conversation and into lived experience through a deeply immersive engagement that reached over 60 participants in Bangalore. At the outdoors, amidst the nature, seven experiential booths, each representing different disabilities, ran simultaneously, creating a powerful, hands-on environment. Senior leaders from the DEI team actively participated and for many, it was their first time navigating the world using a wheelchair, an experience that shifted perspectives in ways words often cannot. Others reflected on how this was their first exposure to simulation-based inclusion activities, offering a deeper, more personal understanding of accessibility and everyday challenges. This session, opened up conversations, built awareness, and planted the seeds for a more inclusive mindset moving forward. | Facilitating ‘Educational Jumpscare’ at Accenture | An important conversation on inclusion came alive through our Autism Awareness Workshop with Accenture: Support doesn’t begin at the workplace; it begins at home. Designed with inclusion at its core, the session ensured accessibility through a live interpreter and saw active engagement from leadership, collectively reaching and impacting 250+ participants. What made this workshop truly stand apart was its depth on how autism awareness was approached and understood. Facilitated by Dr. Supriya Mallik from Embrace Lives, the session moved beyond theory, through real-life examples and lived experiences, making every insight practical, relatable, and deeply engaging. The response was as powerful as the session itself, captured best in a participant’s words: “This has got to be the most educational jumpscare I’ve had in a while.” | Quota under scrutiny: HC questions Goa over PwD job reservation gaps | The Goa High Court has issued a notice to the state government over concerns regarding the implementation of the mandated 4% reservation for persons with disabilities in government jobs. The move follows allegations of non-compliance with legal provisions under disability rights laws, raising questions about accountability and enforcement. The case underscores the ongoing gap between policy intent and on-ground execution in ensuring equal employment opportunities for PwDs. (Source: TOI) | Why inclusive skilling is key to unlocking potential of PwDs | A recent article highlights how the real barrier for persons with disabilities (PwDs) is not capability, but access to relevant skills and opportunities. Inclusive training, designed around diverse needs, can significantly improve employability, confidence, and workplace integration. It emphasizes the role of corporates, NGOs, and policy frameworks in building tailored skilling programs that go beyond technical training to include communication, digital literacy, and workplace readiness. Ultimately, inclusive skilling is positioned not as charity, but as an economic and social imperative for a more equitable workforce. (Source: The Hindu) | Atypical Advantage is India’s largest livelihood platform for Persons with Disabilities(PWD). Whether it is a singer looking for a show, a visual artist looking to sell their paintings, or job seekers with disabilities looking for career opportunities, it bridges the supply & demand side inefficiencies so that Persons with Disabilities can earn a dignified income. We have a large pool of 50,000+ talents with disabilities and have worked with 500+ corporates within a short span of 5 years. We were also featured on Shark Tank Season 2 and were declared the winner of the prestigious National Startup Award for Social Impact, and the National Award for Best Organization empowering persons with disabilities in 2024, conferred by the Union Government. For more information, visit our website here. | |
