How small workshops are making big changes at Nestle, KIIT and LinkedIn
Nestle hosts a hands-on practical session on inclusion
More than 30 leaders came together at the Nestlé Business Centre, Gurgaon, for an engaging disability awareness session facilitated by Vineet Saraiwala, Founder and CEO, Atypical Advantage. The session focused on one simple yet powerful question: How can we become better colleagues to persons with visual impairment? And one of the biggest highlights was the discussion around assistive technology. From screen readers and AI-powered accessibility tools to simple accessibility features already available on everyday devices, employees discovered how technology is transforming workplaces and enabling greater independence for persons with visual impairment. By the end, participants walked away not with overload of information, but with practical tips they could apply immediately, and a renewed understanding that creating an accessible workplace starts with each one of us.
Empowering the educators who empower others at KIIT International School
At KIIT International School, learning wasn't just happening in the classroom, it was happening behind the scenes too. A structured training program was launched for Senior Special Educators, equipping them with practical strategies to train the support staff (didis and bhaiyas) who work closely with children with diverse neurodevelopmental conditions. The first session focused on ensuring children stay safe and comfortable during bus journeys and school transportation through practical tips and real-life scenarios. It also highlighted the importance of caregiver well-being, emphasizing short breaks and student nap time can help support staff rest and recharge too. Using videos that showcased observable signs and behaviours associated with different neurodiverse conditions, participants gained practical insights into understanding different children's needs. With a successful first session on travel support, the next training will focus on meal-time assistance, further strengthening inclusive practices across the school.
Speaking the language of inclusion through signs at LinkedIn
Keeping a room full of young interns engaged is no easy feat. But our Indian Sign Language (ISL) workshop had everyone hooked from the very beginning. The energy was high at LinkedIn's Bangalore office as 60+ curious young minds came together for an interactive ISL workshop. The session quickly turned into an engaging exchange of ideas where participants asked thoughtful questions, enthusiastically practiced basic signs, and explored how small efforts in communication can make workplaces more inclusive for the Deaf community. Activities like Sign Relay kept the room buzzing, making learning fun, memorable, and easy to put into practice. Nothing makes learning more rewarding than broad smiles, and the interns at LinkedIn had plenty of them.
Visually impaired teacher wins job back as court bars post-hiring eligibility changes
In a landmark victory reinforcing dignity under the law, the Chhattisgarh High Court reinstated visually impaired physical education teachers with full back wages. The court firmly ruled that the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 is a social welfare mandate meant to widen employment access, preventing state departments from arbitrarily enforcing restrictive internal eligibility criteria after a fair hiring process. (Source: Indian Express)
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.
