 Leading Financial Services companies like HDFC Life, Axis Max Life, and Allianz Tech are prioritizing workplace disability inclusion. Through sign language workshops, sensitization sessions on unconscious bias, and global accessibility networks, these brands are fostering empathy, accessible design, and equal opportunities for professionals with disabilities. | | Signing a more inclusive future at HDFC Life | At HDFC Life, inclusive communication began with learning to sign. Facilitated by Atypical Advantage, the Indian Sign Language (ISL) workshop introduced participants to disability etiquette, inclusive terminology, basic alphabets and everyday phrases. Through practical demonstrations and the fun-filled “Pick a Chit and Sign” activity, participants put their learning into practice. The session also brought HDFC Life’s culture statement to life, with participants learning to sign its tagline, “Sir Utha Ke Jiyo.” With close to 150+ participants attending in person and joining virtually, the workshop took a step towards making everyday communication more inclusive and accessible. | Moving beyond assumptions at Axis Max Life | At Axis Max Life, Saumya Mishra, Co-Founder & Head of Inclusion Enablement at Atypical Advantage, led an in-person disability sensitisation session that explored accessibility, disability etiquette and the difference between integration and meaningful inclusion. Through “Beyond What You See,” a Myth vs. Fact discussion and real workplace scenarios, participants examined common misconceptions, unconscious bias in hiring and practical ways to make workplaces more inclusive. Imagination-led activities that encouraged participants to step into different perspectives emerged as the highlight of the session, helping them understand how intentional changes can create meaningful opportunities for persons with disabilities. | From awareness to action with Allianz Tech | Dhanya Ravi was invited to speak at an internal webinar hosted by Allianz Services Private Limited, Trivandrum, as part of the global launch of Allianz Beyond, the company’s employee network focused on disability inclusion and workplace accessibility. Sharing her personal journey and the challenges she has navigated, Dhanya encouraged employees to question assumptions and rethink what belonging looks like. The discussion also explored universal design, accessible workspaces and the experiences of employees with disabilities across Allianz. Her message was simple: “Empathy, intentional action and a personal commitment can make the world around us more accessible.” | Restaurant Chain Ishaara built a thriving model employing hearing-disabled staff | Prashant Issar, founder of the modern Indian restaurant chain Ishaara, established a successful hospitality model built around employing hundreds of hearing-impaired individuals for front-of-house operations. Moving past traditional tokenism, the restaurant integrates a sign-based menu and focused life-skills training, demonstrating that disability-inclusive hiring fosters high operational consistency, minimal attrition, and dignifying, long-term career growth. (Source: TOI) | 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 55,000+ 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. | |
