New Delhi, March 27, 2024: Atypical Advantage, an organisation promoting disability inclusion in workplaces, has delivered more than 400 successful sensitization workshops throughout the country. These workshops have positively impacted 40,000 employees across various industries.
These workshops address a crucial paradigm shift within the workplace. Their focus lies on dismantling fear and misconceptions, while simultaneously rectifying inaccurate portrayals often associated with people with disabilities regarding their professional capabilities.
This initiative has garnered significant traction, with over 75 leading companies, including Tata Steel, Indigo Airlines and Marico, having actively incorporated these workshops into their organizational development programs. Their commitment extends beyond workshops, encompassing panel discussions featuring inspiring individuals from the PWD community, organizing events showcasing PWD entrepreneurs, and disability simulation games designed to foster empathy among employees.
Apoorva Mahajan- HRBP- Supply Chain, Procurement & Manufacturing at Marico said, “Disability Inclusion Sensitization is not just about awareness; it's about embracing diversity, fostering empathy, and creating a society where every individual, regardless of ability, is valued and included. These workshops provided a great insight into how the real-life tools/technologies are used by persons with disabilities and small actions that can make our communication more accessible”.
The workshops encompassed a diverse range of topics, including disability sensitization, Indian Sign Language, digital accessibility, experiential learning through simulation games, and doodling sessions. These workshops are meticulously designed to equip participants with practical tools and strategies to cultivate a more inclusive work environment for PWDs. Through interactive activities, engaging discussions, and real-world case studies, employees gained a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by people with disabilities and acquired the knowledge to promote inclusivity within their teams.
An employee at PWC after attending a workshop shared, “This sensitization is undoubtedly crucial at this time. It has provided me with new insights into workplace dynamics and deepened my appreciation for my colleagues”.
According to Unearth Insights 2021 study, India is home to nearly 3 crore people with disabilities (PwD), with approximately 1.3 crore being employable. However, only 34 lakh of them are currently engaged in the organized or unorganized sectors, government-led schemes, or self-employment. Despite these challenges, leading companies are actively working to bridge this gap, and Disability Sensitization Workshops serve as the crucial initial step toward achieving this goal.
Vineet Saraiwala, founder & CEO at Atypical Advantage said, “exceeding 40,000 participants and collaborating with 75 leading organizations is a testament to the collective effort toward disability inclusion, we're proud to create bridges of understanding between employers and individuals with disabilities. For Atypical Advantage, these workshops are just the beginning. Together, we're aiming to double these numbers very soon.”
With the success of these workshops, The Shark Tank participant reaffirms its commitment to educating the world on why nazariya (perspective) is more important than nazariya (eyesight). Through continued education, advocacy, and collaboration, the organization aims to drive positive change and create more inclusive workplaces for all.
