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Every Ability Counts: Fujitsu's Inclusive Initiatives Spark Change Worth Contemplating

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Fujitsu has been steadily advancing its commitment to building a workplace where every individual, regardless of ability, can participate and thrive. The company’s approach to disability inclusion is not limited to meeting compliance requirements but focuses on developing structures, technologies, and practices that support meaningful integration. This includes accessible recruitment processes, thoughtfully designed workplaces, assistive technologies, and opportunities for skill development and career growth.

In India, where a significant proportion of persons with disabilities remain engaged in the informal sector and formal employment opportunities are limited, such initiatives take on added significance. Fujitsu’s model brings together technology, awareness, and community-building to remove systemic barriers, making the workplace more equitable. Through mentorship programs, employee resource groups, and partnerships with disability organisations, the company is creating pathways that combine professional opportunity with social responsibility. These efforts reflect a growing recognition that inclusivity in the workplace is not just a moral imperative but also a driver of sustainable growth and innovation.

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Actual progress begins by acknowledging every limitation as an opportunity to innovate. Now, an inclusive workplace isn't merely the right thing to do—it is also a driver of competitive advantage. Fujitsu's journey to disability inclusion is rooted in our company's fundamental value of believing each person contributes value to the table. We believe that creating an environment where each person can realise their full potential, including those with diverse abilities, is at the core of our DNA. Our dedication to unlocking the potential of people with disabilities is beyond compliance and accessibility; it is creating a culture where all individuals' different strengths are sought out and developed. Through our ground-breaking solution, the emotional stories of our employees, and our insatiable passion for continuous growth, Fujitsu is re-imagining what it means to be disability-positive. 

In India, where over 36% of PwDs are employed, mostly in the unorganised sector, structure, empathy, inclusivity, and opportunities in modern workplaces are the need of the hour. With only 1-2% of the workforce in many Indian companies being PwDs, we want to create space and opportunity for meaningful employment and career growth.

Our initiatives are designed to tear down systemic barriers from the hiring process all the way up to promotions so that employees with disabilities can contribute fully to our organisation’s success. By combining technology and collaboration, we are building a workplace where diversity is celebrated, not worked around.

Opening Doors to Opportunity

For most people with disabilities, it all starts with a shot at the job, access to opportunity. Fujitsu has embraced inclusive recruitment practices in favour of equal opportunity. We collaborate with organisations that specialise in inclusive employment services to make our hiring processes mobility-friendly. From accessible career websites to interview styles that support a range of disabilities, we aim to make the hiring process welcoming and fair.

But an inclusive workplace is not just about landing the job. It is about giving your best once you are here. Fujitsu aims to make our facilities, work environments, and assistive technologies accessible to meet each person's needs. From screen magnification and voice-controlled software to wheelchair-accessible offices, we ensure that our offices are not just accessible on paper—they are for all. The considerate design of our buildings—ramps, accessible restrooms, and adjustable desks, to name a few—will facilitate any transition painlessly, without the concern of physical barriers in the workplace. 

Building Community Through Employee Resource Groups and Awareness

Belonging and connection are vital to any staff member, and our Disability Inclusion-focused Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) are central to making that happen. Our ERGs allow staff members to connect, promote change, and care for one another. Our Disability Inclusion ERG has played a pivotal role in identifying accessibility gaps and offering solutions like clearer signage and enhanced digital tools.

Developing a culture of inclusivity within the workplace involves a base of empathy and comprehension. Fujitsu conducts training programs and awareness drives on a regular basis to incorporate a culture of inclusivity. Not only do these sessions educate, but they also remove stereotypes and misconceptions, enhance empathy, and empower teams with the knowledge and skills required to better assist their colleagues.

Career growth is essential to all employees, and Fujitsu offers PwDs tailor-made mentorship and development programs. Our mentorship programs pair employees with high-level executives who provide advice on career growth, skill-building, and overcoming workplace challenges. 

Using Technology for Accessibility

Being a technology leader, Fujitsu uses innovation to expand its reach. From assistive technology driven by AI to software catering to diverse needs, we are focused on designing solutions empowering PwDs. Our India-based research and development centres have been developing voice-enabled systems and intuitive interfaces that make technology accessible to workers and customers. Also, voice navigation and high-contrast display capabilities make our services easily accessible to visually or motor-impaired individuals. By prioritising access within our products, we are empowering our staff as well as setting a standard for the industry to follow. We collaborate with NGOs, disability organisations, and industry stakeholders to share best practices, collaborate, and bring about systemic change.

Through these partnerships, we learn, allowing us to refine our strategies and deliver successful programs. Our work with a leading disability rights organisation in India inspired us to design an accessibility audit process, which we now apply to assess and enhance our properties. Fujitsu actively engages in community activities, i.e., career fairs for PwDs, and sponsors programs in favour of the integration of the disabled. These initiatives are a manifestation of our ideology that inclusion is everyone's responsibility and needs collective efforts from all sectors.

Listening and Improving

Feedback is central to our inclusion strategy. Fujitsu actively seeks opinions from disabled employees in order to make our policies responsive and efficient. Through regular surveys, focus groups, and open forums, we gather insights that drive continuous improvement. We are honoured to have been awarded recognition for our disability inclusion efforts in the form of certifications from industry associations acknowledging our efforts toward promoting accessibility to all. These awards motivate us to go further, making sure that our workspace continues to shine as an example across industries in India and worldwide.

Beyond awards, our true measure of success is found in the stories of our employees. They remind us that when we unlock talent, we are unleashing potential that drives innovation and growth. (Please include success stories, if any.)

Looking ahead, as we continue our journey, Fujitsu remains committed to investing in people and creating a workplace where everyone can thrive. Every story, every tweak, every new hire—it all moves us closer to a future where “inclusion” isn’t just a buzzword on the wall but the way things actually work around here. We truly believe that empowering one person’s potential ignites possibilities for us all.

Ms. Ritu YadavThe impact of Fujitsu’s policies and strategies are reflected in the words of Ms. Ritu Yadav, Project Manager, Fujitsu India GDC: “I have been working with Fujitsu since 2015. I have over 19 years of experience in Operations Management. I was the first bilingual (Japanese, English) resource hired for Fujitsu's Bangalore operations and in my 10 years of career journey with Fujitsu I have grown to become a Service Delivery Manager. I was born with 62% disability. With support from family members, friends, and my peers, I never saw myself as different/ abnormal and hence have never felt that my disability is a challenge for my growth. I am comfortable being myself and have received equal opportunities to learn, grow, develop, and outshine myself. The atmosphere that Fujitsu offers and the cooperation, support, and mentoring I have received has helped me come a long way.”

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