Today’s consumers not only demand quality products and attention from companies. They also require that they commit to an environmental cause or one aimed at improving the society in which they operate. This is why many companies adopt the banner of inclusion of people with disabilities (PWD), seeking to be inclusive companies.
The problem is that both consumers and society do not need campaigns that, at times, make all these groups visible. Real efforts are required to encourage their inclusion.
What is inclusion and why is it important?
According to the INEGI 2020 Population Census, in Mexico there are more than 6 million people (4.9% of the population) with some disability. Of them, 13.9 million (11.1%) with some limitation in carrying out activities of daily living; and 723,770 (0.6%) who identify as having a “mental problem or condition.”
It is then that the term inclusion becomes more relevant since there are more than 20 million Mexicans who require some type of personalization in the services or products they consume in order to integrate into their environments and access the same opportunities as others.
Is your company inclusive?
According to the Disability Dictionaries prepared by the Yo Too platform, inclusion is a “An approach that responds positively to the diversity of people and individual differences, which understands that diversity is not a problem, but an opportunity for the enrichment of society in all areas. Inclusion recognizes the right of all people, regardless of their conditions, to belong to society.”
Starting from that premise, those companies that claim to be inclusive must question whether they are really doing what is necessary to make their products and services accessible. If you are one of them and want to make a change, we share these four examples of good practices.
Practices to be an inclusive company
The Japanese company developed a control with which they seek to ensure that people with disabilities can access video games and do so with a better experience. To do this, they created a customizable design in which the buttons can be exchanged according to each person’s range of mobility.
It also has textures that adapt to different needs, as well as the possibility of placing it in any position or on different surfaces to make its use more convenient.
- Central Bank of the Argentine Republic (BCRA) and training in Argentine Sign Language (LSA)
In 2022, the Central Bank of the Argentine Republic (BCRA), the body in charge of the country’s monetary policy, dictated that all banks and financial entities should implement measures that facilitate banking service. Among them is LSA training for customer service personnel such as counters.
From this, the banks prepared their collaborators so that they could provide the service using Argentine Sign Language. In this way, they promote the financial inclusion of people with disabilities and become inclusive companies.
- Karisma Hotels & Resorts and its concierge for people with autism
The Karisma Hotels & Resorts hotel group has the first Autism Concierge service worldwide in some of its complexes in Mexico and the Dominican Republic.
Staff were trained by Autism Double-Checked. In this way they properly care for guests with neurodiverse disabilities such as autism. In addition, they make special alarms available so that whoever needs them has a safer experience during their vacation.
- Mastercard and Bank of the West with their cards touch
Thinking about people with visual disabilities, Banco Occidente, together with Mastercard, launched a card that has indentations so that users can distinguish them and detect the correct side to insert them into an ATM.
The bank also has audio contracts so that people can learn the legal information behind the service they are requesting. In addition, signage in Braille to know, for example, opening hours.
Inclusion goes beyond a campaign that makes people with disabilities visible or non-discrimination policies in establishments. More actions and efforts are required to allow more people to enjoy access to all services or products, taking into account the needs they have. Take the first step and dare to be an inclusive company.
Daniela Ramos Communicator and mother. With 10 years of experience, I have been able to tell stories related to business, personal finances, work culture, entrepreneurship and technology.