Globe recently hosted the Philippine Business and Disability Network (PBDN)'s 4th Networking Meeting, in partnership with Project Inclusion Network. The event also coincided with National Disability Rights Week. It brought together changemakers from 36 companies across different sectors with a common challenge of: "What does equity look like when it's built into the design of our systems, workplaces and technologies?"
"Inclusion is not an afterthought at Globe," said Carl Cruz, President and CEO at Globe. "We're embedding it into our culture, our systems and our platforms because we believe every talent is important and should be cared for." He also mentioned that while the road ahead is long, Globe is committed to listening, taking action and moving forward with partners who share the same vision.
"When we design for difference, we create better solutions for everyone," said Denise Haak, Globe AVP for Product Experience Strategy and Design. "We can start practicing equity by reviewing our job descriptions for bias, offering interview accommodations, removing unnecessary time pressure from tests and making sure our digital tools are easy to navigate for everyone. Inclusion doesn't have to be expensive or complicated. What it needs is thoughtfulness and the courage to ask the right questions."
A key takeaway from the event was the believe that disability inclusion is not merely a moral obligation or a policy requirement, it's a fundamental design challenge.
Guided by its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Policy Commitment, Globe is actively redesigning its web platforms to deliver an equitable online experience for its users. Among the company's initiatives include incorporating accessibility personas for user-centered development, ensuring compliance with WCAG or Web Content Accessibility Guidelines standards, leveraging on color contrast palette and using clear and simple language.
Social innovator and Virtualahan founder Ryan Gersava drove home the urgency of these questions with his powerful personal story. Denied employment after being diagnosed with a chronic illness, Gersava turned exclusion into action by creating a digital skills training program that has since empowered hundreds of persons with disabilities to launch remote careers.
"Real inclusion is not about pity or optics," said Gersava. "It's about co-creating systems with the people they're meant to serve." He also reminded the audience that exclusion is rarely accidental, it is the result of design decisions made without lived experience in the discussion and creation process of policies and systems.
Participants got to explore real-world scenarios during the workshop entitled- "Journeys & Junctions: Mapping Inclusion Across the Employee Lifecycle." The participants created redesigns of policies, tech solutions or process tweaks that could lead to more inclusive work experiences. The session encouraged collaboration, empathy and real-time application of inclusive thinking.
"Our progress hinges on cultivating a wider network of allies and champions. This extends beyond persons with disabilities themselves to encompass the very individuals with whom they work, fostering a truly inclusive ecosystem," concluded Grant Javier, Executive Director of PBDN.
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