Taking a comprehensive approach to supporting individuals of all CapAbilities

Removing stigma, promoting disclosure, and fostering increased digital inclusion – across the entire spectrum of society

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that globally, 1.3 billion people experience a significant disability – and this comprises 16% of the world’s population – or approximately one in six. When I first read this, it struck me as quite high. However, my mind then immediately jumped to the thought of just how many disabilities may not be immediately visible. A recent report commissioned by the UK Parliament estimates that that 70-80% of disabilities may be invisible.?

On one hand, working in the technology sector within Digital Inclusion, it filled me with pride, thinking about how many professionals across the entire ability spectrum are excelling and leading in their roles. However, on the other hand, I feel we still have a lot of work to do when it comes to removing stigma (within Capgemini and society as a whole), promoting disclosure, and fostering increased digital inclusion – while also fighting against exclusion.

Breaking down barriers and providing equal access to in-demand skills and job opportunities

But I’m happy to say that in committing to taking accountability and breaking down these stigmas and barriers, we have been making consistent progress in 2023 – with initiatives supporting Capgemini colleagues and individuals throughout our wider communities. Each of these initiatives are grounded in the same core goals – helping create equal chances for all and building bridges to provide individuals with equal access to in-demand skills and job opportunities. Additionally, these programs have served to change perceptions and break down barriers around hiring talent of diverse abilities. What’s more is that they are not only benefiting individuals with disabilities – but Capgemini as well.

Strength in neurodivergence

For example, within technology, neurodivergence can be a real strength for companies that trust the skills and capabilities of the neurodivergence talent pool. For example, in Spain, our work with Fundación Once, which is raising neurodivergence awareness among our staff through workshops and webinars, really emphasizes this point. We’ve been partneringwith Fundación Once for more than 20 years now, helping people with disabilities throughout Spain.

We are currently sponsoring a Java bootcamp for people with autism through Fundación ONCE’s XTalento Digital Program – and we’ve hired over 80 professionals, thanks to this program! We also support Fundación ONCE’s Opportunity for Talent scholarships annually, where young people with disabilities have the opportunity to pursue their chosen graduate, postgraduate, master's, or doctoral studies – in-country or abroad.

To specifically support younger individuals, we’ve partnered with Youth4Jobs, which offers a dedicated IT training program for youth with disabilities. This training includes web development, coding, SQL, and microservices resulting in full-stack development. The Capgemini team provides both technical and soft skill support to the trainers and candidates.?Youth4Jobs envisions training youth and securing jobs for them, and at the end of each training, every successful participant is awarded a certificate of completion by both Capgemini and Youth4Jobs.?This training is developed specifically for computer science candidates and those interested in coding and software development.

During the FIRST challenge in Texas last March, I had the opportunity to assist in a robotics competition, which featured teams of young adults from across the globe building robots. Many of them were proud to speak about their diverse team members, specifically those with autism – who performed extremely well during the competition. Karine Vasselin, Head of Diversity & Inclusion, and I were so moved and inspired to see that autism was perceived as a strength within these teams – giving us high hopes for the future of inclusion of diverse talents.

Helping to inspire with Superhumans in Ukraine

I’m also very happy to highlight our work in responding to a more pressing cause through our work with Superhumans, an NGO based in Ukraine, committed to shifting the public perception of physically disabled individuals affected by the war. Capgemini is supporting the Superhumans’ rehabilitation center, which provides aid to victims injured during the war in the form of psychological support and physical rehabilitation. The mission of this center is to build up Ukraine's domestic capacity for prosthetics and high-tech medical solutions, bring the best medical practices to Ukraine, and treat war heroes and affected civilians at home near their families.?

During the past weeks, I was moved by the conversations I had with my Ukrainian colleagues surrounding the reality of the war still raging in their country. Their bravery is a true inspiration and I’m happy we are helping to address the long-term impacts of the war by supporting Superhuman’s operations together with Olga Rudnieva?and her tremendous team.

Within Capgemini, I’m proud to mention our Digital Academy program, which is a worldwide network of in-demand IT skills training, including cybersecurity, web development, AI, and many other professional skills. The trainings are implemented in partnership with local collaborators for people who have been away from the job market, enabling them to launch their careers in the IT sector. We not only provide training but have also committed to hiring 10% of our Digital Academy graduates to contribute to a more diverse workforce. We have also trained over 25,000 graduates since 2018 – 6,000 of whom are now our proud colleagues.

All these examples remind us how we not only have a responsibility to build bridges – but also continue to raise awareness around supporting people of all abilities. I dream about a day where disability will not even be a topic of discussion – and our unique differences will be perceived as strengths.

We still have some work to do but with the amazing work done by the powerful NGOs at our side, I am confident this will become a reality someday. But right now, on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, I hope you’ll join me in taking accountability and action in removing stigma, promoting disclosure, and fostering increased digital inclusion – across the entire spectrum of society.

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