It all started with a quiet observation. A senior leader at Fidelity’s office noticed a small group gathered regularly during lunch, including a colleague with hearing impairment. The group’s limited interaction sparked a revelation: most employees didn’t know Indian Sign Language (ISL). From this simple insight, a movement was born.
“What if more employees learned ISL? What if this small group could spark a larger shift within the company, opening up communication and fostering deeper inclusion?” These questions, Lakshmi R R, vice president, human resources, Fidelity Investments, recalls, marked the beginning of Fidelity’s ISL Club—a grassroots initiative aimed at teaching Indian Sign Language to employees and breaking down communication barriers.
Launched in October 2023 under Fidelity’s Enable Employee Resource Group (ERG), which supports employees of varying abilities, the ISL Club has grown from a modest start into a key driver of the company’s diversity and inclusion (D&I) efforts.
A grassroots movement takes root
The ISL Club began with a small group of committed employees, eager to make a difference. These early members enrolled in a three-day ISL certification course, organised by an external vendor. Despite concerns about balancing training with their regular work responsibilities, their enthusiasm prevailed, laying the foundation for the club’s success.
“Our approach recognises that people learn at different speeds. We wanted to create a psychologically safe environment where employees could practice together and build their skills.”
Lakshmi R R, Vice President, Human Resources
To extend its reach, the club adopted a train-the-trainer model. After their initial training, core team members pursued advanced ISL courses and began teaching their peers. “This model not only expanded the club’s impact but also instilled a sense of ownership among participants,” Lakshmi explains. The ISL Club now hosts monthly meetings, and its open, inclusive sessions have attracted employees across departments and seniority levels.
Learning beyond the classroom
Understanding that employees have different learning preferences, the ISL Club offers multiple avenues for engagement. Two- to three-minute video lessons, covering basic ISL skills such as greetings, days of the week, and festival-specific phrases, are shared on the company’s internal portal and displayed on digital signage, Fidelity’s in-house digital network. These short, digestible lessons allow employees to learn at their own pace.
For those unable to attend the club’s live sessions, recordings are available via a shared platform, ensuring that all employees have access to the learning materials. “Our approach recognises that people learn at different speeds,” Lakshmi says. “We wanted to create a psychologically safe environment where employees could practice together and build their skills.”
Creating meaningful connections
The ISL Club’s mission transcends merely teaching a new language—it’s about fostering genuine connections. Rather than focusing solely on participation numbers, the club prioritises building meaningful relationships across the workforce. Each session is carefully curated to tie ISL lessons to current events or company milestones, enhancing relevance and engagement.
Special attention is given to cultural moments, such as festivals, during which the club teaches employees how to greet one another in sign language. These moments not only make the learning experience more engaging but also reinforce Fidelity’s commitment to inclusivity on a cultural level.
The club’s efforts have not gone unnoticed by leadership. Fidelity’s senior executives, recognising the initiative’s value, have actively supported and participated in ISL Club activities. This endorsement from the top has helped embed the initiative into the organisation’s culture, ensuring that inclusion is a lived reality for all employees.
A broader cultural impact
The ISL Club’s influence stretches beyond the workplace. Employees with hearing impairments now feel more integrated, empowered by their ability to communicate freely with colleagues. Meanwhile, employees who have learned ISL have formed deeper bonds with their co-workers, creating a more cohesive and empathetic work environment.
The ripple effect of this initiative is being felt outside the office too. In one instance, a Fidelity employee used ISL to communicate with a hearing-impaired individual at an airport, an encounter that left the person visibly moved. These moments highlight how learning ISL has enriched employees’ lives beyond the confines of work, fostering inclusivity in everyday interactions.
Looking back on the journey, Lakshmi reflects on three recurring themes: “contentment for what has been accomplished, fulfilment in the work being done today, and hope for the future.” What started as a small observation has grown into a powerful movement—one that unites employees across roles and abilities in the shared goal of inclusivity.
Building a more inclusive future
Fidelity’s ISL Club is more than a workplace initiative—it is a testament to how grassroots efforts can create lasting change. By empowering employees to lead from the ground up, the company has fostered a movement that has transformed its offices into spaces where every employee, regardless of ability, feels seen, heard, and respected.
The ISL Club’s impact is clear: it is not just bridging communication gaps, but creating a culture where inclusion is more than a policy—it’s a practice. And as this movement continues to grow, Fidelity is setting a powerful example for how businesses can build more inclusive and empathetic workplaces.
