With an aim to offer lasting employment opportunities to individuals with disabilities, Amazon has introduced ‘Aurora.’ The initiative focuses on establishing fundamental elements and support structures for these individuals, and is aligned with company’s commitment to cultivate a diverse workforce.
Under the initiative, the e-commerce giant will promote employee awareness and encouraging staff to be allies to individuals with learning disabilities, alongside the recruitment of such talent.
To successfully run the programme, the company plans to incorporate global best practices, tailored to meet the needs of Indian employees. Hence, the company has planned listening sessions with associates to gather feedback for interventions aimed at fostering a positive experience. Additionally, enhanced training sessions will be conducted for existing employees to heighten their awareness and sensitivity to this group.
Furthermore, the company aims to expand this programme, intending to hire a significant number of individuals with learning disabilities this year in fulfilment centres, sortation centres, and delivery stations.
The programme has already been run in a pilot form, where Amazon India partnered with Mumbai-based non-profit Sol’s ARC for vocational training of individuals with autism and intellectual disabilities. The pilot, involving young adults in delivery stations across Delhi, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Mumbai, and Chennai, employed over 35 associates.
Explaining her thoughts about this pilot programme, Khushi Thakkar, an employee with a learning disability at Amazon’s delivery station in Mumbai, emphasised how the programme has boosted her confidence and social skills. She also pointed out that it has helped her learn how to scan and sort customer orders at Amazon. Moreover, the pilot programme has helped her pick new skills at work.
Liju Thomas, director-HR operations, Amazon India, emphasised the company’s dedication to create opportunities for underrepresented groups. “Aurora is yet another initiative towards creating a truly inclusive and equitable workplace for people with learning disabilities,” he added.