KFC India has taken a pioneering step to strengthen workplace inclusion by launching a written English comprehension programme for its speech and hearing-impaired (SHI) team members. The initiative is part of the brand’s ongoing Kshamata programme and is rolled out in partnership with Atypical Advantage, an Indian livelihood platform for persons with disabilities.
The programme aims to train 100 per cent of KFC India’s SHI teams in essential English writing and comprehension skills by 2026. Designed as a 50-hour virtual curriculum, it focuses on basic grammar, reading comprehension, and email writing. This initiative addresses a key challenge for SHI employees, who often have early education primarily in Indian Sign Language (ISL), while workplace communication frequently requires English proficiency.
Speaking about the programme, Aman Lal, chief people officer, KFC India, said, “KFC Kshamata reiterates our commitment to feeding people’s potential and building a more inclusive workplace. Communication is critical to bridging the ability gap. This written English programme will empower our SHI teams to navigate workplace communication independently and confidently.”
This programme complements KFC India’s broader inclusion milestones under Kshamata, including mandatory ISL training for all new employees, dedicated Sign Language Coaches, and Special KFCs run by SHI teams. Over the past five years, the SHI workforce has doubled, with five per cent now holding restaurant leadership roles.
By integrating English comprehension skills alongside ISL proficiency, KFC India is strengthening its commitment to empowering specially-abled employees, fostering career growth, and creating a truly inclusive workplace.
