Inclusion in the workplace isn’t just about ramps, hiring targets, or awareness days. It’s also about how supported people feel after they join. And one of the biggest and most overlooked signals of inclusion is this: your benefits policy.
At Speshally, we work with companies that are serious about creating systems where everyone can thrive. A big part of that work? Helping teams redesign benefits so they reflect the real lives, needs, and experiences of people with disabilities.
Here’s what truly inclusive benefits can and should look like.
Why It Matters
Many professionals with disabilities face unique challenges that traditional benefits don’t account for. Think:
● Higher medical or therapy-related costs
● The need for flexible working arrangements
● Mental health or neurodivergence support
● Caregiving responsibilities
When these needs go unmet, inclusion becomes just a word not a lived experience. Companies that address these gaps don’t just retain diverse talent they build loyalty, trust, and high-performing teams.
Health Coverage That Reflects Real Needs
Inclusive healthcare should go beyond basic coverage. What helps:
● Long-term therapies, assistive devices, and behavioral health care
● Support for neurodivergent conditions and alternative treatments
● Easy-to-understand plan communication in accessible formats
We’ve seen companies rethink their health policies after realizing how many needs were hidden simply because employees didn’t feel safe asking.
Flexibility That Isn’t a Favor
For many people, flexibility isn’t a perk it’s a necessity.
What inclusive flexibility looks like:
● Hybrid or remote options as a norm, not a negotiation
● Flexible scheduling for fluctuating health conditions
● Leave options that include:
○ Disability-specific sick leave
○ Mental wellness days
○ Caregiver or dependent leave
When flexibility is built in, not requested, it builds trust.
Growth and Development for All
Inclusion means equal access to career growth. Here’s how to support that:
● Make onboarding and learning materials accessible
● Provide alternative formats and pacing for training
● Equip managers to understand different learning needs and styles
● Offer inclusive mentorship and leadership development opportunities
We helped one company revamp its internal LMS and watched previously disengaged employees become eager learners again.
Everyday Support That Makes a Real Difference
Sometimes, it’s the little things that change everything. Inclusive support can include:
● Monthly accessibility stipends (for transport, tech, or personal care)
● Expanded Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) covering disability-related counselling
● Digital and physical accessibility built into all internal platforms
These aren’t “nice to haves.” They’re the infrastructure of inclusion.
Inclusion Starts With Listening
No one knows what inclusion looks like better than those who need it. Build with not for your team by:
● Forming disability-focused ERGs (Employee Resource Groups)
● Running anonymous surveys or focus groups
● Conducting regular reviews of your benefi ts and policies
● Bringing in external inclusion partners (like Speshally) to guide the process with lived experience
When employees feel involved in shaping policies, they’re more likely to trust them and use them.
Why It’s Especially Important in India
While the RPwD Act (2016) gives a legal framework, real inclusion goes further.
Some leading practices we’ve seen in Indian companies include:
● Mobility stipends or transport allowances
● Sign language interpretation or text-to-speech tools
● Internal helplines for employees with disabilities
Localization matters. What’s inclusive in one country may not be enough in another.
Final Thought
Policy Is a Reflection of Priority
Inclusive benefits aren’t just about coverage. They’re about care.
When companies listen, learn, and act on what their employees need, they create more than just inclusive policies they build inclusive cultures.
The future of work demands flexibility, equity, and empathy. And your benefits package is a powerful way to show that your values go beyond words.
Let’s Rethink Benefits, Together
At Speshally, we help companies build policies that truly support all abilities—from the ground up.
📩 [Contact Us] | 🤝 [Partner with Speshally] | 🎧 [Tune in to The Ability Podcast]