Diageo highlights its inclusive support for people with disabilities

At Diageo, creating the most inclusive and diverse culture is core to the company's Performance Ambition and rooted deeply in their purpose.

Diageo has reinforced its focus as an inclusive employer by marking International Day of People with Disabilities. Diageo celebrated some of their work around the world that supports people with disabilities. The day also provided a chance for the company to come together to better understand what else they can be doing to create opportunities for all.

Diageo highlighted its global diversity work and amplified its dedication to continuing the conversation to understand what further action and support might be offered for people with disabilities.

To show Diageo's allyship to people with disabilities and its commitment to doing all that it can to support current and future employees, its partners, and communities, Diageo sites across the world lit up purple on International Day of People with Disabilities.

Creating effective change to support people with disabilities

Diageo partners with Euan's Guide

Creating the most inclusive and diverse culture is core to Diageo's Performance Ambition and rooted deeply in its purpose. Marking the International Day of People with Disabilities (IDPWD) across its business, the company celebrated some of its work around the world that supports people with disabilities, while also coming together to better understand what else it can be doing to create opportunities for all.

Diageo's We Are All Able employee group is at the heart of building understanding and awareness within the company of what it means to have a disability. It also champions action to support the development and employment of those with a disability, whether visible or otherwise.

As well as listening to and learning from its colleagues, Diageo recognises the value in partnering with external experts and voices for the disability community. The company is proud to be working with Disability:IN, a leading non-profit resource for business disability inclusion worldwide, to help shape its future work.

Caroline Rhodes, Global Inclusion and Diversity Director at Diageo, said, "On International Day of People with Disabilities, we are proud to be showing our support and allyship to the millions of people who are living with a disability across the world. The conversation does not stop after today and we will continue to learn from those around us to foster a culture of accessibility, where everybody can thrive.”

Global work to promote effective change

As the United Nations calls for celebrations to focus on the challenges, barriers and opportunities for people with disabilities in the context of a global pandemic, Diageo takes a look at some of the recent ways it has been supporting its employees, partners and the communities in which it operates:

In Kenya, its partnership with Sightsavers has seen it work with more than 100 smallholder farmers with disabilities in the production of its Senator Keg beer. Diageo's Kenyan business first teamed up with Sightsavers at the start of the pandemic and now in its second year. The programme has resulted in the harvesting of more than two tonnes of white sorghum across its supply chain.

Find out more about Diageo's work to support its employees and the wider East African community.

In India, its supply chain business has been working with local NGOs to pilot a recruitment programme for people with orthopedic disabilities and created a new onboarding process tailored to individual needs. Through a partnership with Youth4Jobs the team has also introduced changes to its manufacturing sites and in the last 12 months, more than 40 people with disabilities have joined the business.

In Mexico, where 16.5 per cent of the population has a disability, Diageo partners with Yo También, the main content platform in the country for disability, inclusion and accessibility. As well as providing its teams with guidance and best practice for creating an inclusive culture for those with disabilities, Diageo looks to Yo También to raise awareness and understanding amongst its employees.

In Scotland, the Johnnie Walker Princes Street team worked hand in hand with disability charity, Euan's Guide, to ensure the multi-million-pound new visitor attraction was accessible for everyone. By partnering with Euan's Guide, disability tools, features and services were incorporated into the building’s design by architects from day one and the multi-sensory visitor experience was created with visible and invisible disabilities in mind.

In partnership with colleagues at Euan's Guide, Diageo hosted colleagues at Johnnie Walker Princes Street to open the venue's Changing Place UK toilet. Read more about Johnnie Walker Princes Street partnership with Euan’s Guide.

Progressive programmes support disabled workers

Diageo's award-winning We Are All Able programme for registered disabled workers has recruited its third group of interns at the company's Shieldhall packaging site, with the six-month internships tailored to each employee’s physical, mental and workplace needs.

The success of the We Are Able programme is attributed to ensuring all 400 Shieldhall employees understand what it means to be disabled. Diageo staff are encouraged to start thought-provoking conversations and introduce initiatives to create a sense of belonging and opportunities for all.

Additionally, training courses have covered topics such as autism awareness, sensory impairment, and assistive technology.