Diverse - AIF

Why DI-verse?

Diversity drives business success—boosting profitability, reputation, and innovation. Yet millions of employable Persons with Disabilities face barriers like poor accessibility and limited career pathways, leaving companies to miss out on talent and inclusive markets.

Approximately 50% of India’s disabled population—13 million people—is employable. Yet, only 26% have jobs¹.Census 2011 & Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment

A stark gap remains—just 3 employees with disabilities for every 1,000 on the rolls at India’s top Nifty corporates, despite growing commitments to diversity².The Economic Times

The cost of non-compliance is steep - Companies may lose up to 13 trillion dollars by failing to be disability-inclusive³.The World Economic Forum

How DI-verse Works?

Incubated by AIF’s ABLE Program, DI-verse is India’s first corporate certification embedding disability inclusion into workplace culture. Backed by 15+ years of expertise, it offers a structured, results-driven framework for equitable hiring, accessibility, and inclusive policies.

Launched by Shri Rajesh Aggarwal (IAS), Secretary, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, DI-verse evaluates and certifies organizations across six key disability inclusion pillars:

Leadership & Policy Commitment – Driving inclusion from the top

Workforce Representation & Talent Development – Ensuring equitable hiring, retention, and career growth

Accessibility & Workplace Adjustments – Creating barrier-free physical and digital environments

Supplier & Customer Inclusion – Extending accessibility beyond employees

Community Engagement & Advocacy – Championing systemic change

Inclusive Branding & Communication – Ensuring authentic representation in corporate messaging

Through a three-tier certification system, organizations are guided to become disability-inclusive, future-ready businesses:

Grade A

(Inclusion Initiator)

Recognizing companies taking the first steps in their inclusion journey.

Grade AA

(Inclusion Accelerator)

Spotlight organizations making significant strides in inclusive practices.

Grade AAA

(Inclusion Pioneer)

Celebrating businesses leading the way in workplace accessibility and equity.

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DI-verse certified companies

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Past Events

Mar

Purple Fest 2025

Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi

Mar

Future of Livelihoods

Ambassador, New Delhi

Feb

Purple Fest 2024

Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi

Partner With Us — Build a Future Where Everyone Belongs

Consultation & Strategy Development

Helping companies integrate disability inclusion into their core business model

Policy Frameworks & Accessibility Audits

Identifying gaps and driving measurable improvements

DEI Training & Workshops

Equipping HR, leadership teams, and employees with practical tools for inclusion

DI-VERSE Ecosystem Drivers

Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment

The American India Foundation partners with the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities to scale equitable employment for persons with disabilities across India. This partnership translates government policy into actionable programs: nationwide job fairs and targeted placement drives create direct pathways to employment, while a standardized 70-hour employability skills curriculum equips candidates with the knowledge, soft skills, and competencies required to succeed in diverse market roles. Beyond placements, the initiative strengthens employer engagement through sensitization workshops, accessible recruitment practices, and guidance on implementing reasonable workplace accommodations, ensuring that employment is sustainable and inclusive. The partnership generates data-driven insights to inform program design, enabling continuous improvement and clear accountability. By leveraging DEPwD’s platforms and AIF’s operational expertise, the collaboration expands reach, enhances workforce readiness, and drives systemic change. It enables persons with disabilities to access equitable and sustainable employment, develop meaningful careers, participate fully in the workforce, and achieve economic independence, while encouraging organizations to embed inclusive practices into their policies and culture.

Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre (ISLRTC)

AIF’s partnership with ISLRTC focuses on removing communication barriers that block access to meaningful work for Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals. Central to the partnership is a 40-hour Basic Indian Sign Language course designed for corporate employees and HR professionals, equipping teams to communicate directly with colleagues who use ISL. Beyond training, the collaboration promotes inclusive workplace practices, integrating ISL into onboarding, meetings, signage, and daily workflows, and providing guidance for managers on inclusive communication strategies. This initiative drives measurable impact at multiple levels: it enhances recruitment and retention, improves employee engagement, performance management, and fosters a culture where communication accessibility is standard practice. By building organizational capacity, producing modular and scalable learning resources, supporting trainer development, and integrating ISL into daily operations, the partnership strengthens systemic inclusion. It enables Deaf and Hard of Hearing employees to participate fully, contribute meaningfully, and advance their careers, establishing accessible communication as a strategic driver of inclusion, productivity, and dignity in the workplace.

News and Media

MAY 02, 2025

American India Foundation and GOI Honor Corporate Leaders in Disability Inclusion at First-Ever DI-verse Certification Ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan

New Delhi [India], May 2: The American India Foundation (AIF), catalyzing social and economic change in India for the past two decades, co-sponsored the ‘Purple Fest’ at the official residence of the President of India–Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi. The illustrious event was organized by the Department for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India.

MAR 08, 2024

Why Women with Disabilities Need to be at Front of Employment Opportunities

The daughter of a daily wage worker, 29-year-old Shabana Khan was born without upper limbs. Hailing from Haryana, her family consists of seven members with her father as a sole bread earner. Shabana, being the eldest of her siblings, always wanted to support her family but faced disappointments owing to her condition.

MAR 07, 2024

American India Foundation Launches DI-verse Aiming To Transform Workplaces For PwD

For years, there have been countless instances of discriminatory behaviour toward individuals with disabilities in the professional environment. A survey conducted by Equality Human Rights in the year 2022 revealed that at least 18 percent of respondents reported facing some form of unjust treatment, discrimination, bullying, or harassment in their workplace.

FEB 29, 2024

American India Foundation and GoI Celebrate the ‘Purple Fest’ – an Inclusive Festival for PwDs at Rashtrapati Bhavan

New Delhi, India: American India Foundation, catalyzing social and economic change in India for the past 23 years, co-sponsored the ‘Purple Fest’ at the official residence of the President of India – Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi. The illustrious event was organized by the Department for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India. Over 10,000 Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) and dozens of civil society organizations championed awareness of disability and celebrated inclusivity in the presence of the Hon’ble President of India Smt. Droupadi Murmu, along with Hon’ble Ministers of DEPwD.

FEB 01, 2024

Breaking the Mould: A Call for True Inclusivity in Indian Workplaces

A 2010 study conducted by the International Labor Organization (ILO) indicated that the economic cost of excluding individuals with disabilities ranges from 3 to 7 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in middle and lower-income countries.

DEC 06, 2023

Are workplaces doing enough for persons with disability?

Persons with disability have impairments while ‘disability’ is what the ecosystem enforces! Let that sink in. Refusing the ramp, denying the accessible toilets, insisting that you apply for a job online while the technology is not adaptive to your disability, disallowing the use of a different keyboard, and a general assumption that these adaptations are not worth the bother.

FAQs

Why get certified?

Gain the Inclusion Advantage: Attract top talent, boost brand reputation, and strengthen market position. Inclusive workplaces drive higher productivity and lower attrition (Harvard Business Review).
Tap into a $13 Trillion Market: Inclusive brands earn stronger consumer trust and lasting loyalty (World Economic Forum).
Gain Government Recognition & Compliance Edge: Align with India’s RPwD Act and global ESG & DEI standards. DI-verse is more than a certification; it’s a business game-changer.