Be Equal

DiversAbility

We champion people with diverse abilities and the previously untapped potential they bring to the workplace. This includes neurodiversity, a concept where neurological differences are to be recognized and respected as any other human variation. This includes Autism, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity, Dyscalculia, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Tourette’s Syndrome, and many other neurological differences. We are dedicated to hiring, supporting, educating and embracing people of all abilities.

Be Outspoken

Dyllan Rafail

“Neurodiversity is important because if there were no differences in the way that people thought…new ideas would not be created.”

Dyllan Rafail
Test Automation Specialist, IBM

Be Outspoken

Michael Supa

“No person is handicapped if he has the right job.”

Michael Supa
Equal-opportunity Administrator, IBM 1942 - 1980

Features

Beyond compliant
Accessibility is not just a practice, it’s a culture and a mindset. Design, build, and test like an accessibility expert.

A woman in a wheelchair, a man and two women in a meeting

Features

When Neurodiversity Works
This documentary follows four autistic individuals on their journey to find meaningful work and independence. This film demonstrates the importance of neurodiversity in the workplace, and the benefits it has not only on business, but on all of us.

Group of people walking towards camera

Features

Accessible design thinking in the enterprise world
Building inclusive products requires shifting responsibilities to the right places, using the right tools, and getting help from the experts.

Accessible Design Thinking in the Enterprise World graphic

Community

Meet leaders focused on diversity of abilities at IBM.

Chieko Asakawa

IBM Fellow and IBM Distinguished Service Professor

Brent Shiver

Advisory Software Engineer, Accessibility Technology & Innovation, IBM

Ingrid Weiss

Neurodivergent QA Specialist, IBM

Numbers

  • 15%

    World’s population that is living with a disability¹

  • 1:54

    People who are autistic²

  • 80%

    Persons with disabilities who are under or unemployed in the U.S.³
¹WHO World Report on Disability
²Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR 2020)
³U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Economic News Release

Associations

We’re teaming with external organizations devoted to making a difference, leveraging research and offering resources to our employees.

Perspectives

IBM and IBMers stand with the Neurodiverse community and call for change to ensure equality.

CGI neurons: foreground neuron in focus, background neuron blurry
-ABLE

Resources

Learn from established organizations about how to get involved and take action.

Sign language icons
Harnessing the Power of Video Remote Interpreting in Professional Space

Champion diversity

Every one of us is a complex combination of diverse characteristics. Learn more about other communities and embrace all aspects of identity.

Pivotal moments

1942

IBM hired blind psychologist Michael Supa to create a program for hiring and training people with disabilities.

Pivotal moments

1999

Japanese IBM Fellow Chieko Asakawa, who is blind, opened the web for non-visual access with her IBM Home Page Reader, which converts text to speech and helps blind people navigate the web.

Pivotal moments

2000

Establishment of the IBM Human Ability and Accessibility Center within IBM Research. The 40-person organization leads compliance initiatives so IBM products comply with all government accessibility requirements; and works with clients and IBM ® Business Partners to help them implement end-to-end policies, processes and solutions for accessibility.