Hafsa Qadeer, a 27-year-old Pakistani expat, made the brave decision to leave her job and create a platform called ‘ImInclusive’ for people of determination. This initiative stemmed from personal experiences shared with her brother Ahmed, who is also a person of determination. Witnessing the struggles faced by her brother and mother, who temporarily acquired a disability, prompted Hafsa to work on ImInclusive full-time. This platform serves as an employability platform for people of determination seeking jobs and offers disability inclusion services to large-scale employers.
ImInclusive helps organizations develop strategies for building disability-inclusive businesses and integrates these strategies into their Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. The platform also provides CPD-certified training programs for employers to educate their teams on how to engage with people with disabilities, conduct interviews, and retain an inclusive team. The organization’s approach is supported by data-driven evidence, such as research from Accenture showing that companies that hire people with disabilities experience 28% higher revenues.
ImInclusive’s consulting and service-provider approach has resonated with large-scale clients like Dnata and Chalhoub Group, who have incorporated disability inclusion into their HR strategies. The platform hosted the largest career fair for Emirati people of determination in the UAE, attracting over 120 HR and DEI professionals. The fair aimed to create equitable opportunities for inclusive talent and was part of the Atmah Programme, the GCC’s first Social Impact Bond initiated by the Authority of Social Contribution – Ma’an.
ImInclusive has created 400 economic opportunities for people of determination, providing various roles like full-time, part-time, contractual, and event-based hiring. The organization offers an upskilling pathway for individuals to transition into the workforce, with a screening process based on registered employers’ criteria to find suitable matches. They also provide events and socialization groups to help individuals build their skills and confidence, aligning with their goal of upskilling 5,000 individuals from the community.
Despite the milestones achieved, ImInclusive remains committed to their mission of ensuring that disability does not define a person’s ability to work or live fully. The organization challenges societal perceptions and biases around disability, advocating for workplace inclusion and recognizing people of determination as capable adults. With upcoming career fairs in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, the team aims to continue expanding their impact and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible for people of determination.
