Globe helps advance workplace inclusion in PH 

Globe became the first local company to host the Philippine Business and Disability Network’s (PBDN) 4th Networking Meeting, held in partnership with Project Inclusion Network.

Globe President and CEO Carl Cruz PHOTO FROM GLOBE

The event, attended by 36 companies, coincided with National Disability Rights Week and brought together changemakers from across sectors to address one central question: What does equity look like when it’s built into the design of systems, workplaces and technologies?

At the heart of the conversation was the belief that disability inclusion is not merely a moral obligation or policy requirement, but a fundamental design challenge.

Globe President and CEO Carl Cruz opened the event with an affirmation of the company’s commitment to inclusion.

“Inclusion is not an afterthought at Globe. We’re embedding it into our culture, our systems and our platforms because we believe every talent is important and should be cared for,” Cruz said. He acknowledged that while the road ahead is long, Globe is committed to listening, taking action and moving forward with partners who share the same vision.

Denise Haak, Globe AVP for Product Experience Strategy and Design, shared her own experience building diverse teams both within Globe and in past workplaces. She highlighted stories of hiring individuals with visual, speech and developmental disabilities to show how inclusive hiring leads to accessible design.

“When we design for difference, we create better solutions for everyone,” Haak said.

She added that organizations can start practicing equity by reviewing job descriptions for bias, offering interview accommodations, removing unnecessary time pressure from tests and making sure digital tools are easy to navigate for everyone.

“Inclusion doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated,” Haak said. “What it needs is thoughtfulness, and the courage to ask the right questions.”

Guided by its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Policy Commitment, Globe is redesigning its web platforms to deliver a more equitable online experience. Its initiatives include incorporating accessibility personas for user-centered development, ensuring compliance with WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) standards, adopting color-contrast palettes and using clear, simple language.

Social innovator and Virtualahan founder Ryan Gersava underscored the urgency of the conversation with his personal story. Denied employment after being diagnosed with a chronic illness, Gersava turned exclusion into action by creating a digital skills training program that has empowered hundreds of persons with disabilities to launch remote careers.

He reminded participants that exclusion is rarely accidental but rather the result of design decisions made without lived experience in the discussion and creation of policies and systems.

“Real inclusion is not about pity or optics. It’s about co-creating systems with the people they’re meant to serve,” Gersava said.

The event concluded with a workshop titled “Journeys & Junctions: Mapping Inclusion Across the Employee Lifecycle.” In small groups, participants explored real-world scenarios through the lens of disability personas, identifying barriers across stages like hiring, onboarding and performance review. Teams then co-created practical redesigns of policies, tech solutions or process tweaks that could lead to more inclusive work experiences.

PBDN Executive Director Grant Javier ended the event with a call to action.

“Our progress hinges on cultivating a wider network of allies and champions. This extends beyond persons with disabilities themselves to encompass the very individuals with whom they work, fostering a truly inclusive ecosystem,” Javier said.

For Globe, hosting the event was more than a milestone — it was a movement. While no single company can do it alone, the meeting demonstrated that with the right partnerships and the right questions, it is possible to build a digital world that works for all.