- Global Experts Gather to Expand Perspectives on Disability Employment
- DEIA Becomes the DNA of Workplace Sustainability
Group photo of all participants at the “2025 Taipei International Forum on Employment for Persons with Disabilities × International Conference on Human Resource Development.”
This year’s forum gathered distinguished experts, corporate representatives, and nonprofit partners from the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, and Taiwan to discuss two key topics—“Driving Inclusive Employment Through DEIA: Global Perspectives on Disability Workforce Integration” and “New Models of Disability Employment.” From policy development to practical implementation and social innovation, the forum presented a more inclusive and sustainable vision for global employment.
On the first day, Professor Susanne M. Bruyere from the ILR School, Cornell University, delivered a keynote speech titled “Promoting Disability Employment: US Public Policy and Workplace Practices,” emphasizing that employing persons with disabilities is not merely a matter of social responsibility but a core element of corporate competitiveness and sustainability. Professor Anica Zeyen from the Royal Holloway Business School, University of London, introduced four major models of disability employment policies across the EU: the Activation Model, Quota Model, Structural Approaches Model, and Social Economy Model. She highlighted that incentive-based policies must be paired with practical measures—such as accessible transportation, inclusive education, and diverse training systems—to create genuine inclusion. Professor Kazuaki Maebara from the Graduate School of Education, Akita University, shared Japan’s experiences of government–NGO collaboration in promoting institutionalized disability employment, underscoring the importance of cross-sector cooperation and individualized support. Director Kun-Hung Chen from the Workforce Development Agency, Taipei City Government, noted that diversity and inclusion are essential trends of the time. Taipei City has long promoted employment for persons with disabilities, working closely with social organizations to help companies meet employment quotas and create inclusive workplaces.
The afternoon session focused on “New Models of Disability Employment.” Associate Professor Tomohito Nozaki from the International University of Health and Welfare shared Japan’s case study on “Promoting Employment for People with Disabilities through Corporate Collaboration to Address Challenges and Move toward an Inclusive Society,” showcasing how local partnerships provide supportive environments and community engagement for persons with disabilities. Sabrina Chen, CEO of Flow, Inc., and Katsuhisa Okazaki, General Manager of the Digital Creation Division at TANSEISHA Co., Ltd., presented “Building Sustainable DEI Teams for People with and without Disabilities: DEI is Not Just an Advocacy, but a Competitive Edge – From an Accessible Workplace to Innovative Corporate Practices,” illustrating how cross-border collaboration and digital skills training can empower inclusive innovation. Hsiu-Yen Yang, Deputy Executive Director of the Children Are Us Foundation, introduced “Corporate Inclusion Models: Sharing the Employment Cooperation Model,” which demonstrated how collaboration with ASUS created a triple-win for corporations, nonprofits, and employees. Gu-Ting Wang, Station Manager of the Sunshine Jianbei Gas Station of the Sunshine Social Welfare Foundation, and Claire Shen, Executive Vice President of Chouki International Co., Ltd., shared “Heart Boost Mode: Co-creating a Diverse, Inclusive Collaboration Model with Enterprises,” presenting a comprehensive vocational training system to enhance employability and expand diverse career pathways for persons with disabilities. Ying-Su Chang, Executive Director of the Taipei Victory Social Welfare Foundation, and Vita Wu, Department Manager of Taiwan FamilyMart Co., Ltd., shared “The Last Mile of Disability Employment Returning to the Community – A Case Study with FamilyMart,” introducing Taiwan’s first convenience store operated by a team of employees with disabilities. Over 400 persons with disabilities have joined the workforce through this model, and some hearing-impaired employees have even become franchise owners, setting a benchmark for social inclusion in business.
Through the speakers’ practical experiences, the forum revealed that with proper workplace training and support, persons with disabilities can develop professional expertise and achieve stable careers. Collaboration between nonprofits and corporations creates mutually beneficial results: nonprofits facilitate understanding, communication, and management, while corporations provide long-term employment opportunities. Business representatives shared that they have learned much from working with disabled employees, whose unique qualities often improve product quality and enrich corporate culture, fostering a more inclusive and positive working environment.
On the second day, the theme focused on “Strategic Inclusion: How Companies Are Reshaping HR for Equity and Diversity.” Assistant Professor Chang-Kyu Kwon from the Department of Education Policy, Organization and Leadership, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, delivered a keynote speech titled “From Fitting In to Being Me: Leading Disability Inclusion with a Whole Self Culture,” emphasizing that a truly inclusive culture enables employees to express their authentic selves without concealment, thereby driving innovation and sustainable growth. Dr. Kelly Nye-Lengerman, Research Professor at the University of Maryland, gave a presentation on “Making the Case for Inclusive Recruiting and Hiring: Strategies for HR Professionals to Advance Inclusion in the Workplace,” highlighting that hiring persons with disabilities is not only a part of corporate social responsibility but also a powerful driver of innovation, economic benefit, and brand competitiveness.
Aya Kimura, Senior General Manager of the Collaborative Center at Suntory Business Systems Ltd., presented “Case Study of Japanese Companies Hiring Persons with Intellectual Disabilities,” sharing practical strategies from Japan’s corporate sector. Chih-Wei Hsu, Director of the Human Resources Division, STARLUX Airlines Co., Ltd., discussed “Corporate Strategies and Practices in Hiring Persons with Disabilities: How HR Implements ESG or DEIA Concepts,” while Bobby Wei-Ming Huang, Human Resources Supervisor at Courtyard Taipei Downtown Hotel, presented “DEI Network,” explaining how inclusive HR networks foster collaboration and accessibility in the workplace. The forum concluded with a panel discussion moderated by Professor Ting-Fang Wu from the Graduate Institute of Rehabilitation Counseling and Gerontological Wellbeing, National Taiwan Normal University, calling on both corporations and policymakers to continue strengthening support systems for disability employment and turning inclusion from an idea into concrete practice.
The two-day international forum brought together valuable insights from academia, business, social organizations, and government sectors. Through discussions of national policies, corporate strategies, and practical case studies, it showcased diverse approaches to disability employment and their long-term positive impact on organizations. Experts agreed that empowering employees with disabilities not only strengthens corporate development but also advances social sustainability. As DEIA+ becomes the core DNA of the workplace, fostering an inclusive culture that respects every individual is essential for achieving lasting fairness, empathy, and collective progress.
(Event highlights from the “2025 Taipei International Forum on Employment for Persons with Disabilities × International Conference on Human Resource Development.”)
(Lecture by Professor
Susanne M. Bruyere from Cornell University, USA, at the “2025 Taipei
International Forum on Employment for Persons with Disabilities × International
Conference on Human Resource Development.”)