IBM has been given two awards from the government of India for its work on improving the lives of individuals with disabilities.
The first award was India’s National Award 2009 in the category of “Technological Innovation, ” which recognizes the work of IBM researchers in creating technology for what IBM calls the “Spoken Web.” Developed by IBM Research in India, this voice-enabled technology allows people with little or no literacy, or those with visual impairment, to access and share information, make business transactions, and create social networks using cell or landline phones.
The second award was the 2009 Helen Keller Award from India’s National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People, which honors IBM for its policies and practices that give equal-employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
Shanker Annaswamy, managing director of IBM India Pvt Ltd., said IBM recruited its first employee with disability almost a century ago and has a long history of creating an inclusive work environment. The company was also one of the first developers for disabilities when it created a Braille printer in 1975 and a talking typewriter for the blind in 1980.
Annaswamy said “We take pride in promoting accessibility through innovative products and unique services that can drive growth for the company, individuals, and the larger society. We are honored to receive this recognition for the third consecutive year.”
IBM also received top honors in India’s National Awards in the categories of “Best Employer” and “Accessibility Innovation.”
