Globe made history as the first local company to host the Philippine Business and Disability Network’s (PBDN) 4th Networking Meeting, held in partnership with Project Inclusion Network. Coinciding with National Disability Rights Week, the event gathered 36 companies and changemakers from across industries to tackle a vital question: “What does equity look like when it’s built into the very design of our systems, workplaces, and technologies?”
At the core of the discussions was the recognition that disability inclusion is not just a policy requirement or moral responsibility—it is a design challenge that demands foresight, empathy, and action.
Globe President and CEO Carl Cruz opened the session with a powerful message of commitment:
“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.”
He acknowledged that while the journey is long, Globe remains determined to listen, act, and collaborate with partners who share the same vision.
Globe AVP for Product Experience Strategy & Design Denise Haak reinforced this vision by sharing her own experience leading diverse teams in Globe and beyond. She cited examples of hiring individuals with visual, speech, and developmental disabilities, showing how inclusive hiring leads to more accessible, innovative designs.
“When we design for difference, we create better solutions for everyone,” Haak emphasized.
She also outlined practical steps companies can take toward equity—such as eliminating bias in job descriptions, offering interview accommodations, reducing unnecessary time pressures in assessments, and ensuring that digital platforms are intuitive and accessible to all.
“Inclusion doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated,” she added. “What it needs is thoughtfulness, and the courage to ask the right questions.”
Guided by its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Policy Commitment, Globe is already transforming its digital platforms with accessibility-first principles. This includes building with accessibility personas, ensuring compliance with WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) standards, applying strong color-contrast palettes, and using clear, simple language for better usability.
Adding to the momentum, Ryan Gersava, founder of social enterprise Virtualahan, shared his inspiring story of turning exclusion into empowerment. After being denied work due to a chronic illness, he built a digital skills training program that has since helped hundreds of persons with disabilities thrive in remote careers.
“Exclusion is rarely accidental—it’s the result of design decisions made without lived experiences in the room,” Gersava said. “Real inclusion is not about pity or optics. It’s about co-creating systems with the people they’re meant to serve.”
The event culminated with a hands-on workshop, “Journeys & Junctions: Mapping Inclusion Across the Employee Lifecycle.” Participants worked in small groups to examine real-world scenarios through the lens of disability personas, identifying barriers in hiring, onboarding, and performance reviews. Together, they co-created practical redesigns for policies, tech solutions, and workplace processes that foster inclusivity.
PBDN Executive Director Grant Javier closed the session with a strong 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.”
For Globe, hosting the event was more than a milestone—it was a movement. While no single company can do it alone, the gathering highlighted the power of collaboration, empathy, and innovation to build a digital world that truly works for all.
