Zain Bahrain continues to mainstream a disability inclusive culture by training employees on sign language 

Press Release.

Zain Bahrain, a telecommunications industry innovator in the Kingdom, organized a training course on sign language for its employees as part of its diversity and inclusion (D&I) initiatives to instil a culture which is diverse, equitable and inclusive at the workplace.

As part of Zain Bahrain’s D&I strategy, the training program is aimed to develop the employees’ abilities, elevate the customer experience to be more inclusive and welcoming, thereby making the Zain brand more accessible to all. The training was delivered by Abeer Saloom, founder of Ishara Training Corporation, who is considered to be the first coach with hearing impairment in the Gulf.

Zain Bahrain fosters a culture of inclusion and believes in a holistic framework for achieving the goals of inclusion and equal opportunity for all. The company has employed Bahrainis with diverse backgrounds and through the training program is enabling its employees to learn sign language for effective communication.

Zain Bahrain is committed to being an inclusive telco brand by providing equal opportunities for a better future that is accessible to all and has envisioned that the training program will promote, protect and ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by all persons (employees and customers) with disabilities. Zain Bahrain aims towards embracing an inclusive culture that supports diverse talent, broad range of attributes, experiences, and point of view, where their people collaborate successfully and enable its organization to compete in the global marketplace.

The course created awareness and sign language sensitization when dealing with people with impairment. The company scheduled multiple sessions to equip Zain Bahrain employees with three levels of sign language starting from the basics to making them confident while conversing with people having hearing impairment on the business floor.

Commenting on the training program, Fatima Haider, Manager, Sustainability & Inclusivity at Zain Bahrain said, “The training program is part of the Diversity and Inclusion strategy, a main component of ESG and is in line with our unwavering commitment to nurture a diverse and inclusive culture through a series of carefully crafted programs and initiatives. Our D&I strategy is to incorporate inclusive practices, staff training, targeted recruiting, and employer-specific D&I awareness events for employees that uplift our workforce and benefit the society.”

She further said, “Zain Bahrain is also aiming to train 10% of its staff to be proficient in sign language for effective communication. As part of Zain Bahrain’s coherent strategy, we remain steadfast in our long-standing commitment towards the Kingdom’s goal of making Bahrain an inclusive country and our initiatives are in line with the Economic Vision 2030.”  

Commenting on the training program, Abeer Saloom, founder of Ishara Training Corporation said, “I am extremely thankful for Zain Bahrain for inviting me to train their employees and it is a step which is extremely essential for excellent customer service. The sign language training will further make Zain Bahrain staff more confident when communicating with people with disabilities and demonstrates the company’s commitment towards inclusivity.

The training was designed around inclusivity, so everyone feels like a member of the team and will provide an avenue to engage in productive and meaningful conversations with the community of hard-hearing persons.”

Wala Ali, Learning & Development Specialist, Human Resources at Zain Bahrain commented, “We believe that inclusion drives innovation that drives impact on our business which led us to manifest in designing a culture that attracts, nurtures and advances the lives of our people and our customers irrespective of their differently abled status.

By conducting the sign language training, our aim was to develop awareness and sensitivity towards people with impairment as well as fostering a culture of respect towards the requirements of all our customers and employees, especially people with special needs and make them feel safe and engaged in the working and business environment. Our success will thrive from the infinite number of differences that make each one of us! Be it our life experiences, our career journey, or our educational learnings, our collaborative culture is what will keep us on top.”

Zain Bahrain is dedicated in its goal to provide equal access and opportunities not only for people within the company but also for its customers with disabilities. The company has recently launched ‘We Able’ hotline – 36107733, to cater to people with disabilities (PwDs) and their caretakers as part of its Disability Inclusion initiative. 

Bahrain-based digital platform and publication for startups in the Middle East. Exclusive events, in-depth workshops, insightful content, and informative news. In strategic partnership with Tamkeen Bahrain, Zain Bahrain, National Bank of Bahrain, Zoho, Tenmou, and StartUp Bahrain.

Startup MGZN © 2020. All Rights Reserved.