KFC India has announced a new initiative to train its speech and hearing-impaired (SHI) team members in written English comprehension.
The program, launched in partnership with Atypical Advantage—a livelihood platform for persons with disabilities—aims to equip 100% of KFC India’s SHI workforce with essential English writing and reading skills by 2026.
This move builds on the brand’s ongoing Kshamata program, which focuses on workplace inclusion and skill development for specially-abled employees.
The English training initiative was unveiled on the International Day of Sign Languages, reinforcing KFC India’s commitment to bridging communication gaps and fostering independent workplace engagement.
KFC India Addressing Communication Barriers in the Workplace
Many SHI employees at KFC India have received early education primarily in Indian Sign Language (ISL), which poses challenges in environments where written English is the dominant mode of communication.
The new program is designed to address this gap by offering a 50-hour virtual curriculum focused on basic grammar, reading comprehension, and email writing.
Aman Lal, Chief People Officer at KFC India, emphasized the importance of communication in building inclusive workplaces.
“KFC Kshamata reiterates our commitment to feeding people’s potential and building a more inclusive workplace. Communication is critical to bridging the ability gap. This written English program will empower our SHI teams to navigate workplace communication independently and confidently,” he said.
Curriculum and Delivery Model
KFC India will deliver the training virtually, enabling SHI team members across various locations to participate.
The program designers have tailored the curriculum to meet the specific needs of SHI employees, focusing on practical workplace scenarios such as writing emails, understanding instructions, and reading operational documents.
Atypical Advantage, which co-developed the program, brings expertise in designing inclusive learning pathways.
Vineet Saraiwala, Founder and CEO of Atypical Advantage, noted, “True inclusion begins when persons with disabilities are equipped with the tools to thrive independently. This partnership with KFC India is a landmark step towards unlocking the potential of speech and hearing-impaired talent by building their confidence in written English—a critical workplace skill”.
KFC India Building on Kshamata’s Milestones
Over the past five years, KFC India has doubled its SHI workforce and introduced several inclusion-focused practices.
KFC India requires mandatory ISL training for all new employees and has deployed dedicated Sign Language Coaches.
It has also established Special KFC outlets that are run entirely by SHI teams.
KFC India has trained more than 18,000 employees in Indian Sign Language (ISL). Currently, five percent of SHI team members hold leadership roles in its restaurants.
The addition of written English training complements these efforts, enabling SHI employees to engage more fully in operational and managerial tasks.
A Model for Inclusive Employment
KFC India is strengthening both ISL and written English skills among its specially-abled employees.
This dual approach sets a precedent for inclusive employment in the quick-service restaurant (QSR) sector.
The company is addressing both visual and written communication needs.
This approach is helping create a more accessible and empowering work environment for specially-abled employees.
The initiative aligns with broader corporate social responsibility goals.
It demonstrates how targeted training can enhance workplace equity and support career growth for underrepresented groups.
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