Advancing the Success of Employees with Disabilities
Sony is home to a diverse range of individuals. Employees with disabilities are also valued as important members of that diversity.
Regardless of disability, employees grow together and contribute in an environment where people can develop and leverage one another's strengths.
Different backgrounds and experiences generate new perspectives and ideas,
enabling Sony to provide products and services that respond to a wider range of customer needs and contribute to society.
These interactions create new value and serve as a driving force that continues to deliver kando to the world.
The Founders' Vision and History
Embracing the Founder’s Vision: Cultivating an Environment Where All Can Thrive, Regardless of Disability
As reflected in the words of co-founder Masaru Ibuka, "Create workplaces that do not offer charity, but rather create an environment that makes it possible for individuals with disabilities to manufacture products that exceed those manufactured by individuals without disabilities*, top management has communicated the importance of creating working styles and environments that transcend disability and has implemented initiatives that enable individuals to thrive as employees. Through various initiatives, the Sony Group continues to expand employment opportunities across its companies while fostering an environment in which employees with disabilities can grow.
- *: Based on the approach of Ibuka that, although there are people without disabilities, no one is healthy all the time.
Expanding Employment Opportunities Inspired by the Founders' Vision
Even before employment opportunities and accommodations for people with disabilities gained broad social recognition, the Sony Group aspired to help create a society in which everyone can demonstrate their abilities and thrive, regardless of disability. In 1978, before the special subsidiary system was codified into law, Sony/Taiyo Corporation was established as a company where employees could find both meaningful work and opportunities for growth. In 2002, Sony Kibou/Hikari Corporation was established to expand employment opportunities for people with intellectual and mental disabilities. Leveraging their respective areas of expertise, these two special subsidiaries have operated as independent workplaces while also collaborating with Sony Group companies. Knowledge gained through these initiatives on employment, development, and workplace retention has been shared across the Group to promote workplace understanding and expand employment know-how. Through these efforts, the Sony Group is creating environments in which employees with disabilities can thrive across a wide range of workplaces.
Specific Initiatives
The Sony Group is creating environments in which people can build careers and thrive regardless of disability. In improving workplace environments, the Group incorporates the perspectives of employees with disabilities to review and improve accessibility in buildings and workplaces and has developed related guidelines. Based on these guidelines, efforts are being made to create workplaces where everyone can work comfortably.
In recruitment, each company and business conducts its own hiring activities, while Sony Group also holds joint recruitment events. These initiatives help applicants choose workplaces and environments that suit them, while providing opportunities to communicate directly about accommodations related to their disabilities and about working styles after joining the company, giving them a clearer understanding of the job.
Career events for students with disabilities are also held, providing opportunities to consider working in a company and future career paths.
Through these initiatives, the Sony Group is expanding opportunities for people with disabilities to take on new challenges with confidence, while also promoting understanding and strengthening support across Group companies.
At the Career Event
Wheelchair Experience Session
Reviewing and Improving Accessibility in Buildings and Workplaces
