Accessible offices, a step forward for workplace inclusion

Every morning millions of people arrive at their offices hoping for a good day. For some it only takes a coffee and a well-organized schedule. For others it depends on whether the doorway is wide enough for their wheelchair or whether they are able to hear a video call clearly.

Adults spend about one third of their lives working. In that space we hope to build relationships, solve problems and grow professionally, not feel frustrated day after day because the environment where we work is not adapted to our needs.

For the work experience to be fair it must be accessible for everyone. So what makes an office or a similar workspace truly welcoming? It’s not about adding more coffee machines or designer furniture. It is about ensuring that every professional, regardless of physical ability, age, background or personal circumstance, can develop their talent without barriers.

In a global context shaped by diverse talent it is clear that 21st century accessibility is far more than a legal requirement. It is the cornerstone of a corporate culture that is genuinely inclusive. According to the World Health Organization more than one billion people, which is 15% of the global population, live with some form of disability today. This number continues to rise due to population aging and the higher prevalence of chronic conditions such as diabetes, cancer or mental disorders.

However, despite regulatory and technological progress, the reality shows that the workplace inclusion of people with disabilities remains an unresolved challenge at the global level. The International Labour Organization notes that only 36% of people with disabilities participate actively in the labor market, compared with 60% to 75% of people without disabilities. Behind those numbers there is talent, motivation and diversity that are not being fully utilized.

In the European Union the challenge is equally clear. Nearly 107 million people have some type of disability according to Eurostat, yet their employment rate barely reaches 50% and one in four lives at risk of poverty or social exclusion. For this reason improving the work environment benefits not only those who currently have a disability but the entire present and future workforce.

In this regard the European Disability Strategy 2021 to 2030 and the European Accessibility Act, which came fully into force in 2025, aim to ensure that all citizens, including those with disabilities, can access essential goods and services without obstacles. But laws alone are not enough. True inclusion is built day by day within companies.

At MAPFRE we understand that “the revolution begins at home”, meaning in our own workspaces and internal practices. For this reason we have been promoting concrete initiatives to ensure that our offices, branches and corporate tools become increasingly accessible. We have now implemented the Global Disability and Inclusion Program in every country where we operate, with measures designed to strengthen the inclusion of people with disabilities within our company. This program is built on clear goals such as promoting an inclusive workplace for employees with disabilities, positioning ourselves as a leading inclusive company in this area, increasing the representation of professionals with diverse abilities in our workforce and improving the quality of life of these employees and their families.

An important milestone in our commitment is the target we set for 2024: reaching at least 3.5% of employees with disabilities at the global level. We are proud to say that by the end of 2022 we had already achieved this level of representation. Today the figure exceeds 4%. This means that around one thousand people with disabilities are contributing their talent across MAPFRE’s different business units.

In addition more than 3,000 MAPFRE employees took part last year in training and volunteer activities related to diversity, accessibility and awareness. These efforts help us better understand the realities of others and also transform our internal culture with the intention of making inclusion no longer a program but a natural way of working.

Today five generations and 83 nationalities coexist at MAPFRE. We reflect the world we insure. Aware that real inclusion requires ongoing commitment we maintain our support for the ILO Global Business and Disability Network and the European Diversity Charter. These partnerships reinforce our commitment to making every office, every tool and every process accessible to everyone.

Because it is not only about having a job. It is about being able to perform that job under conditions that respect our abilities, our pace and our needs. The first step is opening the door to the labor market, but the next is ensuring that once inside every person can move freely, work autonomously and feel part of an environment that values them. Accessibility in the workplace is not a technical matter. It is a matter of dignity. And this is why at MAPFRE we embrace it as a genuine commitment to inclusion.

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