Around 2.2% of Malaysians are officially registered as having disabilities, according to the Department of Statistics Malaysia. Globally, the figure is 16%, based on data from the World Health Organization. Yet most are still shut out of the workforce. Not because they can’t work, but because they’re not given the chance.

Today, we hear from Amirul Safuan, a spinal cord injury survivor and the founder of Ameer Safone Ventures, on how he’s working to change that. From launching a fragrance brand with purpose, to building Malaysia’s first AI skills training programme for persons with disabilities, Amirul is proving that inclusion isn’t just the right thing to do — it’s smart business. We discuss why inclusion efforts often fall short, what employers still get wrong, and how leaders can start creating workplaces where everyone belongs.