Alibaba Foundation released the 2024 Report of “Alibaba’s Aspirations and Actions in Support of Disability”, with a comprehensive overview of the achievements over the past year in leveraging technology to enhance the quality of life for people with disabilities.
In 2024, Alibaba Group solidified its commitment to disability inclusion by elevating “Supporting the Disabled and the Disadvantaged” as one of its four core philanthropic pillars. Through a blend of technology, employment programs, and accessibility innovations, Alibaba has created impactful solutions to empower individuals with disabilities. Here, we explore some key initiatives and broader societal implications.
Breaking Barriers: Employment and Entrepreneurship for People with Disabilities
This year, Alibaba helped over 10,000 individuals with disabilities in generating income. Programs like the Cloud Customer Service initiative offer customized policies and training to enable remote work for people with disabilities. Over 2,400 individuals have found employment as cloud customer service representatives, where flexibility and tailored tools help overcome physical constraints.
Ele.me, Alibaba’s local services platform, provides a barrier-free communication system to over 5,000 hearing-impaired riders. The company also introduced the “Dream Restaurant” initiative to help businesses employ disabled individuals through training, operational support, and packaging design. These efforts have benefited 11 restaurants, including those owned by people with disabilities.
Taobao also launched the 10,000 Merchants with Disabilities Program for aspiring entrepreneurs. This program provides e-commerce training, mentorship, and financial support. To date, it has helped over 4,200 merchants establish or grow their online businesses.
Leveraging Technology for Accessibility
Alibaba’s technology ecosystem plays a pivotal role in advancing accessibility. In 2024, Amap introduced wheelchair navigation in 58 cities, providing over 150 million barrier-free route-planning services. Additionally, new features such as visually impaired navigation and sign-language guidance enhance inclusivity for diverse user groups.
In a groundbreaking move, Alibaba unveiled China’s first AI tool for creating personalized picture books for children with autism. This tool allows families to generate custom stories, serving over 200,000 individuals and fostering creativity and connection.
Youku, Alibaba’s video streaming platform, now offers over 5,000 barrier-free movies and TV shows for visually impaired audiences through its Barrier-Free Theater. This initiative enriches cultural access and bridges gaps in entertainment.
Volunteerism and Social Impact
Volunteerism forms the backbone of Alibaba’s disability support initiatives.
Over 10,000 employees participated in charitable activities such as running events for visually impaired individuals and integration-focused marathons. Programs like the “Three Hours for a Better World” platform mobilized volunteers to conduct over 300 disability assistance activities in partnership with nonprofit organizations.
Alibaba’s philanthropic endeavors also include financial support. In 2024, the Goods for Good platform raised over RMB 13 million, funding 12 disability-related projects, including education, employment support, and healthcare access.
In May 2024, the Taopiaopiao platform, in collaboration with Alibaba Philanthropy, launched the “Wheelchair-Friendly Theater” tagging feature to support accessible moviegoing for people with disabilities. To date, more than 60 wheelchair-friendly theaters have been tagged in Beijing, Shanghai, and Hangzhou.
Bridging Policy and Practice
Recognizing that systemic change requires policy alignment, Alibaba collaborated with the China Disabled Persons’ Federation to conduct a nationwide survey on employment challenges faced by individuals with disabilities.
Key findings revealed widespread concerns about workplace discrimination, equal pay, and career development opportunities. Nearly 70% of respondents expressed the desire for equal pay for equal work alongside equal employment opportunities. Furthermore, people with disabilities generally expect diversified employment services as well as systematic and professional support.
These insights guide Alibaba’s future initiatives, reinforcing its commitment to addressing barriers in both employment and entrepreneurship. As a next step, the company aims to deepen collaborations with governments, nonprofit organizations, and private sector partners to scale its impact.
A Vision for an Inclusive Future
The achievements of 2024 underscore Alibaba’s unwavering focus on leveraging its ecosystem to empower individuals with disabilities. From barrier-free technology to employment opportunities, the group demonstrates how businesses can play a transformative role in fostering inclusion and equity.
As the global conversation around disability rights continues to evolve, Alibaba’s initiatives offer a compelling blueprint for integrating social responsibility into corporate strategy. By empowering individuals to overcome barriers and thrive, Alibaba reinforces its vision of “A Better Life for Everyone,” creating ripple effects of positivity and progress across society.
