Key Impact Points:
- 45% of companies now publish diversity reports with disability data, up from 24% last year.
- 71% ensure digital products are accessible, up from 64% in 2023.
- Disability inclusion recognized as a sustainability issue in the EU’s new Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive.
- Disability:IN expands globally, with new benchmarking in seven countries.
- Wells Fargo named Inclusive Business of the Year at the 2024 Disability:IN Inclusion Awards.
Disability:IN 2024 Report: Progress and Challenges
The 2024 Disability Equality Index® report, launched at the Disability:IN Global Conference & Expo in Las Vegas, shows significant improvements in disability inclusion among U.S. companies. Participation has grown 7x since its inception, now including 542 companies.
The report notes a rise in diversity reporting, with 45% of companies publishing disability metrics, up from 24% in 2023. Additionally, 71% of companies ensure digital product accessibility, compared to 64% last year. However, boardroom inclusion remains low, with only 11% of companies having an openly disabled director and just 3% reporting on disability at the board level.
Global Expansion and Legislative Milestones
For the first time, the Disability Equality Index expanded to seven new international markets: Brazil, Canada, Germany, India, Japan, the Philippines, and the UK. This aligns with the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive, the first major mandate to integrate disability into business accountability standards.
Expanding the Disability Equality Index
“Expanding the Disability Equality Index internationally reflects the high demand for better disability inclusion and reporting in global markets,” said Jill Houghton, president and CEO of Disability:IN. “The Index now helps businesses worldwide drive positive change, but more work is needed to tap into the potential of the global disability community as consumers, employees, and suppliers.”
Actionable Insights for Businesses
Accenture’s updated research, based on the Disability Equality Index, shows that companies leading in disability inclusion see significant business gains, including 1.6 times more revenue and 2 times more economic profit over five years. Disability:IN suggests five actionable steps for companies to enhance inclusion:
- Implement a confidential self-identification process for employees with disabilities.
- Utilize disability-focused Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) for insights.
- Conduct accessibility audits per the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines.
- Revise corporate governance charters to include directors with disabilities.
- Increase spending with Disability-Owned Business Enterprises® (DOBEs).
Disability:IN 2024 Inclusion Awards
The 2024 Disability:IN Inclusion Awards celebrated exceptional disability inclusion across 12 categories. Wells Fargo was named Inclusive Business of the Year for its comprehensive inclusion strategies. Kristy Fercho, Head of Diverse Segments, Representation, and Inclusion at Wells Fargo, expressed gratitude, “Thank you, Disability:IN, for recognizing our commitment to our employees, communities, and customers with disabilities.”
Other notable awardees include:
- DXC Technology for Autism Inclusion.
- Procter & Gamble for Accessibility Impact.
- BNY’s HEART for Global ERG Impact.
- Elizabeth Joyce of State Street as ERG/BRG Executive Sponsor of the Year.
- Amazon Devices and Services for Inclusive Marketing Campaign.
- Nedra Dickson of Accenture for Supplier Diversity Advocacy.
- Sena Pottackal of Current Global as NextGen Alumni Achievement.
- Google for Inclusive Procurement.
- Michael Wirth of Chevron for CEO leadership.
- Synterex, Inc. as DOBE of the Year.
“Each year we are fortunate to see exemplary disability inclusion efforts from so many worthy companies and individuals,” said Jill Houghton. “Our 2024 Inclusion Awards recipients represent the companies that have demonstrated noteworthy efforts in disability inclusion and accessibility. On behalf of everyone at Disability:IN, we applaud you.”
The 2024 Disability Equality Index report and the Disability:IN Inclusion Awards showcase significant strides in disability inclusion while highlighting areas needing improvement. As disability inclusion becomes recognized globally as a sustainability issue, these benchmarks and awards guide companies toward more inclusive and equitable practices.
Read the full 2024 Disability Equality Index Report here.
