Over a third of companies have pledged to accelerate disability inclusion in the wake of COVID-19, according to The Valuable 500. The global movement aiming to get 500 of the world’s largest businesses to commit to placing disability inclusion on their business leadership agendas has released the results of its latest research to mark the 30th anniversary of Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Day yesterday. The latest research explores how companies are working to improve their diversity and inclusion (D&I) policies.
Valuable’s findings reveal that 35% of companies are now more aware than ever of the needs of people with disabilities and are accelerating their actions and commitments to disability inclusion and accessibility. Changing perceptions around remote and flexible working, and a growing realisation of the importance of an inclusive and diverse corporate culture, have been identified as contributing factors for this trend.
LONG WAY FROM TRUE EQUALITY
However, Valuable’s report also notes that there is still a long way to go until equality is truly achieved. Around 15% of organisations surveyed have had to shelve efforts around disability inclusion due to immediate challenges in the wake of a global health pandemic. Despite 88% of corporations claiming disability inclusion is important to their business strategy, only 8% regularly include people with disabilities in marketing and communications.
“It’s important we simultaneously celebrate the progress made over the past 30 years on the anniversary of the ADA, while ensuring the call to action in this space remains loud and clear,” stated Caroline Casey, Founder of The Valuable 500. “As economies globally look to recover, it is vital we do not return to business as usual but learn from the lessons of COVID-19. Now is a critical time to reset business leaders’ attitudes to disability inclusion.”
VALUABLE CUSTOMERS & STAFF
The Valuable 500’s goal is critical as 15% of people worldwide live with a disability. When you include the families of those living with a disability, this number rises to 53%, according to its research. Under US regulation, businesses can apply for permits to pay disabled employees well below the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour, points out Valuable. Businesses “cannot afford to exclude this huge market comprising of talented employees and valuable customers with a spending power of $8 trillion per annum”, notes the movement.
The Valuable 500 is calling on businesses globally to join its movement and pledge to put disability on their board agendas. Currently only 56 US firms have signed up to The Valuable 500 – comprising just 18% of its membership – despite the fact that America is the largest world economy.
Launched on the main stage at the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting in January 2019, The Valuable 500 membership has around 296 signed up companies. The latest global organisations to join the movement include Barilla, Black & Veatch, Boston Consulting Group (BCG), Calvin Klein, Dentsu, Greene King, InMoment, MesoAmerica, Nuance Communications, Roche Pharma UK, Seibu Group, Software AG, Tara Chand Logistic (India), Tommy Hilfiger, Voya Financial, Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP and Zain Electrocomponents PLC.
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