Business Disability Forum
LightNews LightNews
banner
businessdisability.bsky.social
Business Disability Forum
@businessdisability.bsky.social
280 followers 200 following 290 posts
The leading business membership organisation in disability inclusion.
Posts Replies Media Videos
businessdisability.bsky.social
Ensuring your frontline staff deliver exceptional service to #DisabledCustomers has many benefits, including a better customer experience, new skills for colleagues and a boosted reputation for your brand.

Explore our Desk-Free Workers Project: https://ow.ly/NFf550XGq6s
Partially sighted sales assistant handing a receipt to a customer over a counter in a cinema. They are both smiling and there's a bag of popcorn on the counter. Business Disability Forum's 'Changing the image of disability' logo is in the lower right corner of the image.
December 15, 2025 at 10:00 AM
businessdisability.bsky.social
Do you want to raise your brand’s profile by sponsoring a category in our prestigious #DisabilitySmartImpactAwards 2026?

Your brand will feature in our marketing from now until April, and you’ll receive a place to attend the ceremony.

Get in touch on [email protected]
Audience members clapping during an event.
December 11, 2025 at 12:00 PM
businessdisability.bsky.social
There's been a flurry of policy developments related to disability inclusion in the UK recently. What does it mean for business? Join our half-day hybrid conference to explore the new challenges and opportunities.

12 February, 10 am to 1 pm. Open to our membership only.

https://ow.ly/E3lW50XGTxZ
Panel speaker talking into a microphone at an event.
December 11, 2025 at 9:00 AM
businessdisability.bsky.social
Today we're publishing new research with Opinium on the experiences of UK disabled adults as workers and consumers.

The findings show that barriers still exist. However, a better understanding of disability is key factor in improving inclusion.

Read the findings: https://ow.ly/jAM450XGNPw
Person with spina bifida, who uses a wheelchair, browses soft furnishings with a friend who has a less-visible disability. Business Disability Forum's 'Changing the image of disability' logo is in the lower right corner of the image.
December 10, 2025 at 12:26 PM
businessdisability.bsky.social
Why you should enter the #DisabilitySmartImpactAwards: they're a real catalyst for change. Last year they sparked a collaboration between winners Purpl Discounts and Mobility in Motion, with tangible impact for disabled people.

Read the blog: https://ow.ly/1py850Xtplg
Georgina Colman, who uses a wheelchair, speaking into a microphone on stage at the 2025 Disability Smart Impact Awards ceremony. Bruce Lauder and Lynsey Bienati of Mobility in Motion receiving their award on stage. Bruce is speaking into a microphone while Lynsey looks on with a smile.
December 10, 2025 at 11:50 AM
businessdisability.bsky.social
The #EuropeanAccessibilityAct (EAA) came into effect this year. What are you working on?

Access our free resource on the #EAA to confirm what you need to know and do:
https://ow.ly/i8sB50XyI60

#BDFTechTaskforce #A11y
Traveller with multiple disabilities, who's holding a mobility aid, being pushed in a wheelchair by a worker in hi-vis in an airport. Business Disability Forum's 'Changing the image of disability' logo is in the lower right corner of the image.
December 9, 2025 at 11:45 AM
businessdisability.bsky.social
How can global organisations manage differences in regulation across regions? Do we still need a business case for #DisabilityInclusion? What do we know of the EAA?

Get the highlights of our #GlobalConference2025 (sponsored by HSBC) on our website: https://ow.ly/wbP150XCHrt

#DisabilitySmartWorld
Official graphic for the Global Conference 'Disability inclusion in a complex world', which took place online on 20 November 2025.
December 6, 2025 at 10:00 AM
businessdisability.bsky.social
Ready, set, enter! The #DisabilitySmartImpactAwards 2026 are now open for entries until 21 January at 5 pm🎉

Enter today to gain recognition for your organisation’s impact on the lives of disabled people, and to inspire others.

How to enter: https://ow.ly/VsXm50XAP4H

#IDPWD #IDPWD2025
Disability Smart Impact Awards 2026 graphic: the awards' name with the Business Disability Forum logo against a lilac background, next to blue and purple stars.
December 4, 2025 at 2:13 PM
businessdisability.bsky.social
'Excellent customer service - friendly, knowledgeable and pragmatic. Thank you Advice Service!'

Included in our membership is access to our Advice Service, which supports organisations with a wide range of disability-related queries.

🤝 More on our membership benefits: https://ow.ly/IcrJ50XA7YT
Blind professional smiling while talking on the phone. Business Disability Forum's 'Changing the image of disability' logo is in the bottom right corner of the image.
December 4, 2025 at 11:55 AM
businessdisability.bsky.social
We are experiencing some issues with our website today which we are investigating as a priority. Apologies for any inconvenience caused.
December 3, 2025 at 10:12 AM
businessdisability.bsky.social
How can global organisations keep disability inclusion consistent across regions? This Forbes piece shares 4 essential tips from our recent #GlobalConference2025.

https://ow.ly/zH8B50XAysm

#DisabilitySmartWorld
4 Tips To Keep Disability Inclusion Consistent Across Global Operations
For global businesses, embedding disability-inclusive practices that work across different languages, cultures and geographies is a significant challenge.
ow.ly
December 2, 2025 at 11:09 AM
businessdisability.bsky.social
Looking for #Accessibility training for your teams?

The experts in our Technology Taskforce have pulled together a range of tried-and-tested courses and resources, organised by level of proficiency and job role:

https://ow.ly/TBG250XxA78

#BDFTechTaskforce #A11y
Professional smiling during a meeting with colleagues. In front of her on the desk are documents and highlighters of different colours. Business Disability Forum's 'Changing the image of disability' logo is in the lower right corner of the image.
December 2, 2025 at 9:00 AM
businessdisability.bsky.social
Fortnum & Mason have joined our membership - a very warm welcome!

We look forward to working with you on your disability inclusion journey.

Find out more about becoming a Member: https://ow.ly/xKKF50XyH39

#DisabilitySmart #DisabilityInclusion #Membership
Business Disability Forum Member graphic, with the Fortnum & Mason logo in a circle.
December 1, 2025 at 12:00 PM
businessdisability.bsky.social
New resource: 'How to plan and deliver accessible and #InclusiveEvents'. 📅

This practical step-by-step guide will support you in making events big or small inclusive and welcoming for everyone.

Members and Partners only, with some pages open to all: https://ow.ly/nOYj50XyAwl

#DisabilityInclusion
How to plan accessible and inclusive events graphic: the icon of a calendar with a blue tick next to it, all in a white circle against a blue background.
December 1, 2025 at 10:00 AM
businessdisability.bsky.social
We’re delighted to welcome Paul Wilden to our Board of Trustees. Paul brings his expertise from global financial services and markets. He has run both regional (EMEA and APAC) and global businesses for large blue-chip banks. Paul is also on the Board of several charities.

https://ow.ly/HJNv50Xz6aj
Headshot of Paul Wilden, a white man with short hair and glasses wearing a suit.
November 28, 2025 at 3:36 PM
businessdisability.bsky.social
#DisabilityInclusion: Shaping Accessible Futures, 3 December, 9 am –2 pm.

To celebrate #InternationalDayOfPersonsWithDisabilities, British Council Alumni UK invites you to a free online event on building inclusive education and workplaces.

👉 Find out more: https://ow.ly/Xi0m50Xyf0G

#IDPWD
Designed image for the event, with all the details, the British Council logo and 3 images: a teacher helping a student in a classroom, a speaker using a microphone on stage at an event, and a professional who uses a wheelchair presenting to a group of colleagues.
November 28, 2025 at 12:01 PM
businessdisability.bsky.social
Many customer-facing teams have regular meetings with a Lead. With our Toolbox Talks, part of our 'Think Disability' resources, Team Leads can take this opportunity to easily deliver #DisabilityInclusion sessions.

Available to all (free for Partners, 50% off for Members).
https://ow.ly/OoSM50XtZ9n
2 workers with less-visible disabilities, both in high vis and with one wearing a sunflower lanyard, push a line of trolleys in an airport. Business Disability Forum's 'Changing the image of disability' logo is in the lower right corner of the image.
November 27, 2025 at 12:00 PM
businessdisability.bsky.social
Our CEO Diane Lightfoot responds to the Chancellor’s Budget Statement in this article Make A Difference Media article:

[Image description: Article preview with a photo of a street sign for Downing Street.]

https://ow.ly/ciyO50Xyh8n

#AutumnBudget #DisabilityInclusion #WelfareReform
Autumn budget overlooks prevention, workforce health and disabled talent, say industry leaders - make a difference - workplace culture, mental health, wellbeing
Autumn budget overlooks prevention, workforce health and disabled talent, say industry leaders
ow.ly
November 26, 2025 at 5:04 PM
businessdisability.bsky.social
Entries for the #DisabilitySmartImpactAwards open in 1 week, on 3 December for #IDPWD.

Has your organisation or team made positive, tangible impact on the lives of disabled people? We want to hear from you!

Find out more: https://ow.ly/e7kS50XkeKE
'Winning the Disability Smart Award has had a real impact on our work at Inkfire. It's opened so many new doors to collaborations and helped amplify our message about the value of disabled-led innovation. It's also strengthened our credibility with clients who are keen to build genuinely inclusive brands, showing that accessibility and excellence truly go hand in hand.' - Imali Chislett, Founder, Inkfire, 2025 winner of the Inclusive Workplace Experience Award (small organisation).
November 26, 2025 at 11:10 AM
businessdisability.bsky.social
Technology shouldn't stand in the way of disabled people participating in society.

Read our free resource for guidance on how to reduce and remove barriers in technology for your disabled employees and customers:

https://ow.ly/U4Ej50XhtaO

#BDFTechTaskforce #InclusiveTechnology
Professional of short stature, who has a facial difference, looks at a phone next to a colleague who is wearing a headset. The logo for Business Disability Forum's 'Changing the image of disability' is in the lower right corner of the image.
November 25, 2025 at 1:00 PM
businessdisability.bsky.social
LAST CHANCE to sign up to complete our Global Assessment! The deadline is Friday 28 November.

Our expert tool helps global organisations identify strengths and weaknesses in their approach to #DisabilityInclusion across 10 business areas.

Open to our membership only.

https://ow.ly/IFqB50Xqro0
The 10 key strategic business areas of the Global Assessment represented in small graphics. Leadership: a handshake; recruitment: a magnifying glass over a person; learning and development: a screen; retention: plus signs over 2 people; workplace accommodations: a wrench; customers and service users: a hand holding 2 people; procurement: 2 cogs fitting together; marketing and communication: 2 speech bubbles; built environment: a wheelchair user working at a desk. Technology: a mouse cursor.
November 24, 2025 at 8:45 AM
businessdisability.bsky.social
Our online #GlobalConference is now over! A huge thank you to our kind sponsor HSBC, our brilliant speakers and all the delegates who joined us from across the globe. 🌎⭐

Registered delegates can catch up on or rewatch all of today’s sessions on playback.

#DisabilitySmartWorld #GlobalBusiness
Business Disability Forum Global Conference 2025 image, with the event details on the left and a graphic on the right. The graphic represents planet Earth, and around it are icons of people. 3 people are in the same speech bubble in the foreground. ‘Business Disability Forum Global Conference: Disability inclusion in a complex world. Sponsored by HSBC’ (logo).
November 20, 2025 at 4:03 PM
businessdisability.bsky.social
The last session of the day at our #GlobalConference2025 is a keynote interview on #Accessibility and #AI with Jenny Lay-Flurrie, Chief Accessibility Officer, Vice President, Microsoft and our CEO Diane Lightfoot.

#DisabilitySmartWorld #Keynote
Designed card for the conference session, with the photos of the speakers. ‘Business Disability Forum Global Conference: Disability inclusion in a complex world. Sponsored by HSBC’ (logo).
November 20, 2025 at 3:31 PM
businessdisability.bsky.social
The next 30 minutes at our #GlobalConference2025 are for discussion with fellow delegates.

Click on the ‘Breakout Rooms’ tab on the platform to join any of the conversations on #AI, #MentalHealth, #InclusiveLanguage and more.
Business Disability Forum Global Conference 2025 image, with the event details on the left and a graphic on the right. The graphic represents planet Earth, and around it are icons of people. 3 people are in the same speech bubble in the foreground. ‘Business Disability Forum Global Conference: Disability inclusion in a complex world. Sponsored by HSBC’ (logo).
November 20, 2025 at 2:51 PM
businessdisability.bsky.social
Tune in to the next panel session at our #GlobalConference2025 to hear how global businesses are assessing their #Accessbility activities across markets and using that information to shape their future strategies.

#DisabilitySmartWorld
Designed card for the conference session 'Understanding your global accessibility activities', with photos of the speakers: Christina Jones, Shell plc (USA), Paula Aitkenhead, Schneider Electric (France) and Adrian Ward, Business Disability Forum (UK), Chair. ‘Business Disability Forum Global Conference: Disability inclusion in a complex world. Sponsored by HSBC’ (logo).
November 20, 2025 at 1:51 PM