The Future of ESG: Disability Inclusion at the Core of Corporate Strategy
This article is part of our ‘ESG Insights: Driving Impact through Inclusion’ series, which was originally published on our LinkedIn on October 8, 2025. To get immediate access to future articles in our exclusive content on ESG and inclusion, be sure to Follow us on LinkedIn.
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In the evolving landscape of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) priorities, disability inclusion is emerging as a critical driver not only of social responsibility but also of competitive advantage and innovation. As corporations face increasing pressures from stakeholders, regulators, and markets, the inclusion of persons with disabilities (PWD) and social procurement from disability-led enterprises are becoming central to future-proofing corporate strategies.
This article explores how digital platforms, government incentives, and shifting ESG expectations are propelling disability inclusion to the heart of corporate agendas. It evaluates key policy and market trends, emphasising social procurement, and forecasts burgeoning opportunities for disability-led social enterprises in local and global supply chains.
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Disability Inclusion and Social Procurement: Rising ESG Expectations
ESG frameworks have catalysed a profound shift in corporate social responsibility worldwide, moving companies beyond philanthropy toward embedding social value creation into their core operations. Disability inclusion has emerged as a vital component of the social (S) pillar of ESG, driving concerted efforts toward equitable employment and accessible, socially responsible procurement practices.
This evolution is shaped by several powerful forces:
Tightening Regulatory Landscapes
Governments are increasingly mandating disability inclusion through laws and procurement policies aligned with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). Examples include the US Section 503 requirement for affirmative action in federal contracts, the UK Social Value Act, and Australia’s Social Procurement Framework— all of which explicitly encourage corporate spending with disability-led enterprises.
“The new Social Value Model is no longer all about quantity. It seeks to also understand the quality of the impact organisations are making in their communities.”
Investor and Stakeholder Demands
In today’s ESG landscape, disability inclusion has become a key criterion for investors and stakeholders assessing corporate responsibility and long-term viability. ESG ratings agencies such as MSCI, Sustainalytics, and Refinitiv have begun incorporating disability inclusion indicators into their evaluation frameworks. This includes assessing workforce diversity, accessibility policies, and social procurement spending with disability-led enterprises.
Institutional investors are increasingly vocal about their expectations. For example, BlackRock has emphasized that "diversity and inclusion are relevant for all companies – not just those in financial services," [1] explicitly calling for enhanced disability inclusion in corporate disclosures. Similarly, State Street Global Advisors has stated, “we provide thought leadership on crucial sustainability topics, including inclusion and diversity, which can guide other investors in their own approaches to disability inclusion.” [2]
Consumer advocacy groups also influence corporate behaviour by spotlighting companies that genuinely advance disability inclusion. The Disability Equality Index (DEI), co-developed by the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), provides a comprehensive benchmarking tool for corporate disability inclusion. Being ranked highly on DEI can positively impact brand reputation and attract socially conscious consumers. For instance, AT&T credited its leadership on the DEI with strengthening customer loyalty and employee engagement.
This scrutiny compels companies to go beyond compliance, demonstrating authentic, measurable progress in disability inclusion and social procurement. Investment decisions increasingly hinge on transparent social impact reporting, making disability inclusion a material business factor.
Corporate Culture Shifts
Within organisations, disability inclusion is increasingly recognised as a critical element of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) strategies. Leading companies have embedded inclusive hiring policies, accessible workplaces, and disability awareness training into their culture.
Microsoft, for instance, launched the Disability Answer Desk and runs extensive disability hiring programs, providing tailored onboarding and career development. Satya Nadella, Microsoft’s CEO, has remarked, “inclusion drives innovation.” [3] This ethos permeates their culture, fostering innovation and employee belonging.
Procurement functions mirror these shifts by actively seeking out disability-led suppliers as part of a commitment to supplier diversity. Visa Inc., for example, targets increasing spend with businesses owned or led by persons with disabilities, recognising that “deepening our partnerships with suppliers to meet or exceed social and environmental standards, drive innovation and efficiency, as well as create lasting, positive impact.” [4]
“The employers network for equality & inclusion (enei) in the UK recently held its annual award ceremony celebrating the successes of companies and organizations over the past year. WEConnect International member IBM received the award for Inclusive Procurement. Additionally, corporate members EY and Sodexo received awards for Advancing Social Mobility in the Workplace and for Global Diversity, respectively.”
DEI-Award-winning companies like IBM and EY integrate supplier diversity metrics with broader DEI goals, providing data dashboards that track progress and support decision-making. Internal communication channels share success stories about disability inclusion, reinforcing a culture that values diverse contributions and drives engagement.
“IBM thinks about diversity the way we think about innovation — both are essential to the success of our business. When we innovate, technology becomes smarter for clients and creates new opportunities for growth. When we incorporate diversity into our business, we create better innovations and outcomes. IBM has embraced diversity, and it gives opportunities for IBMers and our clients to achieve their full potential.”
By sharing success stories internally and externally, companies reinforce a culture that values disability inclusion. This storytelling galvanises employees to become advocates for inclusive hiring and social procurement, fostering a virtuous cycle where culture and supply chain inclusion mutually reinforce one another.
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The Role of Digital Platforms in Driving Inclusion
Digital technology platforms are vital tools accelerating disability inclusion and social procurement at scale.
Inclusive Hiring Platforms: Solutions like Evenbreak connect disabled talent with employers actively recruiting for equitable opportunities, streamlining the hiring process and helping corporations meet inclusion targets.
Supplier Directories and Marketplaces: Platforms such as Social Enterprise UK’s Buy Social Directory, Hong Kong's SE Directory, or the U.S. AbilityOne program make it easier for companies to identify and engage disability-led businesses as suppliers, facilitating social procurement pathways.
Impact Management Tools: Digital tools like Social Value Portal or B Lab’s B Impact Assessment provide standardised, transparent impact measurement frameworks that bridge corporations and social enterprises, enhancing accountability and data-driven decision-making.
Accessibility Tech: Enabling technologies such as AI-driven captioning, screen readers, and accessible digital design tools empower inclusive workplaces and products, raising corporate inclusion standards.
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Government Incentives that Boost Disability Inclusion in ESG
Governments play an essential stewardship role in catalysing disability inclusion through legislative and fiscal tools:
Procurement Quotas and Social Clauses: Governments mandate minimum quotas for contracting with disability-led enterprises and require social value commitments in public tenders. Such measures create stable market demand and encourage corporate participation.
Tax Incentives and Grants: Financial incentives lower the costs of workplace accommodations and incentivise corporate partnerships with social enterprises. Programs supporting innovation in assistive technology further drive inclusion.
Reporting Mandates: Some jurisdictions require comprehensive disclosure of disability employment and procurement metrics in ESG reports, raising the bar for transparency and alignment.
Public-Private Partnerships: Collaborative initiatives between governments, NGOs, and businesses foster ecosystem building, knowledge sharing, and capacity development within disability inclusion and social enterprise sectors.
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Market Drivers Accelerating Disability Inclusion and Social Procurement
Several trends and dynamics underscore the market’s growing embrace of disability inclusion as a strategic imperative:
Changing Demographics: Studies showed that, between 2015 and 2050, the proportion of the world's population over 60 years will nearly double from 12% to 22%. [5] Ageing populations increase the prevalence of disabilities, expanding the consumer base demanding accessible products and services.
Innovation Imperative: Inclusive design, or universal design, helps to build a more sustainable and equitable future for all, regardless of age, ability, or background. From a business perspective, it rooted in disability experience, often leads to superior innovations, benefiting all users and creating competitive differentiation.
Consumer Expectations: Modern customers demand authentic corporate commitment to diversity and inclusion, often favouring brands that visibly include and serve PWD.
Talent Wars: "74% of employers say they are struggling to find the skilled talent they need." [6] Companies recognise the vast untapped potential in recruiting and retaining disabled talent, critical amid skills shortages in many industries.
Risk Mitigation: Inclusion reduces legal and reputational risks, aligning with evolving regulatory environments globally.
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The Future of Social Enterprises in Disability-Led Social Procurement
Increasingly embedded in corporate supply chains, disability-led social enterprises are poised to seize emerging opportunities:
Local Impact and Global Reach: While local procurement policies drive baseline demand, multinational companies expanding global ESG strategies create openings for disability-led enterprises to scale internationally.
Innovation and Co-Creation: Disability-led social enterprises will continue to lead in accessible product design, assistive technologies, and inclusive services, partnering with corporations seeking innovation grounded in lived expertise.
Cross-Sector Collaboration: Combining forces with tech companies, design studios, healthcare, retail, and finance, disability-led enterprises will diversify their market presence, deepening impact and visibility.
Investment and Capacity Building: An expanding ecosystem of impact investors, social finance intermediaries, and government programs will support enterprise growth and resilience, enabling scaling of social and business outcomes.
Data-Driven Impact Management: Enhanced use of digital impact tools will facilitate better performance tracking, adaptive strategy, and strong ROI narratives, making social procurement increasingly integral to corporate procurement governance.
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Conclusions and Strategic Recommendations
Disability inclusion at the core of ESG is not only the right thing to do; it is the smart business strategy for the future. Corporations that embrace this shift will benefit from innovation, reputation, market expansion, and resilient workforce models.
To capitalise on this future, companies should:
Integrate disability inclusion deeply into ESG and procurement policies;
Leverage digital platforms for inclusive hiring, supplier discovery, and impact measurement;
Engage proactively with government incentive programs and public-private partnerships;
Build long-term relationships with disability-led social enterprises focused on innovation and quality; and
Prioritise transparent and standardised impact measurement to demonstrate social and financial value.
Social enterprises led by persons with disabilities stand at the forefront of this transformation. With continued support, investment, and partnership, their role in delivering impactful, sustainable, and inclusive value chains will only grow — locally and globally.
The future of ESG depends on making disability inclusion a central, strategic priority, unlocking shared prosperity and innovation for all
Sources:
"Diversity and inclusion in the financial sector – working together to drive change", BlackRock, 30th September 2021. https://www.blackrock.com/corporate/literature/publication/fca-discussion-paper-on-diversity-and-inclusion-in-the-financial-sector-093021.pdf
State Street Global Advisors on sustainability. https://www.statestreet.com/ca/en/about/sustainability.
"The moment that forever changed our lives", Microsoft accessibility blog, 21st October, 2017. https://blogs.microsoft.com/accessibility/satya-nadella-the-moment-that-forever-changed-our-lives/
Visa Inc. on supplier diversity. https://corporate.visa.com/en/about-visa/crs/operating-responsibly.html
"Ageing and health", World Health Organization, 1st October 2024. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/ageing-and-health
"2025 Global Talent Shortage", Manpower Group. https://go.manpowergroup.com/talent-shortage
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Design Studio MZ+MM makes Social Procurement conveyable.
Design Studio MZ+MM is a social enterprise (SEE Mark No. SEE 0114) based in Hong Kong, providing various types of graphic design services. Currently, the team is composed of hearing-impaired and hearing designers who practice disability inclusion, which is the primary reason for promoting "diversity, equity and inclusion" in corporate organizations. We support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals SDGs: 10 “Reduced Inequalities” and 17 “Promote Partnerships for the Goals”.
In addition to providing job opportunities for diverse talents, this social enterprise also helps corporate clients implement advanced governance concepts. We also firmly believe that Design Studio MZ+MM is still the only social procurement solution practitioner and provider in Hong Kong, providing professional design services in the true sense of social procurement and adding multiple levels of added social value. To learn more about the vision and mission of this social enterprise, please click this link to jump to the Social Impact page.
