How Corporations Can Start Disability-Led Social Procurement Today
This article is part of our ‘ESG Insights: Driving Impact through Inclusion’ series, which was originally published on our LinkedIn on October 21, 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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As corporations deepen their commitment to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles, disability-led social procurement is gaining momentum as a powerful strategy to integrate social value into core business operations. By sourcing goods and services from enterprises led by persons with disabilities (PWD), companies can promote inclusion, drive innovation, and generate tangible social impact, all while enhancing their ESG credentials.
This article provides a practical roadmap for corporations to begin disability-led social procurement immediately. It addresses common barriers, debunks myths, and offers useful checklists and resources to enable companies to move confidently from intention to impact.
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Why Disability-Led Social Procurement Matters
Procurement is a critical lever for systemic change. Disability-led social enterprises uniquely combine lived experience with specialised expertise to create accessible, innovative products and services. Partnering with these businesses helps corporations:
Meet and exceed ESG and social value targets
Access new markets and diverse talent pools
Enhance brand reputation and stakeholder trust
Foster economic inclusion and community development
Understanding its transformational potential motivates companies to embed disability-led procurement as a strategic priority.
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Practical Roadmap to Start Disability-Led Social Procurement
Beginning a disability-led social procurement journey involves clear steps designed to integrate inclusion sustainably into purchasing processes.
1. Build Internal Awareness and Buy-In
Educate leadership and key stakeholders on the value and impact of disability-led procurement through research, case studies, and testimonials.
Align with existing ESG, diversity, and procurement policies to identify synergies and gaps.
Establish an internal champion or cross-functional team, including procurement, DEI, and sustainability leads, to steer the initiative.
2. Map Procurement Opportunities
Review categories of spend to identify feasible areas for social procurement (e.g. office supplies, catering, cleaning, marketing, digital services).
Seek categories where disability-led enterprises already offer high-quality solutions to reduce risk and ease integration.
Use spend analytics and supplier data to baseline current inclusion and identify target areas.
3. Identify and Vet Disability-Led Suppliers
Utilise directories and platforms like Social Enterprise UK’s Buy Social Directory, Disability:IN Supplier Diversity Program (U.S.), SE Directory (Hong Kong, China) or local social enterprise networks to find verified disability-led businesses.
Engage with certification bodies such as B Corp, Social Value UK or SEE Mark (Hong Kong, China) for verified social enterprises.
Conduct collaborative supplier vetting focusing on quality, capacity, and impact alignment rather than charity assumptions.
4. Incorporate Social Value into Procurement Policies
Update procurement guidelines to include social value criteria and supplier diversity requirements, emphasising disability-led enterprises.
Consider setting spend targets or quotas to institutionalise inclusion.
Train procurement teams on disability inclusion and the skills needed to evaluate social value offers fairly.
“If evaluated as standalone questions, typically the maximum weighting afforded to social value objectives is in the region of 10%.”
5. Pilot and Scale
Start with pilot projects in selected procurement categories to build experience and showcase impact.
Collect feedback from internal stakeholders and disability-led enterprises to refine processes.
Use pilot learnings to expand social procurement scope and embed it as standard practice.
6. Measure and Communicate Impact
Define Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) such as percentage spend with disability-led suppliers, job creation for PWD, and supplier retention rates.
Use recognised impact measurement frameworks like Social Return on Investment (SROI) or the B Impact Assessment.
Share impact stories internally and externally to inspire further engagement and transparency.
“A study from the Conference Board of Canada reported that businesses that develop supply chain inclusion programs often see a higher ROI from their procurement, as well as less risks to their supply chain and decreased operating expenses.”
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Overcoming Common Barriers
Corporations often face perceived challenges when starting disability-led social procurement. Understanding and addressing these myths eases adoption.
Myth 1: Disability-Led Suppliers Are Costly or Low Quality
Fact: Disability-led social enterprises operate as competitive businesses, often exceeding market quality standards, motivated by social as well as financial success. Studies show that inclusive supply chains innovate and deliver good value over time. Engaging early and building relationships helps tailor solutions and expectations.
“Ultimately, a diverse and inclusive supply chain not only creates social and economic benefits but also enhances business performance, innovation, and reputation.”
Myth 2: Finding Disability-Led Suppliers Is Too Difficult
Fact: Numerous dedicated directories, certification bodies, and intermediary organisations simplify sourcing. Platforms like Buy Social, Disability:IN, and national social enterprise networks provide vetted supplier lists with searchable categories.
Myth 3: Social Procurement Is Too Complex or Time-Consuming
Fact: While there is a learning curve, integrating social value need not overhaul procurement. Aligning with existing supplier diversity or sustainability programs streamlines processes. Pilots allow gradual scaling and adaptation.
“Between 2021 and 2023, public sector bidders who excelled in social value aspects won contracts 56% of the time, compared to just 28% for those that did not prioritise social value.”
Myth 4: Compliance or Policy Barriers
Fact: Disability inclusion increasingly aligns with corporate governance and public sector regulations. Proactive policy updates can eliminate barriers. Many governments offer guidance and incentives for inclusive procurement.
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Disability-Led Social Procurement: Checklist for Companies
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Useful Resources and Platforms to Get Started
Buy Social Directory (U.K.): A comprehensive marketplace of verified social enterprises, including many disability-led businesses.
Disability:IN Supplier Diversity Program (U.S.A.): Supports corporations in identifying and engaging disability-owned businesses with resources and certification.
SE Directory (Hong Kong, China): An online platform listing over 500 social enterprises in Hong Kong to promote meaningful consumption and sustainable social development.
The Social Enterprise Endorsement Mark (Hong Kong, China): Hong Kong's first accreditation scheme that certifies social enterprises to enhance public trust and recognition of their value and social impact.
Social Value UK (U.K.): Accreditation and measurement tools for social value procurement in the UK.
B Lab and B Impact Assessment: Certification and impact measurement for social enterprises and corporations integrating social value.
United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD): Global framework for inclusion policies and practices.
Government Social Procurement Frameworks: Check your country’s procurement policies for inclusion mandates and incentives.
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Conclusion
Disability-led social procurement offers corporations a powerful pathway to embed authentic inclusion and social impact into their core business, unlocking innovation, market expansion, and stronger ESG performance. Starting this journey requires commitment, collaboration, and strategic action—but practical tools, case studies, and resources abound to support companies today.
By following this roadmap, overcoming misconceptions, and leveraging available platforms, corporations can begin sourcing from disability-led enterprises effectively and sustainably. The result is a win-win: driving social inclusion while advancing corporate resilience and growth.
Ready to start? Leverage these steps, tap into trusted networks, and make disability-led social procurement a priority today for a more inclusive tomorrow.
Sources:
Bird & Bird's Insights, "Embedding Social Value in Procurements". https://www.twobirds.com/en/insights/2022/uk/embedding-social-value-in-procurements
Lumorus, "The Business Case For Supply Chain Inclusion: Driving Growth And Innovation". https://www.lumorus.com/the-business-case-for-supply-chain-inclusion-driving-growth-and-innovation/
ShooSmiths' Insights, "Equity, diversity and inclusion in supply chains – private sector and third sector". https://www.shoosmiths.com/insights/articles/equity-diversity-and-inclusion-in-supply-chains-private-sector-and-third-sector
Veriforce CHAS's blog, "The Veriforce CHAS Guide To Social Value In Compliance And Procurement", Feb 19, 2025. https://www.chas.co.uk/blog/guide-to-social-value-in-compliance-and-procurement/
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Design Studio MZ+MM makes Social Procurement sensible.
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.
