Accenture: Companies lead in disability inclusion outperform financially

Companies that lead in disability inclusion drive more revenue, net income, and profit, according to a new research report from Accenture in partnership with Disability:IN and the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD).

Accenture research has shown that 76 percent of employees with disabilities do not fully disclose their disabilities at work. Further, the 2023 DEI report found that only 4.6 percent of employees self-identify their disability status with employers.

Companies or Organizations can ensure that disability inclusion remains a fundamental aspect of their overall sustainability and responsible business practices by incorporating ESG principles into their accountability frameworks and publicly sharing outcomes.

Through the research, Accenture and Disability:IN have developed a framework to help business leaders become more intentional about disability inclusion:

1. Access: Organizations must remove barriers and provide equal access to employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities, including recruitment, hiring, and career advancement.
2. Awareness: Leaders must raise awareness about disabilities so organizations can foster a culture of empathy and respect, challenge stereotypes, and promote a more inclusive mindset among employees.
3. Advocacy: Organizations must create an environment for individuals to feel comfortable disclosing their disabilities and forming employee networks and help amplify their voices and ensure their perspectives are heard.
4. Action: By integrating various disability inclusion initiatives under a single umbrella, organizations can ensure that they work in harmony to create a more accessible and equitable workplace.
5. Accountability: Organizations must be able to measure their progress and share what they learn to demonstrate their commitment and dedication to improving disability inclusion.

The research for The Disability Inclusion Imperative report is based on approximately 346 unique respondents of the Disability Equality Index between 2015 and 2022.

In partnership with Disability: IN and the American Association of People with Disabilities, the report has analyzed three measures of financial performance: profitability (revenues and net income), productivity (revenue per employee), and value creation (economic profit) alongside the voice of the employee (Glassdoor reviews) and the voice of the company (10-K filings).