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Business Disability Forum
@businessdisability.bsky.social
270 followers 200 following 280 posts
The leading business membership organisation in disability inclusion.
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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
businessdisability.bsky.social
Welcome back to our #GlobalConference2025.

We begin this afternoon with a panel discussion on accessibility best practice.

How can businesses meet the challenge of developing, implementing and maintaining consistent standards across a global footprint?

#DisabilitySmartWorld #Accessibility
Designed card for the conference session 'Maintaining high accessibility standards globally', with the photos of the speakers: Donna Bungard, Indeed (USA), Marc Powell, Unilever (UK), Surali Siriwardene, HSBC (Hong Kong) and John McCalla-Leacy, KPMG International (UK), Chair. ‘Business Disability Forum Global Conference: Disability inclusion in a complex world. Sponsored by HSBC’ (logo).
November 20, 2025 at 12:53 PM
businessdisability.bsky.social
#GlobalConference2025 delegates, we are taking a lunch break. See you at 12:50 pm GMT!

If you are just joining us, you can catch up on this morning’s sessions by clicking the ‘Session recordings’ tab on the platform.

#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 12:11 PM
businessdisability.bsky.social
Up next at our #GlobalConference is a panel discussion on the European Accessibility Act (EAA), exploring what we now know and how businesses are responding.

#DisabilitySmartWorld #DisabilityInclusion #EuropeanAccessibilityAct #EAA
Designed card for the conference session, with the photos of the speakers in circles: Abi James, Barclays (UK); Christopher Patnoe, Google (UK); Neil Milliken, Atos (UK) and Lucy Ruck, Business Disability Forum (UK), Chair. ‘Business Disability Forum Global Conference: Disability inclusion in a complex world. Sponsored by HSBC’ (logo).
November 20, 2025 at 11:22 AM
businessdisability.bsky.social
The first session of the day at our #GlobalConference2025 sets the scene on the challenge businesses face in the current complex global landscape – including global variations in regulation and a corrosive anti-inclusion narrative.

#DisabilitySmartWorld #DisabilityInclusion
Designed card for the conference session 'Getting serious about inclusion in a complex world', with the photos of the speakers: Amy Whalley, Australian Disability Network (Australia), Jürgen Menze, International Labour Organization (Switzerland), Wolfgang Kowatsch, myAbility Social Enterprise GmbH (Austria) and Diane Lightfoot, Business Disability Forum (UK), Chair.‘Business Disability Forum Global conference: Disability inclusion in a complex world. Sponsored by HSBC’ (logo).
November 20, 2025 at 10:20 AM
businessdisability.bsky.social
Welcome to the delegates of our online #GlobalConference2025, ‘Disability inclusion in a complex world’.

We begin with a word of welcome from our CEO, Diane Lightfoot, followed by an address from Carolanne Minashi, Global Head of Inclusion with our generous sponsor HSBC.

#DisabilitySmartWorld
Business Disability Forum Global Conference 2025 branded card for the session, with photos of Diane and Carolanne.
November 20, 2025 at 10:01 AM
businessdisability.bsky.social
Today is the day! Our online #GlobalConference2025, ‘Disability inclusion in a complex world’, begins in 30 minutes. 🌏

The sessions will be available for playback immediately after the live broadcasts for registered delegates.

Thank you to our kind sponsor HSBC.

#DisabilitySmartWorld
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. In the foreground is a big speech bubble with 3 people in it.
November 20, 2025 at 9:30 AM
businessdisability.bsky.social
Could you be the host of the prestigious #DisabilitySmartImpactAwards in 2026?

If you have an accessible space that could house 150 guests in theatre style in April, we want to hear from you.

Please email [email protected]

More on hosting our events: https://ow.ly/4gtf50XtC09
'Working with BDF on organising their awards ceremony was enjoyable, insightful and an amazing learning opportunity for myself and the wider logistics team at Bloomberg. The BDF team are so knowledgeable and it was a pleasure to host such an important event.'  - Marianne Antoine, Senior Events Manager, Bloomberg (host in 2024).
November 19, 2025 at 1:01 PM
businessdisability.bsky.social
Have you seen the categories for his year's #DisabilitySmartImpactAwards? There are 14 to choose from.

If you're thinking of entering, get ready: entries open on 3 December for #IDPWD.

Find out more about the categories and entry criteria: https://ow.ly/Afv250XjeNv
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.
November 19, 2025 at 10:50 AM
businessdisability.bsky.social
You want to embed #Accessibility into your #Procurement practices. Where do you start?

Our Technology Taskforce has created free guidance on what the process should include, such as an executive declaration and questions for suppliers: https://ow.ly/7TzG50XhsP0

#BDFTechTaskforce
Professional adjusting her chair in an office. The logo for Business Disability Forum's 'Changing the image of disability' is in the lower right corner of the image.
November 18, 2025 at 12:25 PM
businessdisability.bsky.social
We're thrilled that Jenny Lay-Flurrie, Chief Accessibility Officer, Vice President, Microsoft, will be the keynote speaker at our online #GlobalConference on Thursday.

Have you registered? £200 + VAT, free for our membership. Sponsored by HSBC.

https://ow.ly/ErMb50XqCLh

#DisabilitySmartWorld
Business Disability Forum Global Conference 2025, 'Disability inclusion in a complex world'. Branded card for the keynote session. Photos of Jenny Lay-Flurrie and Diane Lightfoot, Business Disability Forum (interviewer).
November 17, 2025 at 5:25 PM
businessdisability.bsky.social
FREE webinar on designing and delivering #InclusiveEvents on 1 December 🎤

Join us to find out how to make your events barrier-free for attendees with disabilities or long-term conditions.

Book your place (free and open to all): ow.ly/7VxL50X8y4a

#Accessibility #DisabilityInclusion
Delegate with a sight impairment, who wears glasses, talks to another guest amongst the crowd at an event.
November 13, 2025 at 5:40 PM
businessdisability.bsky.social
1 week to go before our online #GlobalConference 'Disability inclusion in a complex world', sponsored by HSBC. Have you registered?

Free for Members and Partners, £200 + VAT for non-members.

Register: https://ow.ly/7LLL50XgZcg

#DisabilitySmartWorld
Business Disability Forum's Global Conference graphic: a globe surrounded by icons of people. The 4 icons in the background represent individual people, and the one in the foreground, highlighted in a speech bubble, represents a group of 3 people. On the left of the image are the event details. #DisabilitySmartWorld.
November 13, 2025 at 9:00 AM
businessdisability.bsky.social
Our Global Assessment is a fantastic opportunity to assess and improve your disability inclusion performance. It shows how disability-smart your organisation is globally, at both a Headquarters and country level.

Don't miss out, sign up to complete it before 28 November! https://ow.ly/iBpF50Xqqbn
Business Disability Forum's Global Assessment graphic: a clipboard with a magnifying glass over it and a globe at the top, all in a white circle against a purple background.
November 12, 2025 at 1:01 PM
businessdisability.bsky.social
'[The training] will improve any relationship with disabled employees to make a better workplace.'

Our clients love our training in disability-smart management practices. Do you want your managers to lead supportive conversations with disabled stakeholders? Find out more: https://ow.ly/FN7T50XpSlZ
Smiling man with glasses standing in front of a screen that reads 'Disability-smart management', with the Business Disability Forum logo.
November 11, 2025 at 4:25 PM
businessdisability.bsky.social
Gathering #CustomerFeedback is crucial to ensuring the #Accessibility of your digital products and services.

Find out more in our free resource on how to consult with customers. It's free and open to all.

https://ow.ly/cMMo50Xhsuj

#BDFTechTaskforce
3 professionals with less-visible disabilities talk around a table in an open-plan office. The logo for Business Disability Forum's 'Changing the image of disability' is in the lower right corner of the image.
November 11, 2025 at 1:00 PM
businessdisability.bsky.social
For people with communications difficulties, the Communication Access Symbol in a shop window makes a world of difference.

Complete the FREE Communications Access UK training and commit to the standards today:

https://communication-access.co.uk/

#InclusiveCommunication #DisabilityInclusion
A shop window with several signs displayed in it, including the Communication Access symbol: an icon of 2 people facing each other against a blue background, with arrows around them indicating communication. The text on the sign reads 'This organisation is Communication Accessible'.
November 10, 2025 at 12:35 PM