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Business Disability Forum
@businessdisability.bsky.social
270 followers 200 following 270 posts
The leading business membership organisation in disability inclusion.
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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 adrianw@businessdisabilityforum.org.uk

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
businessdisability.bsky.social
Businesses will share how they are maintaining high #Accessibility standards globally at our online Global Conference on 20 November.

£200 + VAT, free for our Members and Partners. Sponsored by HSBC: https://ow.ly/F9AY50XlJfk

#DisabilitySmartWorld
Business Disability Forum Global Conference 2025, 'Disability inclusion in a complex world'. Branded card for the session 'Maintaining high accessibility standards globally'. Photos of the speakers in circles, with their names and organisations: Donna Bungard, Indeed (USA), Marc Powell, Unilever (UK), Surali Siriwardene, HSBC (Hong Kong), John McCalla-Leacy, KPMG International (UK), Chair.
November 8, 2025 at 11:00 AM
businessdisability.bsky.social
On 5 November, Sir Charlie Mayfield published the #KeepBritainWorkingReview. Read the response from our CEO, Diane Lightfoot:
https://ow.ly/bVy350XofLZ

#AccessToWork #DisabledEmployees #DisabilityInclusion
Person with a facial difference talking to a colleague who's working on a computer. Business Disability Forum's 'Changing the image of disability' logo is in the lower right corner of the image.
November 7, 2025 at 10:07 AM
businessdisability.bsky.social
Did you know we have a range of resources about disability and business that's open to all and completely free?

Access our Disability Essentials collection today to find out about workplace adjustments, legal requirements and much more.

https://ow.ly/GMV550Xkfiq

#DisabilityInclusion
Person with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, who uses a wheelchair, looks at a museum display with a friend who has less-visible disabilities. Her friend is pointing at something above them. In the lower right corner of the image is the logo for Business Disability Forum's 'Changing the image of disability'.
November 6, 2025 at 11:25 AM
businessdisability.bsky.social
Could you go on a journey without a starting point or destination? Of course not, and the same goes for your #Accessibility journey.

Use our Accessibility Maturity Model (AMM) to figure out where you are and where you should go.

Free and open to all: https://ow.ly/M6Kq50XhqS7

#BDFTechTaskforce
Person with early onset Parkinson's disease, who wears a sunflower lanyard, working on a laptop outdoors. Business Disability Forum's 'Changing the image of disability' logo is in the lower right corner of the image.
November 4, 2025 at 1:00 PM
businessdisability.bsky.social
Join our online #GlobalConference on 20 November to discover how the #EuropeanAccessibilityAct is reshaping business obligations across the EU. Get practical steps to stay ahead.

£200 + VAT, free for our Members and Partners. Sponsored by HSBC.

ow.ly/X1ow50XaWFK

#DisabilitySmartWorld
Business Disability Forum Global Conference 2025, 'Disability inclusion in a complex world'. Branded card for the session 'The European Accessibility Act (EAA) – what we now know and how businesses are responding'. Photos of the speakers in circles, with their names and organisations: Abi James, Barclays (UK), Christopher Patnoe, Google (UK), Neil Milliken, Atos (UK), Lucy Ruck, Business Disability Forum (UK), Chair.
November 4, 2025 at 10:20 AM
businessdisability.bsky.social
Mark your calendars: the #DisabilitySmartImpactAwards 2026 open for entries on 3 December.

We’ve added the word ‘impact’ because this is what the awards are all about: organisations making a real impact on the lives of disabled people.

More information coming soon.

https://ow.ly/6QQ950XmjoC
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 4, 2025 at 9:35 AM
businessdisability.bsky.social
Looking to get buy-in to sign up to our #GlobalAssessment (sponsored by Shell and Schneider Electric)? Key points to highlight:

Improving disability inclusion.
Legal and regulatory compliance.
Reputation and brand.

More information for your business case: https://ow.ly/WLhv50XeZyA
Professional with limb loss, who wears a prosthetic leg, in a meeting with a colleague who has a mental health condition. They sit on either side of a desk. Business Disability Forum's 'Changing the image of disability' logo is on the lower right side of the image.
October 29, 2025 at 1:00 PM
businessdisability.bsky.social
Adjustments that work for students often differ from what you need in the workplace.

Listen to Morgan's experience of transitioning to the workplace with our Partner PwC in this episode of our podcast 'If you don’t mind me asking'.

www.youtube.com/watc...

#BDFTechTaskforce #WorkplaceAdjustments
If you don't mind me asking... with Morgan McArthur and Graeme Crook
In the last episode of the series, we're talking workplace adjustments (accommodations). We're joined by PwC graduate apprentice Morgan McArthur and Graeme Crook, from PwC's IT and digital accessibility team. Morgan tells us about the impact of her multiple disabilities including dyslexia and a rece
www.youtube.com
October 28, 2025 at 11:03 AM