Pilot Benchmarking Reflects the Increasingly Global Nature of Work and Culture

40 motivated companies from 30 countries were part of this year’s pilot Global Disability Equality Index (GDEI). Most of the companies are multinationals, including 15 that are headquartered outside of the U.S. The GDEI establishes a baseline for inclusion that can be adapted to differing cultural contexts.

Top Global Disability Equality Index Findings

Satellite locations need the leeway to implement company-wide policies and procedures in a way that makes sense for their culture.

Companies need an assessment tool to help them determine if their satellite locations are meeting their own, as well as industry standards, for inclusion. The GDEI provides that baseline assessment while leaving plenty of room for country-specific interpretation.

More CEOS are interested in signing the CEO letter and making a public commitment to disability inclusion.

Worldwide labor shortages have companies rethinking talent acquisition and looking for a new pool of candidates for unfilled positions. There’s increased demand for a global benchmarking tool to catalyze action around disability inclusion and enable companies to stay competitive. With their public commitments, CEOs are signaling a willingness to be held accountable for lasting, inclusive change.

Satellite locations need in-country, local leaders who have lived experience with disability and/or are strong allies for the disability community.

Strong in-country leaders are a better indicator of inclusion success than whether the satellite location is in a resource-rich country. Leaders who have lived experience with disability are able to point out gaps in company policies and seek out opportunities for positive change.

Support from the C-suite + an active ERG + an in-country leader who is an ally are the best indicators for success.

Collaboration between C-suite executives and a group of people who have lived experience with disability is a function of equity and a key factor in sustaining major gains for disability inclusion.