The Disability Index Explained: Key Questions Companies Ask

As disability inclusion becomes increasingly connected to workforce strategy, innovation, and market reach, and business performance, companies are looking for meaningful ways to measure progress

The Disability Index is the leading global benchmarking tool designed to help businesses do exactly that. Below, we answer the questions most commonly asked by participating companies. Whether you’re learning about the Index for the first time or considering participation this year- this guide will help ensure that you’re equipped with the information needed to get started.

What is the Disability Index?

The Disability Index is the most trusted third-party benchmark for global disability inclusion in business. The Index provides companies with a confidential, objective, and data-driven way to measure their disability inclusion efforts, benchmark progress, and identify opportunities for improvement.

The Index provides companies with an objective way to understand their current state and identify where to focus next.

Who is the Index Designed For?

The Index is built for companies at any stage of their disability inclusion journey.

Organizations participate to:

• Establish a baseline
• Strengthen existing programs
• Scale disability inclusion globally
• Align disability inclusion with broader business priorities
• Drive continuous progress year-over-year

Companies across all industries and regions use the Index as a strategic planning and benchmarking tool. Participation is open to all non-governmental businesses or organizations with independent governance and more than 500 employees are eligible to participate.

What does participation involve?

The Disability Index is designed to be a cross-functional benchmark forassessing efforts and informing change across the enterprise. Companies are asked to provide responses to 76 questions that evaluate policies, practices, and outcomes across key areas such as leadership, accessibility, recruitment, benefits, supply chain, accommodations, and marketing and communications.

Most companies collaborate across teams such as HR, accessibility, procurement, legal, communications, and employee resource groups. The Index can be completed over time, and progress can be saved and revisited as needed.

Participants will have the option to pre-populate responses in future years, making ongoing participation more efficient.

How long does it take to complete?

Completion time varies depending on company size, structure, and internal coordination. The self-service platform makes completion seamless from start to submission. Many organizations use the Index as an opportunity to align teams and surface insights that may not otherwise be captured in one place.

How much does registration cost?

Registration for the Disability Index is completely free of charge for eligible companies. There are no registration fees and no geographic restrictions. The Index is available worldwide to any company that fulfills the eligibility requirements.

What reports or insights do companies receive upon completion?

Every participant receives a complimentary single-page Universal Report with their score and corresponding proficiency level. Companies seeking deeper insights may upgrade to a Premiere Insights report at an additional cost of $2,500 per submission. Learn more about reporting options and see sample reports here.

Partners of Disability:IN receive one complimentary Premiere Insights Report at no cost. Additional country-level Premiere Insights Reports may be purchased for $2,500 each.

How does scoring work?

The Disability Index includes 76 scored yes/no questions across nine focus areas, each worth one point. A small number of unscored questions are included for data collection purposes; no points are awarded or deducted for these questions.

Upon submission, companies receive a raw score and are placed into a proficiency level that reflects their current level of disability inclusion maturity.

There's an option to participate at the Enterprise or Country level- how do I choose which one is right for my company?

Choosing the participation level that is right for your company depends on how your organization's disability inclusion programs and policies are structured:

• Choose Enterprise-wide if your company’s disability inclusion policies and programs are consistent across the organization and you want a single, global benchmark. A policy, program, or process counts as Enterprise-wide if it is active in countries that collectively represent at least 50% of your company’s eligible workforce (locations with 500 or more employees).
• Choose Country-level if practices vary by location. Each country submission must represent at least 500 employees and is scored separately.  

Is there a benefit to participating year-over-year?

The Disability Index is most powerful when used as a longitudinal tool.

Annual participation enables companies to:

• Track progress over time
• Identify areas of improvement or regression
• Use data to drive continuous, strategic change

Rather than a one-time assessment, the Index becomes a roadmap for sustained business impact.

What support is available to participants?

Participants can chat with Oli, our Chat with us!concierge support agent, for 24/7 support through the Disability:IN website.

Disability:IN offers live virtual office hours to support participants at each stage. Participants or interested companies can visit our open Office Hours to chat with our team, ask questions, and get tailored support. Find a time that works for you here.

How do companies get started?

Companies can register and access the Disability Index through the site. Support is available throughout the process, including live office hours and direct assistance from the Disability:IN team.

Learn more and get started here.

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