On The Verge: Disability and Sustainability Reporting

On the Verge is the first in a series of three analyses on the state of global reporting on disability in leading businesses’ sustainability reports. The first report finds that 65% of the U.S. Fortune 500 are currently reporting on disability, though the nature of reporting is uneven, nominal, and varied.

Ten (10%) of the Fortune 500 are disclosing self-identified workforce participation statistics as part of their voluntary human capital disclosures.

The fact that 65% of the Fortune 500 have deemed disability a material consideration for stakeholders means that disability is on the verge of widespread adoption as market pressures and regulatory modernization drive disability into public workforce disclosures.‍

FAQs 

What is the “On the Verge”series?

The On the Verge series is a three-part series that examines how companies in the U.S., Europe, and Global Fortune 500 are integrating disability into sustainability reporting. This series analysis each sustainability report and provides insight on how disability inclusion is emerging as a critical component of corporate reporting and business strategy. This report is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, regulatory, or business advice. The analysis is based on publicly available information and research methodologies described herein.

What does each report in the series cover?

Each report builds on a shared research framework while focusing on a different scope:

• ‍On the Verge (2023): Establishes a baseline view of how companies are reporting on disability within U.S Fortune 500 sustainability reporting.‍
• On the Verge: Europe (2024): Examines regional disability-related data trends as the European Union faces increasing regulatory and market pressure under the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). ‍
• On the Verge: Global (2025): Expands the analysis to a global set of leading companies, tracking progress and identifying emerging patterns.

Together, the three reports provide a global view of disability disclosure and reporting practices.

Why is disability inclusion important in sustainability reporting?

The series highlights that disability inclusion is increasingly associated with business performance, risk management, and long-term value creation. Companies that report on disability maybe better positioned to capture the broader business benefits associated with inclusion, including potential for stronger workforce outcomes and improved financial performance.

Please note that outcomes will vary across organizations, and implementation of these practices does not guarantee specific business or financial results.

How was the research conducted across the series?

The reports are based on an analysis of publicly available corporate disclosures, including sustainability, ESG, and annual reports.

This methodology allowed our research team to:

• Track how companies report on disability overtime
• Compare disclosure practices across regions and industries
• Identify trends in reporting and performance

What types of disability-related information are analyzed?

Across the series, the research evaluated how companies report on disability in the following areas:

• Workforce representation and hiring practices
• Accessibility and inclusion initiatives
• Quantitative disability employment data
• Qualitative disability employment information

The analysis focuses on whether and how disability is explicitly included in corporate sustainability reporting.

What are the key trends identified across the series?

The analysis suggests that:

• Disability reporting is increasing but remains inconsistent across companies and regions
• Regulatory and stakeholder expectations,particularly in regions like the European Union, are accelerating demand for disability
• Disability is increasingly considered a material consideration for stakeholders

How should companies use this report?

Companies may use this report to:

• Benchmark their current disability reporting practices
• Identify gaps in disclosure and transparency
• Align company metrics with ESG and sustainability reporting strategies
• Prepare for increasing regulatory demand

These reports are intended to support consistent, transparent, and strategic integration of disability employment data into corporate reporting.