- Valuable 500 unveils new research exposing critical gaps and untapped opportunities for businesses in achieving inclusive disability representation and unlocking $13 trillion in annual disability spending power.
- Over 50% of disabled consumers surveyed face barriers to accessing content and products, with a mere 2% feeling accurately portrayed in media and marketing.
- Significant missed opportunities are highlighted, as 54% of disabled consumers are more likely to favour companies that represent disability authentically.
- The paper issues a rallying cry for Synchronised Collective Action on accessible experiences, accurate representation, and authentic narratives to end entrenched exclusion.
- Clear recommendations are provided for businesses to champion inclusive disability representation.
Davos, January 17, 2024: The Valuable 500 today launched its white paper Nothing about us without us: the path to sustained progress and accountability in inclusive disability representation at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos. The publication serves as a launchpad for the organisation’s third and final Synchronised Collective Action (SCA) on Representation, following previous actions on Reporting and Leadership. Together, the SCAs provide a framework for companies to address the main barriers to disability inclusion in the business landscape. In December 2025, Valuable 500 companies will be invited to report on their progress at the SYNC25 Accountability Summit in Tokyo.
Developed in partnership with Open Inclusion and Yale University, the white paper offers a global snapshot of the current state of disability representation across 3 key pillars: Accessible Experiences that serve the disabled community, Accurate Representation of the prevalence and lived experience of disability in media and branding, and Authentic Narratives that move beyond outdated tropes and stereotypes of disabled people.
Insights were gathered from over 1000 disabled consumers and thought leaders in 15 countries across 6 continents. The results show that only 2% of disabled consumers feel their lived experiences are consistently and accurately represented, and over 50% have encountered barriers to content, products, and physical and online retail services.
This translates to significant missed opportunities for businesses: $13 trillion in annual disability spending power is overlooked, while 54% of disabled consumers are more likely to purchase from companies that adopt disability-inclusive values and represent disability authentically.
The white paper sheds light on opportunities for progress by illuminating what authenticity means to underserved communities, why gaps endure despite the growing visibility of the issue, and how intentional efforts paired with a standardised approach can drive better resonation and business growth. The paper also features case studies showcasing best practices from companies leading the charge in inclusive representation across various industries, including Jaguar Land Rover, L’Oreal, Procter & Gamble, Sony, and Zalando.
Showcasing world-leading examples of inclusion-led innovations, inclusive marketing, authentic portrayals, and accessible content, it provides clear recommendations for businesses to right systemic wrongs and champion disability inclusion through more authentic portrayals and the adoption of universal accessibility principles.
Media Contacts.
Charlotte Armstrong
Communications Manager, Valuable 500
[email protected]
Notes to Editors.
About Valuable 500
Launched at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in January 2019, the Valuable 500 is the global business partnership of 500 companies working together to end disability exclusion.
Since its creation, the Valuable 500 has achieved its initial goal of getting 500 multinational organisations to make a public commitment to disability inclusion in their organisation, igniting a historic global movement for a new age of diversity in business. The Valuable 500 and their global impact partner The Nippon Foundation, will be working closely with the World Economic Forum and International Disability Alliance – bringing together a leading philanthropic organisation with the most prestigious global business network and the voice of the global disability community.
By engaging with the world’s most influential business leaders and brands, the network now has a market cap of over $23 trillion, combined revenues of over $8 trillion and employs a staggering 22 million people worldwide. It includes 15 iconic global CEOs and companies who will be spearheading the programmes and services to be offered under Phase 2 of the transformation programme.
The Valuable 500 is determined to create a community that supports and empowers the 500 to systematically transform their businesses via synchronised collective actions, so they include the 1.3 billion people living with disabilities worldwide, thereby unlocking their business, social and economic potential. We believe that if business takes the lead, society and government will follow. Truly inclusive businesses can build truly inclusive societies.