Disability:IN is the leading US nonprofit driving disability inclusion in business. Its Disability Equality Index (DEI) is the most widely recognised corporate benchmarking tool in the US. This guide covers the DEI, Disability:IN affiliate network, and how employers can use the framework.
Disability:IN โ The US Standard for Corporate Disability Inclusion
What Is Disability:IN?
Disability:IN (formerly US Business Leadership Network, USBLN) is a US-based nonprofit organisation that works with businesses to advance disability inclusion across the enterprise. It serves over 500 corporate partners including Fortune 500 companies.
Mission: Expand opportunities for people with disabilities across the business ecosystem.
Website: disabilityin.org
The Disability Equality Index (DEI)
The Disability Equality Index is Disability:IN's flagship tool โ a joint initiative with the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD). It is recognised as the most comprehensive disability inclusion assessment tool for US corporations.
What It Measures
The DEI evaluates companies across six scored categories:
Companies scoring 80 or above are designated "Best Places to Work for Disability Inclusion".
Results are published annually in an industry report.
In 2023, 485 companies participated, collectively employing over 12 million people.
Key Trends (2023 DEI Report)
93% of top scorers have a written accommodation process
85% have a disability Employee Resource Group (ERG)
72% have disability-specific supplier diversity goals
64% collect disability self-ID data from employees
Disability:IN Affiliate Network
Disability:IN operates 38 regional affiliates across the US that provide:
Local networking and peer learning events
Connections to supported employment providers
Talent pipelines through Project SEARCH, EARN, and other programmes
Coaching for companies starting their disability inclusion journey
NextGen Leaders Program
Disability:IN's NextGen Leaders programme connects college students and recent graduates who have disabilities with internship and full-time opportunities at Disability:IN corporate partners.
Participants annually: 500+
Placement rate: 70% convert to full-time employment
Disability:IN hosts a dedicated neurodiversity employer community providing:
Best practice sharing on autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and related hiring programmes
Research on neurodivergent talent pipelines
Access to specialist employment partners (Autism Speaks, SHRM, SAP's Autism at Work programme)
Practical Steps for Employers
1. Participate in the DEI
Even if your score is low, participation signals commitment and gives you a structured improvement roadmap. Registration opens each October.
2. Build a Disability ERG
Companies with active disability ERGs score 12 points higher on the DEI on average. An ERG:
Creates psychological safety for disclosure
Provides employee-led feedback on workplace adjustments
Runs awareness campaigns (NDEAM in October is the anchor event)
3. Set a Disability Self-ID Goal
The US workforce disability rate is approximately 12.9% (BLS, 2023), yet most companies see voluntary self-ID rates of 3โ5%. Closing this gap starts with:
Multiple channels for self-ID (onboarding, HR portal, annual voluntary census)
Clear communication about how data is used (for aggregate reporting, not individual tracking)
4. Source from Disability-Owned Businesses
Disability:IN certifies Disability-Owned Business Enterprises (DOBE) and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business Enterprises (SDVOBE). Supplier diversity goals that include disability accelerate DEI scores and expand procurement options.
Comparing Disability:IN DEI and BDF Disability Standard
Dimension
Disability:IN DEI (US)
BDF Disability Standard (UK)
Scale
0โ100
0โ100
Focus
Enterprise-wide (incl. supply chain, customers)
Employment-focused
Validation
Self-assessed + verification
Self-assessed + peer validation
Public recognition
"Best Places to Work" list
Leader designation
Cost
Free to participate
Member fee required
Renewal
Annual
Annual
Disability:IN and the UN CRPD
Disability:IN's framework aligns with Article 27 (Work and Employment) of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), making it useful for multinationals operating across jurisdictions.
Sources: Disability:IN (disabilityin.org), Disability Equality Index 2023 Report, AAPD, US Bureau of Labor Statistics Persons with a Disability: Labor Force Characteristics 2023