Business Disability Forum

What Business Disability Forum does

Business Disability Forum is a UK-registered charity (no. 1018463) and not-for-profit business membership organisation founded in 1986, headquartered in London, that works with over 600 Member and Partner organisations to advance disability inclusion in workplaces and consumer markets. Its membership base spans large enterprises, FTSE 100 companies, global brands, and public sector employers whose combined UK workforce exceeds 5 million employees and worldwide workforce exceeds 16 million. The organisation is led by CEO Diane Lightfoot (appointed February 2017) and operates with a 50-60+ person team across advisory, policy, research, consultancy and events functions.

The organisation's core technology platform is the Disability Smart framework, delivered through three assessment tools: the Disability Smart Self-Assessment and Audit for UK organisations and the Global Disability Smart Assessment for multinationals operating across eight country markets (Brazil, China, India, Poland, South Africa, UAE, UK, USA). Complementary products include the Advice Service (specialist confidential guidance available by phone, email and SignVideo BSL), the Knowledge Hub (resource library with toolkits, podcasts, the 750+ image Disability Smart Image Bank, and 110,000+ annual downloads), Networks and Taskforces (Technology, Global, Construction, Procurement, Premises and Facilities), a Consultancy Service, Learning and Development programmes, licensed Publications, and the annual Disability Smart Impact Awards.

Revenue is generated through a two-tier subscription model with Member and Partner tiers priced annually but not publicly disclosed, supplemented by event sponsorship (reaching 600+ members, 14,000 newsletter recipients, and 30,000 social followers), fee-based consultancy (Partners receive 5 days annually included), and licensed toolkit publications. Distribution is relationship-led via dedicated Business Partners and Senior Business Partners conducting direct sales to enterprise accounts, supported by digital channels including the website, Knowledge Hub, LinkedIn, and email. The organisation is governed by a Board of Trustees chaired by Steve Ingham CBE and holds no external investors.

Name

Business Disability Forum

Legal name

Business Disability Forum

Website

https://businessdisabilityforum.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1986

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Business Disability Forum is a UK-registered charity and not-for-profit membership organisation that supports over 600 enterprise and public sector members in advancing disability inclusion through advisory services, diagnostic assessments, training, and policy advocacy, reaching 5 million UK and 16 million worldwide employees.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability Inclusion Advisory Services

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Individual and Family Services (6241), Business Associations (813910), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGACAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGAEAG), Disability Services & Assistive Solutions (Accessibility, Assistive Tech) (BPAGALAM)

Keywords

• Disability inclusion services
• Workplace accessibility consulting
• Diversity and inclusion advisory
• Accessibility assessment tools
• Disability inclusion membership

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Subscriptions: Business Disability Forum generates revenue through membership subscriptions. Organisations join as either Member or Partner, paying annual fees for access to the Advice Service, Knowledge Hub, Disability Smart management tools, networking events, and dedicated relationship management. Membership highlights commitment to disability inclusion and provides access to expert advice and support.
2. Event Sponsorship: The organisation offers sponsorship packages for events, including Annual Conference and Disability Smart Impact Awards. Sponsorships reach 600+ members, 30,000 social media followers and 14,000 newsletter recipients. Packages can be tailored and include event sponsorship and related resource sponsorship bundling.
3. Consultancy and Training Services: Additional fee-based services include consultancy (Partners get 5 days included), and discounted licence fees for resource toolkits for use on member organisation intranets.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Business Disability Forum is a not-for-profit business membership organisation that provides disability inclusion advisory services, assessment tools, training, knowledge resources and peer networking to over 600 UK and multinational Member and Partner organisations. Its core deliverables include a dedicated relationship manager (Business Partner or Senior Business Partner), an unlimited confidential Advice Service, the Disability Smart Self-Assessment and Audit tools, the Global Disability Smart Assessment for multinationals, access to the Knowledge Hub of toolkits and guidance, and participation in Networks and Taskforces such as the Technology Taskforce and Global Taskforce.

Product overview

Business Disability Forum operates as a membership-based disability inclusion consultancy and resource organisation, not a software product company. Its portfolio consists of advisory services, assessment tools, knowledge resources, networking communities, and training offerings. The core offerings include: the Global Disability Smart Assessment (a benchmarking tool for multinational organisations); the Advice Service (specialist confidential guidance); Disability Smart Management Tools (Self-Assessment and Audit for UK organisations); the Knowledge Hub (resource library with toolkits and guidance); and Networks and Taskforces (peer communities including Technology and Global Taskforces). Additional services include Consultancy, Learning and Development, Publications, Support for Small Businesses, Expert Solution Providers, and the Changing the Image of Disability campaign. The two-tier membership structure offers Member and Partner levels, with Partners receiving enhanced benefits including dedicated Senior Business Partners and consultancy days.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Disability Smart: A framework and assessment tool for disability inclusion used across ten business areas, including Disability Smart Self-Assessment, Disability Smart Audit, and Global Disability Smart Assessment.
• Disability Smart Impact Awards
• Disability Smart Image Bank

Products and services

• Global Disability Smart Assessment Comprehensive assessment tool for multinational organisations to measure and benchmark disability inclusion performance across markets, regions and business areas, with optional expert verification and actionable improvement roadmaps. Built on a structured framework with tailored question sets for Brazil, China, India, Poland, South Africa, UAE, UK and USA.
• Advice Service Unlimited confidential access to specialist advisers for disability-related queries, case management support, policy review and strategic guidance for Member and Partner organisations. Available by phone, email and SignVideo BSL Live for British Sign Language users.
• Disability Smart Management Tools Self-Assessment and Audit tools enabling organisations to measure disability inclusion performance across ten strategic business areas and track improvement over time.
• Knowledge Hub Extensive online resource library containing toolkits, information sheets, case studies and guidance on disability inclusion topics, accessible to Members and Partners with some free open content such as the Disability Essentials range.
• Networks and Taskforces Professional communities including the Technology Taskforce and Global Taskforce enabling peer sharing, collaboration and knowledge exchange on disability inclusion across industries.
• Learning and Development Training courses and bespoke learning programmes helping organisations build internal capability on disability inclusion and accessibility.
• Consultancy Service Tailored consultancy engagements providing strategic and operational support for disability inclusion initiatives, with Partners receiving five days of consultancy annually included in their membership.
• Publications Licensed resource toolkits for organisational intranet deployment, including best practice briefings, people manager guides and global guides on disability inclusion.
• Support for Small Businesses Targeted guidance and resources helping small businesses improve disability inclusion for both employees and customers, including free Small Business Memberships offered through Partner organisations.
• Disability Smart Impact Awards Annual awards programme celebrating organisations and individuals removing barriers for disabled people, showcasing best practice and impact across multiple categories including Accessible Built Environment, Customer Experience and Global Disability Inclusion.
• Changing the Image of Disability Campaign and image bank providing over 750 curated disability-representative images and guidance for organisations on inclusive visual representation.

Quantifiable outcome

• More than 90% of businesses in Global Disability Inclusion Research said disability inclusion is the right thing to do
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ShellcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerShell collaborated in the creation of the Global Disability Smart Assessment tool, contributing expertise in disability inclusion and accessibility to develop the assessment framework for multinational organisations.
• Schneider ElectriccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSchneider Electric collaborated in creating the Global Disability Smart Assessment tool and is also a BDF Partner member. The partnership has been pivotal in shaping Schneider Electric's early-stage disability inclusion strategy and objectives.
• GSK (GlaxoSmithKline)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGSK collaborated in the creation of the Global Disability Smart Assessment tool, contributing expertise in disability inclusion and accessibility to develop the framework for multinational organisations.
• AmazoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAmazon collaborated in creating the Global Disability Smart Assessment tool and is also a BDF member. Amazon works with BDF to enhance its disability inclusion efforts across its global operations.
• NatWest (National Westminster Bank)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerNatWest has benefited from event sponsorship of BDF events. Former executive Oliver Holbourn won the 2024 Disability Smart Leader Award for his work on accessibility at NatWest, including growing the Enable Disability and Neurodiversity network to over 3,000 members.
• HSBCminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHSBC has benefited from event sponsorship of BDF events including hosting the Disability Smart Impact Awards. HSBC Group Head of Digital Experience and Accessibility Mali Fernando MBE has provided testimonial highlighting the value of BDF events in spreading disability inclusion practices across HSBC worldwide.
• MicrolinkminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMicrolink sponsored BDF's Annual Conference as a disability inclusion specialist with over 20 years of experience in workplace adjustments and accessibility. They help individuals thrive and organisations unlock the full potential of their workforce.
• EvenbreakminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAward-winning job board for disabled people. BDF Members receive 10% discount on Evenbreak's services. Evenbreak's founder Jane Hatton has provided video testimonial for BDF.
• TexthelpminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTexthelp sponsored four Global webinars plus the Global Toolkit, maximising reach and exposure for their accessibility technology solutions through BDF's event and resource marketing channels.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• PurpleSpace: UK-based disability employee resource group (ERG) member network serving organizations with disability and neurodiversity staff networks. Comparable member-base/audience focus though more focused on internal ERG development than BDF's broader enterprise inclusion scope.
• The Valuable 500: Global disability business inclusion movement with 500+ CEOs committed to disability inclusion. Comparable in mission and enterprise engagement model, though operates as a CEO-led pledge/coalition rather than subscription-based paid membership.
• AbilityNet: UK-based registered charity providing free advice, resources, and consultancy on digital accessibility and disability inclusion to individuals and organizations. Comparable as a UK-based disability-focused charity with similar educational/knowledge hub distribution and expert advice service.
• Disability:IN: US-based nonprofit corporate disability inclusion membership organization offering the Disability Equality Index (DEI Assessment) and advisory services to enterprises. Directly comparable in business model (membership + assessment tools), target customer (Fortune 500/global enterprises), and mission (corporate disability inclusion), though operating in the US market.

Broad incumbents

• Scope UK: Major UK disability charity with broader service remit (campaigning, direct services, social model) and significant individual-support focus. Shares the UK disability nonprofit framing but offers overlapping thought leadership and employer inclusion guidance as one of several programs.
• Mencap: UK's leading learning disability charity serving individuals with learning disabilities, with broader service/remit including advocacy and direct support. Overlaps in disability awareness and employer-facing inclusion work but operates as a much broader service charity rather than business membership body.
• Leonard Cheshire: UK and global disability charity supporting disabled people through direct services, education, and advocacy, with some employer-facing programs. Comparable as a substantial UK disability charity, but focused more on direct services than B2B membership.

Emerging players

• Evenbreak: UK-based award-winning job board and talent platform specifically for disabled jobseekers. Comparable mission (disability employment) and is a BDF marketing partner; overlapping scope on inclusive recruitment support but narrower product focus.
• Diversity and Ability: UK-based social enterprise providing disability inclusion training, consultancy, and neurodiversity support services. Comparable consulting/training offering though smaller scale and more focused on training delivery than broad membership ecosystem.

Regional players

• Inclusion Europe: European-level federation of disability rights organizations working on European policy and inclusion. Comparable in mission and pan-regional disability inclusion advocacy but operates at policy/federation level rather than as a paid business membership organization.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/DisabilitySmart
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/EFDVideos
• Facebookfacebook.com/DisabilitySmart
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/business-disability-forum

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Business Disability Forum