• Raise the profile of and prioritise disability as a business issue  
• Educate companies about key issues relating to disability  
• Change mindsets in Asia about the availability and capability of disabled talent  
• Encourage and support companies to build disability confidence and remove barriers to inclusion for people with disabilities  
• Work in partnership to build the capability of disabled talent

Community Business believes that much needs to be done to overcome the social exclusion of the most disadvantaged in our society and that companies have a key role to play. People with disabilities are a key target group in this respect - often disabled not so much by the impairments themselves but by society’s reaction and treatment of them. Based on our experience of working with companies in the Asia region, we know that many companies, whilst interested, are hesitant about how to approach the subject of disability in their organisations. 

Much of the hesitancy about employing disabled people stems from a fear of the unknown and unfounded myths and stereotypes about the capability of disabled people in the workplace. By focusing our efforts on highlighting the business imperative, changing mindsets and helping companies build their capability to employ and do business with disabled people, we are working with companies in the Asia region to build ‘disability confidence’ – a term borrowed from the Employers’ Forum on Disability in the UK – now known as the Business Disability Forum.  

In Asia

• China: Haibin Zhou
• Hong Kong: CareER 
• India: EnableIndia, GiftAbled
• Singapore: Disabled People's Association

Beyond Asia

• Australia Network on Disability
• Business Disability International
• PurpleSpace
• The Valuable 500

Community Business is proud to be partnering with disability activist, Caroline Casey to promoteThe Valuable 500 campaign in Asia.

Speaking at the World Economic Forum earlier this year, Caroline highlighted the challenge of competing diversity agendas, stating that whilst 90% of companies prioritise diversity, only 4% include disability – a message which is reinforced in her entertaining  Diversish video.

Recognising the transformative power of business, Caroline has launched The Valuable 500 campaign -  a global movement designed to put disability on the business leadership agenda. The campaign is looking for 500 companies to join – demonstrating their commitment at the most senior levels.

To be a part of this campaign, leaders are asked to do 3 things:

On 15 May 2019, Community Business hosted a webinar with Caroline Casey to find out more. To find out how we can support your company to get involved in Asia, please contact us.

Find out more about Caroline through her TedTalk: Looking Past Limits which has received more than 2 million views.

For more information about Building Disability Confidence in the workplace, please get in touch with the team.