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The pace at which the digital realm of the world economy is developing needs to be accompanied by appropriate measure to protect the labour rights of persons with disabilities and to promote their inclusion in the workforce. Further, the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and latest legislation like the European Accessibility Act offer opportunities for promoting inclusiveness.International Sign interpretation and&nbsp;<a href="https://interprefy.interpret.world/loginlink?token=GBDN2024re-capt">live captioning in English, French, Spanish and Arabic</a>&nbsp;are provided.

The ILO Global Business and Disability Network (GBDN) will host its 11th global annual conference “From Margin to Mainstream: Disability in Business” on 27th and 28th November 2024 at the ILO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland – using a hybrid modality.&nbsp;The ILO GBDN conference will allow for the welcoming of new ILO GBDN members, the exchange on good corporate practices on disability inclusion, and the presentation of latest business initiatives on disability at global and local levels.International Sign interpretation and <a href="https://interprefy.interpret.world/loginlink?token=GBDN2024re-capt">live captioning in English, French Spanish and Arabic</a> are provided.

ILO Global Business and Disability Network

The conference opening will see welcoming remarks by the ILO Director-General and Atos, the current chair of the ILO Global Business and Disability Network (GBDN).&nbsp;This session will also see the launch of the “Business Leaders’ Pledge on Disability-Inclusive Sustainability Practices”, signed by some company members of the ILO GBDN. Further, new members that have joined the ILO GBDN since its last year’s annual conference will be officially welcomed to the network.International Sign interpretation and&nbsp;<a href="https://interprefy.interpret.world/loginlink?token=GBDN2024re-capt">live captioning in English, French, Spanish and Arabic</a>&nbsp;are provided.

Geneva

Opening remarks, business leaders pledge, welcoming of new members

From Margin to Mainstream: Disability in Business

Disability- and accessibility-related requirements set by multinational enterprises in their supply chains can be strong incentives for other companies, including medium-sized companies, to improve their own disability inclusion policies and practices.International Sign interpretation and&nbsp;<a href="https://interprefy.interpret.world/loginlink?token=GBDN2024re-capt">live captioning in English, French, Spanish and Arabic</a>&nbsp;are provided.

Promoting disability in companies’ supply chains: Current practices and recommendations

Reasonable adjustments aim to provide equal opportunities for employees at the workplace, so their skills and talents can be used to full capacity. By recognising and accommodating individual needs, companies create work environments that truly welcome the diversity of their staff, including people with disabilities, and thereby contribute to greater business success.International Sign interpretation and&nbsp;<a href="https://interprefy.interpret.world/loginlink?token=GBDN2024re-capt">live captioning in English, French, Spanish and Arabic</a>&nbsp;are provided.

Adjusting for success: Reasonable accommodations at work

No longer not only a “nice to have”, Employee Resource Groups (ERGs)/Networks on disability issues are now a “must have” for any organisation that wants to learn directly from its own people and provide a safe place for employees with disabilities, including neurodivergent colleagues, to network and learn from each other.International Sign interpretation and&nbsp;<a href="https://interprefy.interpret.world/loginlink?token=GBDN2024re-capt">live captioning in English, French, Spanish and Arabic</a>&nbsp;are provided.

Learning directly from colleagues with disabilities: Employee Resource Groups

Understanding the communalities and differences persons with disabilities may encounter when it comes to employment in different countries and learning how entities in different world regions support them is vital in ensuring persons with disabilities are included in the world of work. This session will feature speakers to share the situation in Africa, Asia and the Pacific, the Arab States, and Latin America.International Sign interpretation and&nbsp;<a href="https://interprefy.interpret.world/loginlink?token=GBDN2024re-capt">live captioning in English, French, Spanish and Arabic</a>&nbsp;are provided.

Exchanging between world regions: Communalities and differences

Disability inclusion is increasingly gaining importance in corporate sustainability practices, including in Environmental, Social, Governance (ESG) efforts and reporting. Further, investors are increasingly considering non-financial factors and sustainability considerations - also within ESG frameworks - in their decision-making processes. This session will also see the launch of the&nbsp;ILO GBDN guide “Putting the I in ESG: Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities as Strategic Advantage of Sustainability Practices for Corporates and Investors”.International Sign interpretation and&nbsp;<a href="https://interprefy.interpret.world/loginlink?token=GBDN2024re-capt">live captioning in English, French, Spanish and Arabic</a>&nbsp;are provided.

Putting the I in ESG: Disability Inclusion as strategic advantage of sustainability efforts

Inclusiveness in a digital economy: Avatars, accessibility, and Artificial Intelligence

Neurodiversity refers to the idea that all humans have diverse cognitive profiles, neurological abilities and strengths and weaknesses, which should be recognised and respected. Businesses are increasingly recognising that neurodivergent persons can bring much needed talent and skills to workplaces if appropriate policies and procedures enable their full professional potential.International Sign interpretation and&nbsp;<a href="https://interprefy.interpret.world/loginlink?token=GBDN2024re-capt">live captioning in English, French, Spanish and Arabic</a>&nbsp;are provided.

Unlocking neurodivergent talent: Neuro-inclusive companies

Several global events on disability inclusion in business will be held in the 12 months after the ILO GBDN 11th global annual conference. This session will see presentations on the Harkin International Disability Employment Summit (December 2024, Washington D.C.), the Zero Project Conference (March 2025, Vienna), the third Global Disability Summit (April 2025, Berlin), and the SYNC25 Accountability Summit (December 2025, Tokyo).The ILO will deliver closing remarks for the conference, after the session on upcoming key global events.International Sign interpretation and&nbsp;<a href="https://interprefy.interpret.world/loginlink?token=GBDN2024re-capt">live captioning in English, French, Spanish and Arabic</a>&nbsp;are provided.

Staying connected: Key global events on disability employment and business

Davos

Switzerland

ILO Headquarters

Room IV

Palais des Nations

Room XX

Graduate Institute

New York City

Washington

United States of America

Taryn M. Williams

U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL)

Opening Remarks

Assistant Secretary of Labor for Disability Employment Policy

Thorkild Olesen

Panelists

Executive Committee member, European Disability Forum (EDF)

Christopher Patnoe

Head of Accessibility and Disability Inclusion EMEA, Google

Stephen Framil

Corporate Global Head of Accessibility, Merck/MSD

Philippe Hello

Handilab Senior Advisor, Groupe FIMINCO

Samantha Zalewska

Coordinator Social Sustainability, United Nations Global Compact 

Susan-Scott Parker

Moderator

Founder, Scott-Parker International

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