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, the presentation of latest business initiatives on disability at global and local level as well as the informal networking of conference participations. The conference will also see the launch of two ILO GBDN knowledge products, i.e. one on disability-inclusive Environmental, Social, and governance (ESG) and one on disability-inclusive supply chains. International Sign interpretation and live captioning in English, French and Spanish will be provided.

ILO Global Business and Disability Network

The conference opening will see welcoming remarks by the ILO and Atos, the current ILO Global Business and Disability Network (GBDN) Chair. Further, new members, including multinational enterprises and National Business and Disability Networks, that have joined the ILO Global Network since its last year’s annual conference will be officially welcomed to the network and will share a description of their company/organisation and why they joined the ILO's GBDN.

Geneva

Opening remarks and welcoming of and 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. This session will also see the launch of the ILO GBDN’s “Disability-inclusive Supply Chains: Guide for Business”.

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.

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.

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.

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 ILO GBDN’s guide “Putting the I in ESG: Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities as Strategic Advantage of Sustainability Practices for Corporates and Investors”.

Putting the I in ESG: Disability-inclusive sustainability efforts as strategic advantage

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.

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.

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.

Staying connected: Key global events on disability employment and business

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From Margin to Mainstream: Disability in Business

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