Accessibility, Inclusivity and the Bottom Line

Abstract

Rationale: Corporate culture aspires to maximize the collective productivity and synergy of its employees as a means to achieve desired financial results. Objectives: This poster examines the influence of Critical Disability Theory on corporate values and hierarchies, and the deliberate and balancing force that mindful, sustained cultures of inclusivity and accessibility have on the ultimate success of corporations. Methods: The methodologies reflected in this research include surveys, interviews, case studies and analysis of public financial results. Results: There is a positive relationship between inclusivity and organizational performance. Deloitte reports organizations with inclusive cultures are twice as likely to meet or exceed financial targets and Gompers and Kovvali found venture capital firms with a 10% increase in female partner hires translated to a 1.5% increase in overall fund returns and 9.7% more profitable exits, where the baseline is 28.8% profitable exists for venture capital investments. Conclusions: Active commitment to a culture of inclusivity and accessibility makes a measurable and sustained impact on both productivity and innovation. The most successful organizations have not only reexamined and adjusted their policies, but have most critically committed to ongoing, purposeful training and exercises reinforcing the tenets of inclusivity.