How Can MNEs Effectively Advance Disability Inclusion?

Despite strengthened international norms and heightened awareness, measures to promote the employment rights of people with disabilities by multinational enterprises (MNEs) continue to be undermined by symbolic gestures and resistance in practice. We argue that a multi-stakeholder approach can enable the effective embedding of disability inclusion in MNEs, generating sustained business and societal value. Drawing on interviews with senior leaders, human resources professionals, and employees with disabilities, complemented by internal and public documents, this study examines disability inclusion initiatives at three MNEs. We analyze how such initiatives are framed, and how leadership commitment, stakeholder collaboration, and employee support are mobilized to achieve a sustained transformation.