Disability Smart Awards 2025 open for nominations

Business Disability Forum (BDF) has opened nominations for its Disability Smart Awards 2025 today (3 December). The Disability Smart Awards 2025 are free to enter and open to UK and global organisations of any size and in any sector.

A woman with a less-visible disability (chronic illness) drives a passenger assistance vehicle at the airport. She is wearing a sunflower lanyard and a high vis vest.
Winning projects recognise the needs of people with visible and less-visible disabilities

Now in their eleventh year, these annual awards showcase the work of organisations that are improving the life experiences of disabled employees and consumers, by removing barriers to inclusion. 1 in 4 people in the UK has a disability and the estimated annual spending power of disabled people in the UK is £274 billion.

There are 13 Disability Smart Award categories for 2025 including two new awards specifically for small and medium sized businesses around inclusive workplace experience and customer service.

Diane Lightfoot, CEO, Business Disability Forum, said:

“Our Disability Smart Awards are an opportunity for employers and businesses – both large and small – to show the practical steps they have taken to improve experiences for disabled people. We want to hear about projects that put disabled people front and centre, recognising the value that disabled people bring to the workplace, the economy and society.”

Disability Smart Awards 2025

The 13 Disability Smart Awards 2025 categories are:

Disability Smart Diversity and Inclusion Professional Award

This award will be given to someone working in diversity and inclusion who has overseen real and tangible improvements for disabled people in the workplace and potentially beyond.

Disability Smart Leader Award

This award will be given to an inspirational leader who driven disability inclusion agenda to bring about positive change and break down the barriers experienced by disabled people.

Disability Smart Technology Award

This award will be given for a use of technology that has really improved the life opportunities and experiences of disabled people as a consumers, in the workplace or in wider society.

Disability Smart Inclusive Workplace Experience Award – large organisation (250+ employees)

This award will be given to a larger organisation that is a great place to work and shows that it values the physical and mental health and wellbeing of all its workers, including disabled people.

Disability Smart Inclusive Workplace Experience Award – small organisation (up to 250 employees)

This award will be given to a smaller organisation that has introduced thoughtful, engaging, and inclusive practices to allow disabled employees to grow, develop and thrive at work.

Disability Smart Inclusive Recruitment Award

This award will be given to an organisation or team that has created innovative, inclusive and accessible recruitment campaigns that have resulted in greater recruitment of disabled people.

Disability Smart Inclusive Communication Campaign Award

This award will be given to an organisation or team that has created a truly inclusive internal or external communication campaign, which has involved disabled people throughout.

Disability Smart Accessible Built Environment Award

This award will be given to an organisation that has created accessible and inclusive physical spaces for everyone, including disabled people, and which promote physical and mental wellbeing.

Disability Smart Inclusive Customer Experience Award – large organisation (250+ employees)

This award will be given to a larger organisation that provides excellent customer experience to everyone. This might be through the customer service they provide or by creating a new product or service.  

Disability Smart Inclusive Customer Experience Award – small organisation (up to 250 employees)

This award will be given to a smaller organisation which shows that size is no barrier when it comes to recognising and meeting the needs of disabled customers.

Disability Smart Global Disability Inclusion Award

This award will be given to a global organisation or team that has overcome the challenges of different locations and cultures to deliver for disabled people on a global scale.

Disability Smart Inclusive Product Design Award

This award will go to an organisation or team that has created a new product which is both accessible and aspirational and has considered the needs of disabled people from inception through to delivery.  

Disability Smart Procurement Award

This award will go to an organisation or team that have improved the life opportunities and experiences for disabled people through procuring accessible products and using inclusive suppliers.

Disability Smart Awards nominations

Nominations for the Disability Smart Awards 2025 open on 3 December 2024 and close on 17 January 2025. Winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in London in April. Go to Business Disability Forum’s Disability Smart Awards page to find out how to enter and to read about past winners.

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