The Business Disability Forum has launched its revamped Disability Smart Impact Awards 2026, opening nominations today to coincide with the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
The awards, which have been renamed to emphasise measurable change, celebrate organisations and individuals delivering tangible improvements to the lives of disabled employees, customers and service users. BDF said the new focus reflects a growing need for companies not just to show good intentions but to demonstrate real-world impact.
Diane Lightfoot, CEO of Business Disability Forum, said the rebrand marks an evolution in how disability inclusion should be recognised. “The awards are all about individuals and organisations making a real and lasting impact by removing barriers to inclusion,” she said. “Good intentions aren’t enough. For positive change to happen, we need tangible outcomes that help to shape a better future for everyone.”
The awards are free to enter and open to UK and global organisations of all sizes, with 14 categories available. A new technology award specifically for small businesses has been introduced this year, recognising innovative uses of inclusive tech and AI. A Lifetime Achievement Award will also recognise an individual who has shown ongoing commitment to disability inclusion.
Since their launch in 2015, the awards have showcased practical initiatives across sectors that improve workplace experience, customer access, product design and the built environment.
Lightfoot added that the Awards have often acted as a catalyst for long-term progress. “The Disability Smart Impact Awards are a platform for sharing practical, real-life projects that have had a positive impact. These awards go beyond recognition – they spark sustained action and new partnerships.”
Previous winners say the awards can be transformative. Imali Chislett, co-founder of Inkfire, which won the Inclusive Workplace Experience Award for small organisations last year, said the recognition “opened new doors to collaborations” and boosted credibility with clients. “It has helped amplify our message about the value of disabled-led innovation,” she said.
This year’s categories include Disability & Inclusion Professional, Leader Award, Recruitment, Inclusive Communication, Customer Experience, Accessible Built Environment, and Global Disability Inclusion. There are separate categories for small and large organisations in technology and workplace experience, as well as product design and procurement awards.
How to Enter
Nominations open close on 21 January 2026. Winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in London in April 2026. Full details and past winners can be found on the Business Disability Forum website.
Business Disability Forum works with more than 600 member organisations, representing over 20% of the UK workforce, helping businesses remove barriers and improve the experiences of disabled employees and consumers.
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Disability Smart Impact Awards 2026 launch with new focus on measurable inclusion