Disabled By Society: Company Profile

Background

Disabled By Society is a UK-based disability inclusion consultancy founded in October 2024 by Celia Chartres-Aris and Jamie Shields. The company is dedicated to transforming societal structures, systems, and mindsets that exclude disabled and neurodivergent individuals. Their mission is to move organizations beyond performative inclusion by implementing strategic, lived-experience-driven, and practical changes that foster genuine accessibility and equity.

Key Strategic Focus

Disabled By Society specializes in providing tailored solutions to organizations aiming to embed disability inclusion into their core operations. Their services encompass training, consultancy, policy development, recruitment strategies, marketing and branding, leadership support, event planning, employee retention, educational initiatives, and the establishment of disability networks. By leveraging their lived experiences, the company ensures that their strategies are not only compliant with accessibility standards but also resonate authentically with the disabled community.

Financials and Funding

As a recently established entity, Disabled By Society has not yet publicly disclosed detailed financial information or funding history. The company is currently in the process of submitting its first set of accounts, due by July 18, 2026.

Technological Platform and Innovation

While Disabled By Society does not emphasize proprietary technologies, they are committed to utilizing accessible digital platforms and tools to deliver their services. Their website adheres to WCAG AA guidelines, ensuring features such as correct heading structures, accessible color contrasts, alt text for images, descriptive links, and keyboard navigation. This dedication to accessibility reflects their broader commitment to creating inclusive digital environments.

Leadership Team

Celia Chartres-Aris: Co-founder and Director, recognized as one of the UK's most influential disabled individuals on the Shaw Trust Disability Power 100 list.

Jamie Shields: Co-founder and Director, voted the second most influential grassroots disability advocate in the UK, also acknowledged by the Shaw Trust Disability Power 100.

Both leaders bring a wealth of lived experience and professional expertise to the organization, driving its mission to effect meaningful change.

Competitor Profile

Market Insights and Dynamics

The disability inclusion consultancy sector is experiencing growth, driven by increased awareness of the economic and social benefits of inclusivity. The global spending power of disabled individuals and their families, often referred to as the 'Purple Pound,' is substantial, presenting significant opportunities for businesses that prioritize accessibility.

Competitor Analysis

Key competitors in this space include organizations like Disability:IN, which offers comprehensive inclusion strategies and resources, and social enterprises such as John's Crazy Socks, known for their commitment to hiring disabled individuals and promoting inclusivity through their business models.

Strategic Collaborations and Partnerships

Disabled By Society collaborates with a network of consultants, speakers, and trainers from across the disability community, known as The Unlearning Collective. This collaboration enriches their service offerings with a breadth of lived experiences and specialist insights, enhancing their capacity to deliver impactful and authentic inclusion strategies.

Operational Insights

The company's approach is characterized by boldness, creativity, and a commitment to disrupting traditional systems. By reframing narratives around disability and focusing on systemic change, Disabled By Society differentiates itself from competitors that may offer more conventional, compliance-focused solutions.

Strategic Opportunities and Future Directions

As organizations worldwide increasingly recognize the importance of genuine inclusion, Disabled By Society is well-positioned to expand its impact. Potential future directions include developing digital resources and tools to reach a broader audience, forming strategic partnerships with global organizations to influence inclusion practices on a larger scale, and advocating for policy changes that promote systemic accessibility and equity.