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Tiffany Yu on How Disability Accessibility Can Boost Business Success

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After a traumatic car accident at age nine that left her with nerve damage, which limits the use of her right arm, Tiffany Yu has been on a fervent mission to change the conversation around disability, including in the world of business. It’s why she founded her company Diversability, which is led entirely by people with disabilities.

Originally conceived as a student club at her alma mater, Georgetown University, Diversability has evolved into an award-winning social enterprise with a network of over 80,000 people. The company aims to elevate disability pride through community, visibility, and allyship. 

“I couldn’t find a place where I fit, so I created it,” shares Yu on the latest episode of WorkParty. Prior to starting her own company, Yu worked for Goldman Sachs, Bloomberg, and Sean “Diddy” Combs’ Revolt Media and TV. “My whole life up until now has just been open to opportunity,” she adds.

Much of Yu’s advocacy includes promoting the power of inclusion and disability accessibility in business. “There’s so much disabled talent out there,” she says, while also pointing to the massive consumer base that companies ought to tap into. The most recent data shows that up to 1 in 4 adults in the U.S. have some type of disability, according to the CDC. That equates to 27 percent of adults in the nation—all with unique perspectives, talents, and purchasing power who have the potential to drive substantial business growth. 

“We are your consumers,” says Yu. “We have money, but who also has money? Our friends and family. If we love your brand, we’re going to go out and evangelize your brand as well and then that’s going to have that trickle out effect.”

The proof is in the numbers: Companies that prioritize disability inclusion and accessibility achieve on average 28 percent higher revenue, double the net income, and 30 percent higher profit margins, according to a report by the global professional services company Accenture. 

When asked how companies can start thinking about disability accessibility, Yu notes that it starts with giving people with disabilities seats at the table and having the right people in the room. “When you hire disabled people into your company, we can help you think of innovative ideas or things you haven’t thought about before that can open up your brand or whatever you’re building to new audiences,” says Yu. If you aren’t in a position to be able to hire, Yu suggests bringing in a focus group, especially for direct-to-consumer companies. 

Tune into Tiffany Yu’s episode of WorkParty where host Jaclyn Johnson learns more about her journey through adversity, building a community based business, and empowering others in the disabled community today.

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