Ryan FowlerDisability managers are essential to tackling ableism in the workplace, according to new research by Lisa Buchter, professor of sociology at emlyon business school.
The study found that although disability laws exist, they are often only partially implemented by organisations, leaving structural ableism largely unaddressed without dedicated intervention.
Buchter’s research highlights the impact of disability managers who adopt activist approaches to embed accessibility and inclusivity across recruitment, training and internal policy. These managers often play a key role in helping colleagues understand legal obligations, while also providing practical solutions for accommodations and working to dismantle ableist assumptions.
“Despite disability laws being introduced, most companies still do not meet the quota of disabled workers in France,” said Buchter. “This, in part, stemmed from limited recruitment of people with disabilities and from the failure of organisations to accommodate and retain workers whose disabilities worsened over time. My research sheds light on the need to act at different levels to address the various forms of ableism and emphasises the importance of disability managers to engage in this important work.”
The study, published in the Journal of Business Ethics, found that some of the most effective disability managers are themselves disabled. These individuals often disclose their status to build trust with others and use personal experience to challenge discriminatory practices and assumptions. Their lived experience gives them insight into the barriers disabled colleagues face, allowing them to lead more empathetically and effectively.
Buchter notes that disability managers who are themselves disabled may also experience stigma or fear of professional limitations, which further fuels their drive to create truly inclusive workplaces.
By focusing not just on compliance but also on cultural change, the research concludes that disability managers can help move organisations beyond surface-level diversity policies and towards sustained, systemic inclusion.
