The economic case for disability quotas

Originally published in The Business Post.

With the European Accessibility Act (EAA) taking effect this week, global companies operating in the EU must now meet new requirements to ensure the products and services they offer are accessible for people with disabilities.

At its core, the EAA is a market harmonisation regulation–but by focusing specifically on accessibility, it also expands civil rights protections.

In doing so, it follows landmark laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in the US and the UK’s Equality Act 2010. These protections matter–not only because they promote equality, but because they also increase economic opportunities for people with disabilities.

Yet, there’s another regulatory mechanism, often overlooked, that creates economic benefits for both individuals with disabilities and taxpayers: disability employment quotas.

Hiring targets and quotas have recently faced heightened criticism amid broader pushback against DE&I initiatives. Critics argue that public and private sector quotas drain taxpayer funds, unnecessarily burden businesses, threaten meritocracy and deprive organisations of qualified candidates.

But here’s the reality: disability quotas save–rather than cost–taxpayers money.

Continue reading at The Business Post.