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Accessibility crucial in achieving the UN Global Goals

Sustainability progress and achieving the UN Global Goals for Sustainable Development is possible by making accessibility and disabilities a priority.


A lot of tech startups today have solutions to solve some of our biggest challenges in the world – be it food waste, climate action or other regenerative business ideas. Handiscover is among the first to solve the accessibility/disability part of the social sustainability challenges. Our company is all about equality and inclusiveness – enabling an accessible world is the mission. 

Accessibility is an integral part of the ’S’ in the ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) sustainability work. By making the physical world more accessible Handiscover facilitates true inclusivity and equality. Increasing knowledge about these issues is crucial, as well. 

Even though sustainability has been a key factor for leading companies for decades, the colourful and comprehensive Agenda 2030 (the UN Global Goals for Sustainable Development) have made it easy to map and communicate. Among the 17 goals, Handiscover is actually in alignment with 5 of them: Goal 10 Reduced Inequalities, Goal 17 Partnerships for the goals, Goal 4 Quality Education, Goal 9 Industry, innovation and infrastructure and Goal 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities.

Companies in various industries – such as retail, estate, hospitality and transportation – have done accessibility improvements led by both legal compliance and increased pressure from communities, disability advocates and organisations. However, it has been difficult to track the efforts for further improvements, and also to communicate them to citizens, clients and customers. Handiscover Accessibility’s platform and solutions act to solve these issues. Read more about the dashboards and widget here.

Not only the social aspects of sustainability are important to mention. The P for Profit (according to the Triple bottom line, 3BL, which stands for People, Planet and Profit) is also a benefit of working with physical accessibility:

– This is a great business opportunity. The companies that join our Accessibility Management Program have understood that by welcoming every customer, regardless of needs, there is growth potential. In fact, around 20 per cent of the population have some kind of disability and as people are getting older, this figure will increase. So doing good is of course a great idea in many ways, says founder and CEO Sebastien Archambeaud. 

It is also interesting to note that some have promoted an updated 3BL-model with Partnership – just like one of the Global Goals. It is also relevant for Handiscover since it’s only through collaboration with companies and municipalities progress within this field is possible. Handiscover is an enabler, just as the mission states.

Next time you are reporting your sustainability efforts, make sure to report your accessibility improvements. But first, if you haven’t partnered with us yet: Welcome on board!


Handiscover’s relevant targets in the Global Goals

Goal 10:
10.2: Promote universal social, economic and political inclusion
10.3: Ensure equal opportunities and end discrimination

Goal 17:
17.7: Encourage effective partnerships

Goal 4:
4.8: Build and upgrade inclusive and safe schools

Goal 9:
9.1: Develop sustainable, resilient and inclusive infrastructures
Goal 11:
11.2: Affordable and sustainable transport systems
11.3: Inclusive and sustainable urbanization
11.7: Provide access to safe and inclusive green and public spaces 

Goals and targets-1
  • The 3BL/TBL stands for People, Planet & Profit. The model was launched in the 1990s. Throughout the years, both Partnership, Prosperity and Peace have been suggested as relevant to improve the model.

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