The third Thursday of May each year is Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD), a time to talk, think, and learn about accessibility.

Approximately 1.3 billion people worldwide, or one in six people, live with some form of disability*. As people live longer and place greater importance on staying healthy and independent, accessibility and inclusion are not just considerations for certain groups. Instead, they are essential to help many live rich, fulfilling, and sustainable lives.

Toshimoto Mitomo, CSO and Officer in charge of Sustainability, Sony Group Corporation, states, "As a creative entertainment company, Sony aims to realize its Creative Entertainment Vision, a future where we deliver Kando (emotion) without limits by working alongside and supporting creators around the world. For that, we believe that understanding diverse needs is essential. At Sony, inclusive design, developed in partnership with a wide range of people with different needs, such as those with disabilities, is incorporated into the product and service commercialization process to improve accessibility in our products, services and entertainment. Our efforts in accessibility and inclusion are the foundation of a society where diverse people and values can intersect, evolve, and thrive."

Beyond raising awareness for the importance of accessibility and inclusion, Sony is fostering a corporate culture grounded in lived experience by providing opportunities for employees to engage directly with inclusive design. For example, inclusive design workshops, held regularly for employees globally, have reached approximately 3,000 participants as of March 2026. In addition, more than 123,000 employees globally have completed accessibility-related e-learning programs as of March 2026.

Scenes from the film GOAT

Sony is also advancing a wide range of initiatives across multiple businesses.
Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) has been a sponsor of the Easterseals Disability Film Challenge (EDFC) for nine years, providing creators with opportunities to share their perspectives on disability through short film writing, directing, editing, and acting, while recognizing outstanding work. In 2024, EDFC launched the industry's first loop group** composed entirely of actors with disabilities during a workshop held on the SPE studio lot in California.

In the film GOAT, an original action-comedy released by Sony Pictures Animation in February 2026, the loop group was brought in to perform background crowd voices and audience cheers. Set in a world inhabited entirely by animals, GOAT follows a protagonist who transforms his unique traits and differences into strengths. The loop group contributed to the film's dynamic arena atmosphere—from the energy of a packed stadium to the excitement of cheering crowds.

The creation of this loop group advances disability inclusion in film production by showcasing the talent of actors with disabilities, who have often been overlooked. It also helps expand career opportunities and offers a new model for more inclusive and authentic creative expression.

Sony Music Group (Japan) introduced new accessibility initiatives at the 2026 CENTRAL MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT FESTIVAL, held in Yokohama, Japan in April, with the goal of creating an inclusive event where everyone can engage in entertainment and share emotional experiences.

The first initiative was a live audio guide with the technical cooperation of Sony Corporation, a system for people with visual disabilities, powered by Auracast™, a Bluetooth® audio technology. Introduced as a pilot program for invited guests, this experience allowed users to enjoy the immersive sound of live performances while receiving real-time audio descriptions of the venue, stage performances, and production through Sony wireless headphones enabled with Auracast. This made it possible for people with visual disabilities to fully experience the performance and shared energy of the live concert.

The second initiative was the pilot of a Live Viewing Calming Booth***, designed for individuals with sensory sensitivities or those who find crowded environments challenging. As the first phase of a demonstration experiment aimed at enabling new viewing options without interrupting the entertainment experience, invited participants, including individuals with lived experience of sensory sensitivities and related experts, took part in trial sessions. In addition, sensory-adjustment items such as earmuffs to reduce ambient noise were made available as artist merchandise, and a prototype sensory bag was made available for on-site use to invited participants to support a more comfortable live experience.

Furthermore, the free-admission event featuring comedians signed to Sony Music Artists Inc., included real-time captioning, partial sign language interpretation, and audio guides to support a more inclusive experience.

Moving forward, Sony will continue to practice inclusive design and advance accessibility, unleashing the creativity of diverse creators and working toward a world where infinite realities, entertainment, and Kando continue to emerge.