Heralbony Selected for Forbes 'Accessibility 200', Recognized Globally for Leading Accessibility Innovation

On May 19, 2026, Heralbony Co., Ltd. announced its selection for the Forbes 'Accessibility 200' list. This list honors companies and organizations globally that are making significant impacts toward realizing a society where everyone can participate, regardless of disability. Heralbony was recognized for its commitment to viewing accessibility and inclusive design not as 'charity,' but as a means of creating new value and implementing it sustainably as a business. This selection is expected to boost international recognition of Heralbony's initiatives as a leading case study in the accessibility sector.

About Forbes Accessibility 200 The 'Forbes Accessibility 200' is an international list featuring 200 companies, organizations, and individuals making global impacts in wide-ranging accessibility fields, including communication, mobility, education, software, consumer products, robotics, sports, travel, workplace, and entertainment. The 2026 edition features entries from 24 countries across 6 continents. This marks the second year for the list, following the inaugural 'Accessibility 100' in 2025. Due to global acclaim, the number of selections was expanded from 100 to 200 for 2026. The selection process involved collaboration with a 12-member advisory board of global experts and was based on over 700 expert interviews.

Social Background of the List Forbes Assistant Managing Editor Alan Schwartz, who leads this initiative, stated, 'Accessibility is evolving beyond legal obligation into a growth area that generates innovation, social impact, and new profits,' highlighting that accessibility is gaining global attention as a critical theme in modern business and society.

Sustainable Business Model: Building Art as IP Licenses At the core of Heralbony's business model is the management and licensing of works by artists with disabilities as 'intellectual property (IP)' and the appropriate return of royalties. Rather than simple art sales or welfare support, the business promotes a system where the value of these works circulates within society and corporate activities. For compensation, instead of buying out copyrights, Heralbony enters into license agreements with the artists and their welfare facilities, paying royalties based on usage. This model was adopted in response to the challenge that 'artists with disabilities exist outside the traditional market demand for producing specific deliverables by deadlines.' By focusing on a licensing model that utilizes existing works rather than bespoke commissions, Heralbony aims to realize a system that respects the artists' creative pace while continuously connecting them to society.

The 'Artist First' Philosophy Since its inception, Heralbony has prioritized an 'Artist First' approach. The company requires the artist's explicit permission for every work and pays licensing fees for every use, rather than purchasing copyrights outright. This policy extends to international operations. Through its subsidiary, HERALBONY EUROPE, based in France, the company visits welfare facilities in countries including Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, and Spain, building partnerships through deep dialogue with each artist. Although this approach requires significant time and dialogue, Heralbony considers it an indispensable process for driving a business built on long-term relationships with artists and stakeholders.

Comment from Marie Oshioka, CEO of HERALBONY EUROPE 'I am truly honored that Heralbony has been selected for the Forbes 'Accessibility 200' by Forbes U.S. Attracting attention from Forbes, which sets the trends for the world, marks a significant milestone for Heralbony.'