diff --git a/button/internal/button.ts b/button/internal/button.ts
index 7037f80b92..bbde5f8c02 100644
--- a/button/internal/button.ts
+++ b/button/internal/button.ts
@@ -51,6 +51,16 @@ export abstract class Button extends buttonBaseClass implements FormSubmitter {
    */
   @property({type: Boolean, reflect: true}) disabled = false;
 
+  /**
+   * When true, allows disabled buttons to be focused.
+   *
+   * Add this when a button needs increased visibility when disabled. See
+   * https://www.w3.org/WAI/ARIA/apg/practices/keyboard-interface/#kbd_disabled_controls
+   * for more guidance on when this is needed.
+   */
+  @property({type: Boolean, attribute: 'always-focusable'})
+  alwaysFocusable = false;
+
   /**
    * The URL that the link button points to.
    */
@@ -154,7 +164,8 @@ export abstract class Button extends buttonBaseClass implements FormSubmitter {
     return html`<button
       id="button"
       class="button"
-      ?disabled=${this.disabled}
+      ?disabled=${this.disabled && !this.alwaysFocusable}
+      aria-disabled=${this.disabled && this.alwaysFocusable ? 'true' : nothing}
       aria-label="${ariaLabel || nothing}"
       aria-haspopup="${ariaHasPopup || nothing}"
       aria-expanded="${ariaExpanded || nothing}">
diff --git a/button/internal/button_test.ts b/button/internal/button_test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..5e7d396885
--- /dev/null
+++ b/button/internal/button_test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,71 @@
+/**
+ * @license
+ * Copyright 2023 Google LLC
+ * SPDX-License-Identifier: Apache-2.0
+ */
+
+// import 'jasmine'; (google3-only)
+
+import {html} from 'lit';
+import {customElement} from 'lit/decorators.js';
+
+import {Environment} from '../../testing/environment.js';
+import {ButtonHarness} from '../harness.js';
+
+import {Button} from './button.js';
+
+@customElement('test-button')
+class TestButton extends Button {}
+
+describe('Button', () => {
+  const env = new Environment();
+
+  async function setupTest() {
+    const button = new TestButton();
+    env.render(html`${button}`);
+    await env.waitForStability();
+    return {button, harness: new ButtonHarness(button)};
+  }
+
+  it('should not be focusable when disabled', async () => {
+    const {button} = await setupTest();
+    button.disabled = true;
+    await env.waitForStability();
+
+    button.focus();
+    expect(document.activeElement).toEqual(document.body);
+  });
+
+  it('should be focusable when disabled and alwaysFocusable', async () => {
+    const {button} = await setupTest();
+    button.disabled = true;
+    button.alwaysFocusable = true;
+    await env.waitForStability();
+
+    button.focus();
+    expect(document.activeElement).toEqual(button);
+  });
+
+  it('should not be clickable when disabled', async () => {
+    const clickListener = jasmine.createSpy('clickListener');
+    const {button} = await setupTest();
+    button.disabled = true;
+    button.addEventListener('click', clickListener);
+    await env.waitForStability();
+
+    button.click();
+    expect(clickListener).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+  });
+
+  it('should not be clickable when disabled and alwaysFocusable', async () => {
+    const clickListener = jasmine.createSpy('clickListener');
+    const {button} = await setupTest();
+    button.disabled = true;
+    button.alwaysFocusable = true;
+    button.addEventListener('click', clickListener);
+    await env.waitForStability();
+
+    button.click();
+    expect(clickListener).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+  });
+});
diff --git a/docs/components/button.md b/docs/components/button.md
index 2db15a1c2a..f409d73e05 100644
--- a/docs/components/button.md
+++ b/docs/components/button.md
@@ -236,6 +236,28 @@ attribute to buttons whose labels need a more descriptive label.
 <md-elevated-button aria-label="Add a new contact">Add</md-elevated-button>
 ```
 
+### Focusable and disabled
+
+By default, disabled buttons are not focusable with the keyboard. Some use cases
+encourage focusability of disabled toolbar items to increase their
+discoverability.
+
+See the
+[ARIA guidelines on focusability of disabled controls](https://www.w3.org/WAI/ARIA/apg/practices/keyboard-interface/#kbd_disabled_controls)<!-- {.external} -->
+for guidance on when this is recommended.
+
+```html
+<div role="toolbar">
+  <md-text-button>Copy</md-text-button>
+  <md-text-button>Cut</md-text-button>
+  <!--
+    This button is disabled, but kept focusable to improve its discoverability
+    in the toolbar.
+  -->
+  <md-text-button disabled always-focusable>Paste</md-text-button>
+</div>
+```
+
 ## Elevated button
 
 <!-- go/md-elevated-button -->
@@ -703,7 +725,6 @@ Token                               | Default value
 
 ## API
 
-
 ### MdElevatedButton <code>&lt;md-elevated-button&gt;</code>
 
 #### Properties
@@ -713,6 +734,7 @@ Token                               | Default value
 | Property | Attribute | Type | Default | Description |
 | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
 | `disabled` | `disabled` | `boolean` | `false` | Whether or not the button is disabled. |
+| `alwaysFocusable` | `always-focusable` | `boolean` | `false` | Whether the button is still focusable when disabled. |
 | `href` | `href` | `string` | `''` | The URL that the link button points to. |
 | `target` | `target` | `string` | `''` | Where to display the linked `href` URL for a link button. Common options include `_blank` to open in a new tab. |
 | `trailingIcon` | `trailing-icon` | `boolean` | `false` | Whether to render the icon at the inline end of the label rather than the inline start.<br>_Note:_ Link buttons cannot have trailing icons. |
diff --git a/iconbutton/internal/_filled-icon-button.scss b/iconbutton/internal/_filled-icon-button.scss
index 7293798c27..f8737a3b4a 100644
--- a/iconbutton/internal/_filled-icon-button.scss
+++ b/iconbutton/internal/_filled-icon-button.scss
@@ -53,7 +53,8 @@
       color: var(--_pressed-icon-color);
     }
 
-    &:disabled {
+    &:disabled,
+    &[aria-disabled='true'] {
       color: var(--_disabled-icon-color);
     }
 
@@ -77,17 +78,19 @@
     z-index: -1; // place behind content
   }
 
-  .icon-button:disabled::before {
+  .icon-button:disabled::before,
+  .icon-button[aria-disabled='true']::before {
     background-color: var(--_disabled-container-color);
     opacity: var(--_disabled-container-opacity);
   }
 
-  .icon-button:disabled .icon {
+  .icon-button:disabled .icon,
+  .icon-button[aria-disabled='true'] .icon {
     opacity: var(--_disabled-icon-opacity);
   }
 
   .toggle-filled {
-    &:not(:disabled) {
+    &:not(:disabled, [aria-disabled='true']) {
       color: var(--_toggle-icon-color);
 
       &:hover {
@@ -111,14 +114,14 @@
     );
   }
 
-  .toggle-filled:not(:disabled)::before {
+  .toggle-filled:not(:disabled, [aria-disabled='true'])::before {
     // Note: filled icon buttons have three container colors,
     // "container-color" for regular, then selected/unselected for toggle.
     background-color: var(--_unselected-container-color);
   }
 
   .selected {
-    &:not(:disabled) {
+    &:not(:disabled, [aria-disabled='true']) {
       color: var(--_toggle-selected-icon-color);
 
       &:hover {
@@ -142,7 +145,7 @@
     );
   }
 
-  .selected:not(:disabled)::before {
+  .selected:not(:disabled, [aria-disabled='true'])::before {
     background-color: var(--_selected-container-color);
   }
 }
diff --git a/iconbutton/internal/_filled-tonal-icon-button.scss b/iconbutton/internal/_filled-tonal-icon-button.scss
index e50c65b065..01d401351f 100644
--- a/iconbutton/internal/_filled-tonal-icon-button.scss
+++ b/iconbutton/internal/_filled-tonal-icon-button.scss
@@ -55,7 +55,8 @@ $_custom-property-prefix: 'filled-tonal-icon-button';
       color: var(--_pressed-icon-color);
     }
 
-    &:disabled {
+    &:disabled,
+    &[aria-disabled='true'] {
       color: var(--_disabled-icon-color);
     }
 
@@ -79,17 +80,19 @@ $_custom-property-prefix: 'filled-tonal-icon-button';
     z-index: -1; // place behind content
   }
 
-  .icon-button:disabled::before {
+  .icon-button:disabled::before,
+  .icon-button[aria-disabled='true']::before {
     background-color: var(--_disabled-container-color);
     opacity: var(--_disabled-container-opacity);
   }
 
-  .icon-button:disabled .icon {
+  .icon-button:disabled .icon,
+  .icon-button[aria-disabled='true'] .icon {
     opacity: var(--_disabled-icon-opacity);
   }
 
   .toggle-filled-tonal {
-    &:not(:disabled) {
+    &:not(:disabled, [aria-disabled='true']) {
       color: var(--_toggle-icon-color);
 
       &:hover {
@@ -113,14 +116,14 @@ $_custom-property-prefix: 'filled-tonal-icon-button';
     );
   }
 
-  .toggle-filled-tonal:not(:disabled)::before {
+  .toggle-filled-tonal:not(:disabled, [aria-disabled='true'])::before {
     // Note: filled tonal icon buttons have three container colors,
     // "container-color" for regular, then selected/unselected for toggle.
     background-color: var(--_unselected-container-color);
   }
 
   .selected {
-    &:not(:disabled) {
+    &:not(:disabled, [aria-disabled='true']) {
       color: var(--_toggle-selected-icon-color);
 
       &:hover {
@@ -144,7 +147,7 @@ $_custom-property-prefix: 'filled-tonal-icon-button';
     );
   }
 
-  .selected:not(:disabled)::before {
+  .selected:not(:disabled, [aria-disabled='true'])::before {
     background-color: var(--_selected-container-color);
   }
 }
diff --git a/iconbutton/internal/_icon-button.scss b/iconbutton/internal/_icon-button.scss
index 433a11de27..fe24869bea 100644
--- a/iconbutton/internal/_icon-button.scss
+++ b/iconbutton/internal/_icon-button.scss
@@ -91,7 +91,8 @@
       color: var(--_pressed-icon-color);
     }
 
-    &:disabled {
+    &:disabled,
+    &[aria-disabled='true'] {
       color: var(--_disabled-icon-color);
     }
   }
@@ -100,12 +101,13 @@
     border-radius: var(--_state-layer-shape);
   }
 
-  .standard:disabled .icon {
+  .standard:disabled .icon,
+  .standard[aria-disabled='true'] .icon {
     opacity: var(--_disabled-icon-opacity);
   }
 
   .selected {
-    &:not(:disabled) {
+    &:not(:disabled, [aria-disabled='true']) {
       color: var(--_selected-icon-color);
 
       &:hover {
diff --git a/iconbutton/internal/_outlined-icon-button.scss b/iconbutton/internal/_outlined-icon-button.scss
index 0ecc5f4c59..295fcc8027 100644
--- a/iconbutton/internal/_outlined-icon-button.scss
+++ b/iconbutton/internal/_outlined-icon-button.scss
@@ -69,7 +69,8 @@
       color: var(--_pressed-icon-color);
     }
 
-    &:disabled {
+    &:disabled,
+    &[aria-disabled='true'] {
       color: var(--_disabled-icon-color);
 
       &::before {
@@ -79,7 +80,8 @@
     }
   }
 
-  .outlined:disabled .icon {
+  .outlined:disabled .icon,
+  .outlined[aria-disabled='true'] .icon {
     opacity: var(--_disabled-icon-opacity);
   }
 
@@ -103,7 +105,7 @@
 
   // Selected icon button toggle.
   .selected {
-    &:not(:disabled) {
+    &:not(:disabled, [aria-disabled='true']) {
       color: var(--_selected-icon-color);
 
       &:hover {
@@ -129,11 +131,12 @@
     );
   }
 
-  .selected:not(:disabled)::before {
+  .selected:not(:disabled, [aria-disabled='true'])::before {
     background-color: var(--_selected-container-color);
   }
 
-  .selected:disabled::before {
+  .selected:disabled::before,
+  .selected[aria-disabled='true']::before {
     background-color: var(--_disabled-selected-container-color);
     opacity: var(--_disabled-selected-container-opacity);
   }
@@ -150,7 +153,8 @@
         border-width: var(--_outline-width);
       }
 
-      &:disabled::before {
+      &:disabled::before,
+      &[aria-disabled='true']::before {
         border-color: GrayText;
         opacity: 1;
       }
diff --git a/iconbutton/internal/icon-button.ts b/iconbutton/internal/icon-button.ts
index 9a23674922..65b9791c6e 100644
--- a/iconbutton/internal/icon-button.ts
+++ b/iconbutton/internal/icon-button.ts
@@ -58,6 +58,16 @@ export class IconButton extends iconButtonBaseClass implements FormSubmitter {
    */
   @property({type: Boolean, reflect: true}) disabled = false;
 
+  /**
+   * When true, allows disabled buttons to be focused.
+   *
+   * Add this when a button needs increased visibility when disabled. See
+   * https://www.w3.org/WAI/ARIA/apg/practices/keyboard-interface/#kbd_disabled_controls
+   * for more guidance on when this is needed.
+   */
+  @property({type: Boolean, attribute: 'always-focusable'})
+  alwaysFocusable = false;
+
   /**
    * Flips the icon if it is in an RTL context at startup.
    */
@@ -156,7 +166,8 @@ export class IconButton extends iconButtonBaseClass implements FormSubmitter {
         aria-haspopup="${(!this.href && ariaHasPopup) || nothing}"
         aria-expanded="${(!this.href && ariaExpanded) || nothing}"
         aria-pressed="${ariaPressedValue}"
-        ?disabled="${!this.href && this.disabled}"
+        aria-disabled=${!this.href && this.disabled && this.alwaysFocusable ? 'true' : nothing}
+        ?disabled=${!this.href && this.disabled && !this.alwaysFocusable}
         @click="${this.handleClick}">
         ${this.renderFocusRing()}
         ${this.renderRipple()}
diff --git a/iconbutton/internal/icon-button_test.ts b/iconbutton/internal/icon-button_test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..223801fb2a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/iconbutton/internal/icon-button_test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,71 @@
+/**
+ * @license
+ * Copyright 2023 Google LLC
+ * SPDX-License-Identifier: Apache-2.0
+ */
+
+// import 'jasmine'; (google3-only)
+
+import {html} from 'lit';
+import {customElement} from 'lit/decorators.js';
+
+import {Environment} from '../../testing/environment.js';
+import {IconButtonHarness} from '../harness.js';
+
+import {IconButton} from './icon-button.js';
+
+@customElement('test-icon-button')
+class TestIconButton extends IconButton {}
+
+describe('IconButton', () => {
+  const env = new Environment();
+
+  async function setupTest() {
+    const iconButton = new TestIconButton();
+    env.render(html`${iconButton}`);
+    await env.waitForStability();
+    return {iconButton, harness: new IconButtonHarness(iconButton)};
+  }
+
+  it('should not be focusable when disabled', async () => {
+    const {iconButton} = await setupTest();
+    iconButton.disabled = true;
+    await env.waitForStability();
+
+    iconButton.focus();
+    expect(document.activeElement).toEqual(document.body);
+  });
+
+  it('should be focusable when disabled and alwaysFocusable', async () => {
+    const {iconButton} = await setupTest();
+    iconButton.disabled = true;
+    iconButton.alwaysFocusable = true;
+    await env.waitForStability();
+
+    iconButton.focus();
+    expect(document.activeElement).toEqual(iconButton);
+  });
+
+  it('should not be clickable when disabled', async () => {
+    const clickListener = jasmine.createSpy('clickListener');
+    const {iconButton} = await setupTest();
+    iconButton.disabled = true;
+    iconButton.addEventListener('click', clickListener);
+    await env.waitForStability();
+
+    iconButton.click();
+    expect(clickListener).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+  });
+
+  it('should not be clickable when disabled and alwaysFocusable', async () => {
+    const clickListener = jasmine.createSpy('clickListener');
+    const {iconButton} = await setupTest();
+    iconButton.disabled = true;
+    iconButton.alwaysFocusable = true;
+    iconButton.addEventListener('click', clickListener);
+    await env.waitForStability();
+
+    iconButton.click();
+    expect(clickListener).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+  });
+});