“When most people think of DEI (Disability Equality Index [1] ) , they think of race, religion, or sexual orientation. But businesses that are truly committed to overcoming bias within their organizations don’t stop there. They go beyond that to include older workers, employees with unique viewpoints and most importantly, they actively recruit from a candidate pool that includes people with disabilities. These organizations also recognize that different types of disabilities, whether physical or developmental, require thoughtful consideration about how to best accommodate an individual’s unique needs and ensure they feel valued.” [2]
“And while hiring people with disabilities is the right thing to do, it ultimately makes businesses stronger. A study conducted by Accenture found that organizations prioritizing accessibility had 28 percent higher revenue, and people with disabilities represent the third-largest market segment in the United States.” [2]
What does it mean to be disability-inclusive?
“There are numerous characteristics associated with disability-inclusive organizations. What is often surprising to employers is that most inclusion practices geared toward employees and job seekers with disabilities have the added bonus of benefiting everyone.” [3]
7 Companies that lead in disability inclusion
Due to their diligence and initiatives, all of the companies on this list won a spot on the list of the Best Places to Work for Disability Inclusion by the Disability Equality Index for their efforts to create an accessible workplace.
These organizations have realized for their efforts to succeed they must take steps to increase the empathy of their employees. One way of doing this is by helping them understand the obstacles that their disabled colleagues.
Disabled people are an important part of a diverse workforce, bringing creativity, innovation, problem solving, and commitment to the workplace.
By placing disability inclusion at the heart of workplace and cultural design, employers can help empower all team members to fully participate on the job and in society.
Resources
[1] https://disabilityin.org/what-we-do/disability-equality-index
[2] https://www.bctpartners.com/post/disability-inclusion-five-companies-leading-the-way
[3] https://askearn.org/page/disability-inclusion-in-the-workplace
[4] https://www.flexjobs.com/blog/post/companies-with-initiatives-professionals-with-disabilities/
[5] https://www.bctpartners.com/post/disability-inclusion-five-companies-leading-the-way
[6] https://www.shegeeksout.com/articles/five-companies-working-toward-disability-inclusion/