Disability Equality Index Reveals 2021 "Best Places to Work for Disability Inclusion"

Disability Equality Index Reveals 2021 "Best Places to Work for Disability Inclusion"

Disability Equality Index report highlights industry trends and global insights

CHICAGO – (July 12, 2021) – The Disability Equality Index (DEI), the world’s most comprehensive annual benchmarking tool for disabilities in the workplace, facilitated by leading nonprofits Disability:IN and the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), has revealed this year’s top-scoring companies. RSM US LLP (RSM) – the nation’s leading provider of audit, tax and consulting services focused on the middle market – is among the 2021 list of “Best Places to Work for Disability Inclusion.”  

The DEI is a prominent benchmarking tool for the Fortune 1000 and America’s top 200 revenue grossing law firms (Am Law 200), and gauges their level of disability workplace inclusion. In its seventh official year, the DEI continues to see an increase in year-over-year participation, with 319 corporations, including 67 Fortune 100, 164 Fortune 500 and 180 Fortune 1000 using the DEI to benchmark their disability and inclusion efforts. Out of this year’s 319 participants, 272 companies received scores of 80 or higher, making them “Best Places to Work for Disability Inclusion.” (RSM received a score of 90.)

The 2021 DEI measured culture and leadership, enterprise-wide access, employment practices (benefits, recruitment, employment, education, retention and advancement, and accommodations), community engagement, supplier diversity and non-U.S. operations (non-weighted). Following the global pandemic, the DEI was modernized to add new non-weighted questions about innovative technology to advance digital and remote accessibility, mental wellness benefits services for the deaf and hard-of hearing, and flexible work options.

“The Disability Equality Index shines a spotlight on companies that believe they have a stake in creating a more equitable society for people with disabilities,” said Maria Town, president and CEO of AAPD. “It is a conduit for our work championing disability rights for the 60 million Americans with disabilities and knocking down barriers to employment, technology and healthcare. We’re thrilled to see the progress being made today.”

“Making the world inclusive for everyone is not only good for business but it’s simply the right thing to do,” said Ayana Martinez, a senior manager with RSM US LLP’s Washington National Tax team and national leader of the firm’s Abilities employee network group. “Studies show that companies that offer inclusive work environments for those with disabilities achieve an average of 28% higher revenue and 30% higher economic profit margins than their peers. Cultivating an inclusive workplace for everyone, regardless of their abilities or other differences, means that we’re able to take a wide variety of perspectives into consideration when developing solutions for our middle market clients. This leads to innovative solutions that help them succeed in an increasingly diverse and complex environment. We are honored to be recognized for our focus on inclusion by being named to the 2021 ‘Best Places to Work for Disability Inclusion!’”   

“Making the world inclusive for everyone is not only good for business but it’s simply the right thing to do,” said Ayana Martinez, a senior manager with RSM US LLP’s Washington National Tax team and national leader of the firm’s Abilities employee network group. “Studies show that companies that offer inclusive work environments for those with disabilities achieve an average of 28% higher revenue and 30% higher economic profit margins than their peers. Cultivating an inclusive workplace for everyone, regardless of their abilities or other differences, means that we’re able to take a wide variety of perspectives into consideration when developing solutions for our middle market clients. This leads to innovative solutions that help them succeed in an increasingly diverse and complex environment. We are honored to be recognized for our focus on inclusion by being named to the 2021 ‘Best Places to Work for Disability Inclusion!’”

About the Disability Equality Index®
The Disability Equality Index (DEI) is a comprehensive benchmarking tool that helps companies build a roadmap of measurable, tangible actions that they can take to achieve disability inclusion and equality. Each company receives a score, on a scale of zero (0) to 100, with those earning 80 and above recognized as a “Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion.”

The DEI is a joint initiative of the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), the nation’s largest disability rights organization, and Disability:IN, the global business disability inclusion network, to collectively advance the inclusion of people with disabilities. The organizations are complementary and bring unique strengths that make the project relevant and credible to corporations and the disability community. The tool was developed by the DEI Advisory Committee, a diverse group of business leaders, policy experts and disability advocates. Learn more at: www.DisabilityEqualityIndex.org.

About the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD)
AAPD is a convener, connector and catalyst for change, increasing the political and economic power for people with disabilities. As a national cross-disability rights organization AAPD advocates for full civil rights for the 50+ million Americans with disabilities. Learn more at: www.aapd.com.

About Disability:IN®
Disability:IN is a global organization driving disability inclusion and equality in business. More than 270 corporations trust Disability:IN to activate and achieve disability inclusion across their enterprise and in the broader corporate mainstream. Through the world’s most comprehensive disability inclusion benchmarking; best-in-class conferences and programs; and expert counsel and engagement, Disability:IN works with leading businesses to create long-term business and societal impact. Join us at disabilityin.org/AreYouIN #AreYouIN.