PRESS RELEASE
Kaiser Permanente has been named a ‘top-scoring company’ on the Disability Equality Index (DEI) by the U.S. Business Leadership Network (USBLN) and theAmerican Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD). Kaiser Permanente received a high score of 80 percent, earning the ‘top-scoring’ distinction and recognition as one of the DEI Best Places to Work.
The survey assesses companies in four major categories: 1) culture and leadership, 2) enterprise-wide access, 3) employment practices and 4) community engagement and support services. Each participating company receives a score on a scale of zero to 100 percent that evaluates their disability inclusion policies and practices.
“The Disability Equality Index survey assesses participating companies in four critical areas in which inclusive companies should and must excel,” said Ronald L. Copeland, MD, FACS, senior vice president and chief Diversity and Inclusion officer at Kaiser Permanente. “Our designation as a ‘top-scoring company’ recognizes our commitment to creating and maintaining effective inclusion policies and practices that support all of our employees. We can build on this recognition by further improving and strengthening our efforts, to ensure our workplace is truly open and accessible to all.”
Kaiser Permanente has participated in the DEI each year since it was established in 2014. Creators of the survey sought not only to assist companies in identifying opportunities for improvement but also to help companies build their reputations as employers of choice.
“Kaiser Permanente has a rich history of recruiting and developing innovative approaches to maximize the skills, knowledge and unique abilities of our diverse employees,” saidChuck Columbus, senior vice president and chief Human Resources officer at Kaiser Permanente. “We have a responsibility to foster a workplace environment where each employee is valued for their contributions and commitment to the work they do every day to improve the health of our more than 10.6 million members and the communities we serve. Having a diverse and inclusive workforce reflects who we are as a company, enhances our innovation, and will determine our success in the future.”
Kaiser Permanente is involved in several efforts to support people with disabilities, including:
- KPability is a multicultural business resource group that focuses on individuals with disabilities, empowering employees to optimize their talents and achieve their goals.
- In March of this year, Kaiser Permanente launched a disability recruitment micrositethat seeks to minimize barriers often faced by job seekers with disabilities.
- Kaiser Permanente’s new disability recruitment leader is focused on making Kaiser Permanente an employer of choice for people with disabilities.
- Throughout the year and across the nation, Kaiser Permanente recruitment teams participate in hiring events supporting people with disabilities.
About DEI
The DEI is a joint initiative of the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) and the US Business Leadership Network (USBLN). Developed by the DEI Advisory Committee, a diverse group of business leaders, policy experts, and disability advocates, the DEI is a national, transparent benchmarking tool that offers businesses an opportunity to receive a score on a scale of zero to 100%, on their disability inclusion policies and practices.
For more information about the Disability Equality Index 2016, visit the survey results page.
