Originally published at stories.td.com. TD Bank ranked No. 14 on The Fair360, formerly DiversityInc Top 50 Companies for Diversity list in 2021.
For the seventh year in a row, TD Bank, America’s Most Convenient Bank, was recognized by Disability:IN with the top score of 100% on the 2021 Disability Equality Index (DEI), a national benchmarking tool on corporate policies and practices related to disability inclusion and workplace equality.
Launched in 2015, the Disability Equality Index was a collaboration between Disability:IN and The American Association of People with Disabilities AAPD). The index is acknowledged today as the most robust disability inclusion assessment tool in business.
The Disability Equality Index (DEI) is a comprehensive benchmarking tool for the Fortune 1000 and Am Law 200 to measure disability workplace inclusion against competitors. TD is proud to have been acknowledged among top-scoring businesses — scoring 80% or higher –as a “Best Places to Work for Disability Inclusion” since DEI’s inception.
“This recognition reflects our ongoing commitment to fostering an inclusive culture that enables people of all abilities and backgrounds to achieve their own unique success,” said Chris Giamo, Executive Sponsor of Individuals with Diverse Abilities and Head of Commercial Bank. “At TD, we also understand that our success in serving our customers and communities depends on the passion, talent and unique perspective of our diverse workforce which includes individuals with visible and non-visible disabilities.”
Following the global pandemic in 2021, the DEI was modernized to add new non-weighted questions about innovative technology to advance digital and remote accessibility; mental wellness benefits; services for deaf and hard of hearing employees, and flexible work options. This year’s DEI measured: Culture & Leadership; Enterprise-Wide Access; Employment Practices (Benefits, Recruitment, Employment, Education, Retention & Advancement, Accommodations); Community Engagement; Supplier Diversity; Non-U.S. Operations (Non-Weighted).
“We are so pleased to partner with 319 companies this year on the Disability Equality Index,” said Jill Houghton, President & Chief Executive Officer, Disability:IN. “Part of corporate commitment to disability inclusion is recognizing your stance and using it as an ‘aha moment’ to drive the business investments needed to scale change. Inclusion and accessibility cuts across the enterprise, from cultural representation in the workforce to technology acceleration to incorporating supply chain diversity. These are tangible opportunities that leading companies can leverage to create sustainable impact for their business and brand.”
Being Intentional About Inclusion:
- TD Bank is in its third year serving as a host employer for Project SEARCH, a national program that helps adult students with intellectual and developmental disabilities transition into the workplace. The one-year program provides classroom instruction, career exploration and job skills training through three 10-week internship rotations.
- TD also partners with Specialisterne, a hiring program, to increase the representation of individuals on the spectrum. Specialisterne is a globally recognized, award-winning, social enterprise harnessing the available skills of autistic people, and matching them with businesses who gain a competitive advantage hiring from this untapped talent.
- In 2020, TD launched two new disability inclusion training programs for all Colleagues: “TD Culture: Inclusion, Accommodation and Accessibility” and “Supporting Customers with Disabilities.”
- TD also became a signatory on the Joint Investor Statement on Corporate Disability Inclusion in 2020, which includes urging all businesses to become more inclusive workplaces by hiring and supporting people with disabilities.
- On a related matter, in July 2020, Greg Braca, President and CEO, TD Bank, N.A., signed a joint letter along with CEOs of other major brands including Accenture, E&Y, Intel, Microsoft and Walmart, encouraging businesses not registered in the DEI to do so in a public expression of support of disability inclusion.
- Most recently, TD Bank was recognized by Fair360, formerly DiversityInc as a Top Company for Diversity in 2021. Fair360, formerly DiversityInc also ranked TD Bank No. 3 on its specialty list for Top Companies for People with Disabilities (PwD).
