Groundbreaking research from Accenture, Disability:IN and the American Association of People with Disabilities confirms companies that invest in disability inclusion outperform their peers

New York, NY, Oct. 29, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Disability:IN along with partners, Accenture and the American Association of People with Disabilities, are proud to reveal there is a positive correlation between how inclusive a company is of persons with disabilities and its financial performance. This insight comes from Accenture’s analysis of leading and the most improved companies for disability inclusion from the Disability Equality Index (DEI) over the past four years, provided in the report “Getting to Equal: The Disability Inclusion Advantage”.

To celebrate and raise awareness of this groundbreaking report, Disability:IN and corporate partners will ring the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange on Monday, October 29th, following a business leadership event hosted by Voya Financial and the New York Stock Exchange. The event will include invited speakers like Senator Ted Kennedy, Jr., New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli, New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer, and Voya CEO and Chairman, Rodney Martin.

“Getting to Equal: The Disability Inclusion Advantage” is the first report that quantifies the return on investment of disability inclusion. At the event, General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer Chad Jerdee will present main insights from the report.

“The Disability Equality Index (DEI) has quickly emerged as the nation’s most trusted tool to evaluate business disability inclusion,” said Jill Houghton, President and CEO of Disability:IN. “This research further validates that those companies that take the DEI and have improved their inclusion of people with disabilities over time are four times more likely to have total shareholder returns that outperform their peers.”

This report comes at a time where business is asked to make the business case for various diversity and inclusion efforts. Among the financial returns, the report also states many best practices companies can follow as they advance disability inclusion across the enterprise.

“Disability is a strength and hiring talent with disabilities simply makes any company better. The results of this study validate that belief and we hope that the data helps more companies recognize that hiring people with disabilities can truly be a differentiator and impact their bottom line,” said Jenny Lay-Flurrie, Chief Accessibility Officer of Microsoft.

“Getting to Equal: The Disability Inclusion Advantage” and the Disability Equality Index are resources to help business advance disability inclusion. If just 1% of talent with disabilities joined the labor force, then the U.S. GDP could get a boost of up to US$25 billion.

"This new research not only reinforces hiring people with disabilities as the right thing to do, but also demonstrates a measurable connection to both top and bottom line financial performance,” says David Casey, Chief Diversity Officer of CVS Health and DEI Advisory Committee Co-Chair. “No matter where your organization is on the journey of tapping into the pool of 10.7 million unemployed people with disabilities, this research also provides a benchmark and roadmap for those making annual improvements as well as those considered top performers. Another proof point that the Disability Equality Index is more than a score.”

Registration is now open for companies to participate in the Disability Equality Index. Register at www.disabilityequalityindex.org.

Media inquiries can be sent to Brian Horn, Disability:IN Executive Vice President, Operations at brian@disabilityin.org

About Disability:IN
Disability:IN, formerly known as the US Business Leadership Network, is the leading nonprofit resource for business disability inclusion worldwide. Partnering with more than 160 corporations, Disability:IN expands opportunities for people with disabilities across enterprises. The organization and 50 affiliates raise a collective voice of positive change for people with disabilities in business. Through its programs and services, Disability:IN empowers businesses to achieve disability inclusion and equality, with the goal of advancing inclusion to the point when the organization is no longer necessary.