Corporate America is increasingly working to include people with disabilities with a new report finding that a growing number of companies are actively recruiting from this population.
In a survey of 110 companies that collectively account for 5 percent of the nation’s workforce, 95 percent reported that they have recruitment efforts in place specifically aimed at hiring people with disabilities.
That’s an increase of 11 percentage points since 2014.
The finding is part of the 2017 Disability Equality Index, an annual report from the American Association of People with Disabilities and the U.S. Business Leadership Network released this week.
Corporations choose to self-report their disability policies and practices for the index, which scores each business on their efforts at disability inclusion.
Since a pilot survey was first conducted in 2013-2014, the number of companies participating has more than doubled. This year’s index includes businesses from 21 industries including companies like Starbucks, Walgreens, AT&T, Microsoft, Boeing, Aetna and Bank of America.
Of the 110 companies that were scored, 68 received the highest rating of 100.
Overall, the report found that 88 percent of the employers had a disability-focused resource group or organization and 86 percent had a senior executive working to champion or sponsor the effort.
Still the report noted that only about half of companies recognize disability in their supplier diversity programs. And, many businesses have room for improvement in ensuring that potential employees are offered interview accommodations and that both internal and external websites are accessible, the index found.
“On the heels of the 27th anniversary of the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act, we should celebrate our achievements but also reflect on the fact that employment outcomes for Americans with disabilities have remained unchanged,” said Helena Berger, president and CEO of AAPD. “Working together, we can help ensure no one is left behind or unable to pursue their dream because of a disability.”