Spaulding Rehabilitation Recognized by the 2017 Disability Equality Index as a "Best Places to Work for Disability Inclusion"
Washington, D.C. – US Business Leadership Network (USBLN) and American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) today released the 2017 Disability Equality Index (DEI) – the third year measured by the Index. Among the record 68 employers recognized was the Boston based Spaulding Rehabilitation with a score of 90 on the index. Over 110 companies participated in the 2017 DEI, with results indicating where companies are excelling in their commitment to inclusive environmental, social, and governance policies. Companies received their recognitions at the USBLN 20 annual conference in Orlando.
“We applaud those companies that are advancing their disability inclusion efforts across the business,” said Jill Houghton, President and CEO of USBLN. “Taking the DEI is a step within the journey, backed with concrete data and insight. The release of this report, and the 68 leading companies, challenges other companies to fill in those critical gaps, and realize the possible results by being inclusive to people with disabilities, throughout the workforce, marketplace and supply-chain.”
"AAPD proudly recognizes this year's top DEI scorers," said Helena Berger, President and CEO of AAPD. On the heels of the 27th anniversary of the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act, we should all take a moment to celebrate our achievements but also reflect on the fact that employment outcomes for Americans with disabilities have remained unchanged. Employment is a pathway to the American Dream, and the DEI is an effective, non-punitive tool that builds partnerships between the disability and business communities to ultimately expand employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities and embrace the talents and skills we bring to the workplace. Working together, we can help ensure no one is left behind or unable to pursue their dream because of a disability."
The companies participating in the 2017 DEI represent 21 different sectors of the American economy, and have a total U.S. workforce of approximately 7.2 million workers—or approximately 5% of all American workers. In addition to their impact on the American workforce, these companies have a substantial financial impact on the American economy, with all publicly held corporations totaling representing nearly $6 trillion in market value.
This honor is incredibly meaningful to all of us at Spaulding. It validates our Network-wide commitment to diversity and speaks to our mission to be a leader in work force development for persons with disabilities. Work is empowering for all of us and whether you live with a disability or are re-entering the workforce as a returning veteran, you deserve an equal opportunity. We are so proud to be among the companies at the forefront who understand inclusion is more than the right thing to do; it’s good business,” said Oz Mondejar, Senior Vice President for Mission and Advocacy, Spaulding Rehabilitation.
The recognition of being a “Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion” is reserved for those companies that have scored 80 or above on the DEI. Read the full news release from the USBLN here.
About Spaulding Rehabilitation
A member of Partners HealthCare, Spaulding Rehabilitation includes Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, its main campus in Charlestown as well as Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital Cape Cod, Spaulding Hospital Cambridge and two skilled nursing facilities, as well as twenty-five outpatient sites throughout Eastern Massachusetts. In 2017, U.S. News & World Report named Spaulding as the #4 rehabilitation hospital in the nation. Spaulding is one of the few hospitals in the U.S. to be awarded the prestigious Model Systems designation in all three areas of care—Spinal Cord Injury, Traumatic Brain Injury, and Burn Injury—selected by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living and Rehabilitation Research. A teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School, Spaulding has been recognized for fostering the #1 residency program in the country for research output by Doximity Residency Navigator. For more information, please visit www.spauldingrehab.org.