For the fourth consecutive year, TDS has been recognized as one of the Best Places to Work for Disability Inclusion, earning an impressive score of 90 on the Disability Equality Index®.
“TDS is honored to be named among the Best Places to Work for Disability Inclusion for the fourth year in a row,” said Mindy Begenat, TDS Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Partner. “This recognition reflects our dedication to cultivating a culture of diversity, inclusion, equity, and belonging that is shared by all.”
The Disability Equality Index is a joint initiative between Disability:IN and the American Association for Persons with Disabilities (AAPD). It is the world’s most comprehensive benchmarking tool for companies and an objective assessment of their disability inclusion policies and practices. Each company receives a score, on a scale of zero (0) to 100, with those earning 80 and above recognized as a “Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion.”
For years, the Achieving a Better Life/Work Environment (ABLE) Associate Resource Group (ARG) has been central to TDS’ commitment to inclusivity. The ABLE ARG provides a support system for associates, enabling them to come together to create a more inclusive work environment for people with disabilities.
Earlier this year, ABLE partnered with the Women in Technology (WIT) ARG to host their very own Disabled Women in the Workplace webinar. Featuring keynote speaker Helen Rottier, program coordinator for the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Disability Cultural Center, this event educated attendees on policies and accommodations impacting this vulnerable, often overlooked demographic.
Across the globe, individuals with disabilities represent over one billion people. Disability is a natural part of the human experience, and it crosses lines of age, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, race, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, and religion. Join the ABLE ARG to learn more about some exciting events coming up in honor of National Disability Employment Awareness Month in October.
“Each year, this benchmark not only celebrates our progress related to disability inclusion, but highlights areas where we can continue to improve,” said Mindy. “The Disability Equality Index provides us a detailed breakdown of our individual scores in the benchmark, which is so useful in helping us continue to grow and improve.”
TDS has also made efforts to make its external properties more accessible to people with disabilities. TDS’ Digital Operations team has been hard at work modifying fonts, images, and text to enhance readability and usability. They also implemented a robot feature that can read content to the user.
Here is more information about the benchmarking tool:
The Disability Equality Index is a joint initiative of the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), the nation’s largest disability rights organization, and Disability:IN, the global business disability inclusion network, to collectively advance the inclusion of people with disabilities. The organizations are complementary and bring unique strengths that make the project relevant and credible to corporations and the disability community. The tool was developed by the Disability Equality Index Advisory Committee, a diverse group of business leaders, policy experts, and disability advocates. Learn more at: https://disabilityin.org/what-we-do/disability-equality-index/.
About the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD)
AAPD is a convener, connector, and catalyst for change, increasing the political and economic power for people with disabilities. As a national cross-disability rights organization AAPD advocates for full civil rights for the 60+ million Americans with disabilities. Learn more at: www.aapd.com.
About Disability:IN®
Disability:IN is a global organization driving disability inclusion and equality in business. More than 500 corporations partner with Disability:IN to create long-term business and social impact through the world’s most comprehensive disability inclusion benchmarking and reporting tool, the Disability Equality Index; best-in-class conferences and programs; expert counsel and engagement; and public policy leadership. Join us at www.disabilityin.org.
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