Grant Thornton named a 2019 “Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion”

Grant Thornton earns first-time spot on the Disability Equality Index

CHICAGO — Grant Thornton was named to the 2019 Disability Equality Index (DEI), a joint initiative of Disability:IN and the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD). The DEI, embraced by both business leaders and disability advocates, is the nation’s most comprehensive annual benchmarking tool allowing America’s leading corporations to self-report their disability policies and practices.

Top-scoring businesses on the index – those scoring 80% or higher – were also recognized as “Best Places to Work for Disability Inclusion.” Grant Thornton joins the ranks of more than 150 major U.S. businesses to receive the designation.

“We are honored to be recognized as a 'Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion' for the first time," said Brenda Wagner, chief people and culture officer at Grant Thornton. “Bringing together diverse abilities ensures our teammates are respected and valued, and our clients benefit from their unique perspectives and capabilities.”

The 2019 DEI measured criteria including: Culture & Leadership; Enterprise-Wide Access; Employment Practices (Benefits, Recruitment, Employment, Education, Retention & Advancement, and Accommodations); Community Engagement; and Supplier Diversity.

Grant Thornton has a company-wide written statement of commitment to diversity and inclusion that specifically mentions disability. Also, the firm has a disability-focused business resource group, Diverse Abilities and Allies, which was formed five years ago.

“The DEI helps companies measure their own progress on disability inclusion and challenges them to improve their policies and practices – not just because it’s the right thing to do, but also because it’s also good for business,” said Ted Kennedy, Jr., disability rights attorney and board chair of AAPD.

For more information on the 2019 DEI Report, visit DisabilityIN.org/DEIReport2019.

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