Best Places to Work for Disability Inclusion

Firm earns third-straight top score of 100% on Disability Equality Index

CHICAGO — Grant Thornton LLP, one of America’s largest audit, tax and advisory firms, has earned a top score of 100% on the 2022 Disability Equality Index® (DEI). A joint initiative of Disability:IN and the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), the DEI is widely acknowledged as the most robust disability inclusion assessment tool in business.

Top-scoring businesses on the index — those scoring 80% or higher — were also recognized as “Best Places to Work for Disability Inclusion.” This marks the fourth consecutive year Grant Thornton has been named a best place to work for disability inclusion, and it’s the third year in a row the firm has earned the highest score possible.

“This tremendous honor is a testament to the way our colleagues embrace one another for exactly who we are,” said Rashada Whitehead, national managing director of Culture, Immersion & Inclusion at Grant Thornton. “Our firm will always give our professionals with visible and invisible disabilities the space, care and opportunity to bring their whole selves to work. We are grateful to Disability:IN and the AAPD for the vital work they do to foster inclusion.”

Other leaders at the firm joined Whitehead in lauding Disability:IN and the AAPD’s efforts while committing to true equity. Ken Cunningham is Grant Thornton’s chief legal officer and a sponsor of the firm’s disability-focused business resource group, Diverse Abilities & Allies.

“At Grant Thornton, we continually look for new ways to support our colleagues and cultivate a community that is responsive and dedicated to their professional and personal well-being,” Cunningham said. “The inclusion journey is never truly finished. We look forward to continuing this vital work with Disability:IN and the AAPD.”

In addition to helping guide the firm to its top score on the index, Grant Thornton CEO Brad Preber also signed the Disability:IN CEO Letter on Disability Inclusion. The letter’s goal is to advance equality and inclusion policies in corporate America.

“Disability inclusion is a rapidly expanding aspect of corporate culture, and it’s gratifying to partner with 415 companies on the 2022 Disability Equality Index,” said Jill Houghton, president and CEO of Disability:IN. “These top-scoring companies not only excel in disability inclusion, but many are also adopting emerging trends and pioneering measures that can move the disability agenda from accommodation to inclusion and, ultimately, genuine belonging."

The 2022 DEI measured a range of criteria, including culture and leadership; enterprise-wide access; community engagement; supplier diversity; and employment practices such as benefits, recruitment, education, retention, advancement and accommodations.

Maria Town, president and CEO of AAPD, said, "there is no single best way to practice disability inclusion, however, the companies taking the DEI share the desire to create a workplace that fosters the concept of bringing your whole self to the office. We look forward to working with all of the participants to help identify meaningful ways to build upon their current practices as we continue on the disability inclusion journey together."

For more information on the 2022 DEI Report, visit www.DisabilityEqualityIndex.org.

About Grant Thornton

“Grant Thornton” is the brand for two professional-services entities: Grant Thornton LLP, a licensed, certified public accounting (CPA) firm that provides audit and assurance services ― and Grant Thornton Advisors LLC (not a licensed CPA firm), which exclusively provides non-attest offerings, including tax and advisory services. With revenues of $2.4 billion for the fiscal year that ended July 31, 2023, and dozens of offices nationwide, Grant Thornton represents a community of almost 10,000 problem solvers, relationship builders, and industry specialists who know that how we serve matters as much as what we do.

Grant Thornton LLP, Grant Thornton Advisors LLC and their respective subsidiaries operate as an alternative practice structure (APS). The APS conforms with applicable laws, regulations and professional standards, including those from the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Grant Thornton LLP and Grant Thornton Advisors LLC serve as the U.S. member firms of the Grant Thornton International Ltd (GTIL) network. GTIL and its member firms are not a worldwide partnership and all member firms are separate legal entities. Member firms deliver all services; GTIL does not provide services to clients.

About the Disability Equality Index®

The Disability Equality Index (DEI) is a comprehensive benchmarking tool that helps companies build a roadmap of measurable, tangible actions that they can take to achieve disability inclusion and equality. 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.”

The DEI 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 DEI Advisory Committee, a diverse group of business leaders, policy experts, and disability advocates. Learn more at: www.DisabilityEqualityIndex.org.

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 400 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 (DEI); best-in-class conferences and programs; expert counsel and engagement; and public policy leadership. Join us at disabilityin.org/AreYouIN #AreYouIN.