Shepherd Center Once Again Recognized by Disability Equality Index® as Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion
Hospital is a top scorer for disability inclusion in the workplace.
Shepherd Center has once again been named a “Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion” by the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) and Disability:IN. Shepherd Center is a top scorer, having earned a score of 100 out of a possible 100 on the Disability Equality Index® (DEI), the world’s most comprehensive benchmarking tool for Fortune 1000 scope companies to measure disability workplace inclusion inside their organization and to assess performance across industry sectors.
By completing the Disability Equality Index, companies demonstrate stakeholder commitment to disability inclusion and equality, as well as broader social issues, and enhance their reputation.
“At Shepherd Center, we strive to ensure our hospital is an accessible, inclusive environment for people with disabilities, including our patients, visitors, and staff members,” said Sarah Morrison, PT, MBA, MHA, CEO of Shepherd Center. “This recognition shows we’re on the right path, and we will continue to make Shepherd a place where people with disabilities can freely share their perspectives, needs, and talents while advancing in their careers.”
For nearly 50 years, Shepherd Center has been on a mission to advocate for the full inclusion of people with disabilities in all aspects of community life.
Among other initiatives, Shepherd Center shows our commitment to disability inclusion by:
- Monitoring local and federal legislation and upcoming issues that are expected to impact the disability community.
- Implementing recruitment and hiring practices that are inclusive of people with disabilities.
- Sponsoring an active organization-wide Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Council.
- Growing efforts to increase accessibility in print and digital content and remediate any issues that could inhibit accessibility for people with disabilities.
- Creating and sharing content that celebrates inclusion and accessibility.
"On the 10th anniversary of the Disability Equality Index, we’re extremely proud of the 542 national and international companies that are taking a proactive role in leading progress towards disability inclusion, setting a benchmark for others to follow. Their dedication to fostering inclusive workplaces not only attracts top talent but also drives innovation and creates sustainable performance in today's global market. Together, we are creating a future where everyone can contribute and thrive,” said Jill Houghton, president and CEO of Disability:IN.
In 2024, Shepherd Center is one of only a few hospitals to receive a score of 100. 542 total corporations utilized the Disability Equality Index to benchmark their disability inclusion efforts.
The 2024 Disability Equality Index measured:
· Culture & Leadership
· Enterprise-Wide Access
· Employment Practices (Benefits; Recruitment; Employment, Education, Retention and Advancement; Accommodations)
· Community Engagement
· Supplier Diversity
· Responsible Procurement (Non-Weighted).
Globally, people with disabilities represent 1.3 billion individuals. 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 other demographics.
You can view the entire Disability Equality Index here.
With five decades of experience, Shepherd Center provides world-class clinical care, research, and family support for people experiencing the most complex conditions, including spinal cord and brain injuries, multi-trauma, traumatic amputations, stroke, multiple sclerosis, and pain. An elite center ranked by U.S. News as one of the nation’s top hospitals for rehabilitation, Shepherd Center is also recognized as both Spinal Cord Injury and Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems. Shepherd Center treats thousands of patients annually with unmatched expertise and unwavering compassion to help them begin again.
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