MIDLAND, Mich.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Dow Chemical Company has received the highest possible score on the 2018 Disability Equality Index® (DEI) for the second year in a row. The DEI survey, which is administered jointly by the US Business Leadership Network® (USBLN®) and the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), is the nation’s most trusted benchmarking tool for disability inclusion.
The survey measures key performance indicators across culture, leadership, accessibility, employment practices, community engagement, support services and supplier diversity. Participating companies self-reported their disability policies and practices, and were then scored on a scale from 0 to 100. Of the 145 companies that completed the survey, 91 received top marks.
“I am proud that Dow is recognized as a company that strives to be fully inclusive,” said Karen S. Carter, chief inclusion officer for Dow. “We have made significant strides in the past few years, and are working diligently to assure that we provide an environment where all people can thrive and succeed.”
“Dow’s top rating of 100 represents its commitment to continuously improving disability inclusion practices within the company,” said Peter Holicki, executive sponsor for Dow’s Disability Employee Network and senior vice president of Operations, Manufacturing & Engineering and EH&S Operations at Dow. “We know that inclusion is good for people, good for society and good for business. True inclusion will result in unprecedented success – from every perspective. Together, we can brighten each day for everyone. A self-governed and determined life, with solid self-confidence, is what we seek for all of our DEN members.”
As a result of its high score, Dow is recognized as being a “Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion” by USBLN®, further honoring its efforts in inclusive disability policies and practices.
About the Disability Equality Index®
The Disability Equality Index (DEI) serves as the nation’s most trusted annual benchmarking tool allowing America’s leading corporations to self-report their disability policies and practices. This evolving tool scores each corporation on a scale from 0 to 100, with top scorers (80 and above) recognized as “Best Places to Work for Disability Inclusion”. The DEI is a joint initiative between the US Business Leadership Network (USBLN) and the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD). The benchmark was developed by the two national leaders in consultation with the appointed DEI Advisory Committee, a diverse and voluntary group of experts in business, policy, and disability advocacy.
About the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD)
The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) is a convener, connector, and catalyst for change, increasing the political and economic power of people with disabilities. As a national cross-disability rights organization, AAPD advocates for full civil rights for the 56+ million Americans with disabilities.
About the US Business Leadership Network® (USBLN®)
USBLN® unites business around disability inclusion in the workplace, supply chain and marketplace. USBLN has more than 160 corporate partners spanning the technology, healthcare, financial, transportation, entertainment, and retail industries. USBLN serves as a collective voice of nearly 50 Business Leadership Network Affiliates across the United States, representing over 5,000 businesses. USBLN has various nationally recognized tools and programs, such as the Disability Equality Index and the leading disability-owned business enterprise (DOBE) certification program, to bridge inclusive companies with people and organizations within the disability community.
About Dow
The Dow Chemical Company (Dow) combines science and technology knowledge to develop premier materials science solutions that are essential to human progress. Dow has one of the strongest and broadest toolkits in the industry, with robust technology, asset integration, scale and competitive capabilities that enable it to address complex global issues. Dow’s market-driven, industry-leading portfolio of advanced materials, industrial intermediates, and plastics businesses deliver a broad range of differentiated technology-based products and solutions for customers in high-growth markets such as packaging, infrastructure, and consumer care. Dow is a subsidiary of DowDuPont (NYSE: DWDP), a holding company comprised of Dow and DuPont with the intent to form three strong, independent, publicly traded companies in agriculture, materials science and specialty sectors. More information can be found at www.dow.com.
