PHILADELPHIA – Aramark (NYSE:ARMK), a global leader in food, facilities management and uniforms, was named one of the “Best Places to Work for Disability Inclusion,” for the third year in a row, by the 2019 Disability Equality Index (DEI), with a top-score of 100%.
The DEI is a joint initiative of Disability:IN and the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), and is acknowledged as the most comprehensive disability inclusion assessment tool designed and embraced by both business leaders and disability advocates.
First launched in 2015, the DEI gives businesses the tools needed to analyze their environment, identify opportunities for improvement and utilize their disability inclusion strategy as a competitive advantage. The index scores each company from 1 to 100 based on four inclusion criteria: Culture & Leadership; Enterprise-Wide Access; Employment Practices (Benefits, Recruitment, Employment, Education, Retention & Advancement and Accommodations); Community Engagement; and Supplier Diversity.
“We are very proud to receive a top score of 100% on the Disability Equality Index and are honored to again be named a Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion,” said Lynn B. McKee, Executive Vice President of Human Resources at Aramark. “Diversity is essential to our success and creating a welcoming culture for individuals with all abilities is what makes our organization so strong.”
Participation with the DEI continues to increase and shows trends of more companies improving their disability inclusion practices. Aramark is a part of the 86% of participating companies that have a disability-focused employee resource group (ERG). Aramark has nine ERGs, giving team members access to like-minded people with similar backgrounds and interests. Aramark Thrive is dedicated to the interest of team members who self-identify as having a disability and for caretakers and advocates of those with disabilities.
“AAPD is excited to see a record-breaking number of businesses prioritizing disability inclusion and promoting accessibility. As we approach the 29th anniversary of the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), this year’s DEI results will help businesses identify opportunities for improvement, as well as leverage their disability inclusion strategy as a competitive advantage — inching us closer to achieving the ADA’s goal of economic self-sufficiency for every disabled American.” – Helena Berger, President and CEO of AAPD.
In addition to the DEI, Aramark has been recognized by other notable organizations this year, for its diversity and inclusion efforts, such as the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, Equal Opportunity Magazine, Black Enterprise Magazine, CAREERS & the disABLED Magazine and Women on Boards. Most recently, Aramark was named a Top 50 Company for Diversity, by DiversityInc.
To view the complete 2019 Disability Equality Index results list, visit: http://disabilityin.org/DEIReport2019
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 50+ million Americans with disabilities. Learn more at: www.aapd.com.
About Disability:IN
Disability:IN, formerly known as the US Business Leadership Network, is the leading nonprofit resource for business disability inclusion worldwide. Partnering with more than 180 corporations, Disability:IN expands opportunities for people with disabilities across enterprises. The organization and 50 affiliates raise a collective voice of positive change for people with disabilities in business. Through its programs and services, Disability:IN empowers businesses to achieve disability inclusion and equality, with the goal of advancing inclusion to the point when the organization is no longer necessary. Learn more at: www.disabilityin.org.
About Aramark
Aramark (NYSE: ARMK) proudly serves Fortune 500 companies, world champion sports teams, state-of-the-art healthcare providers, the world’s leading educational institutions, iconic destinations and cultural attractions, and numerous municipalities in 19 countries around the world. Our 270,000 team members deliver experiences that enrich and nourish millions of lives every day through innovative services in food, facilities management and uniforms. We work to put our sustainability goals into action by focusing on initiatives that engage our employees, empower healthy living, preserve our planet and build local communities. Aramark is recognized as one of the World’s Most Admired Companies by FORTUNE, as well as an employer of choice by the Human Rights Campaign and DiversityInc. Learn more at www.aramark.com or connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.
