Monday, November 4, 2013

INDUSTRY LEADERS JOIN PILOT PROGRAM TO ENHANCE DISABILITY INCLUSION BENCHMARKING TOOL - The AAPD-USBLN® Disability Equality IndexSM

American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) 
PRESS RELEASE Nov 4, 2013

The AAPD-USBLN® Disability Equality IndexSM is the national benchmarking tool on corporate policies and practices related to disability.

WASHINGTON, DC (November 4, 2013) -- The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) and the US Business Leadership Network® (USBLN®) are pleased to announce that many of America’s leading companies have signed up to take part in the pilot launch of the Disability Equality IndexSM (DEISM). AAPD and the USBLN® sought the participation of 35 companies, and the maximum number joined well ahead of the November 15, 2013 deadline. The pilot phase will refine the DEISM survey prior to the 2014 launch of the first Annual DEISM survey.

Companies participating in the pilot represent a broad range of industry sectors. These include Aerospace, Agriculture, Consumer Products, Entertainment, Financial Services, Healthcare, Manufacturing, Pharmaceutical, Professional Services, Retail, Technology, and Telecommunications.

The DEISM is a national transparent benchmarking tool that will offer major businesses the opportunity to receive an objective score on their disability inclusion policies and practices, and identify avenues for continued improvement. In addition, the tool is intended to help build a company’s reputation as an employer of choice, which could advance talent acquisition. Furthermore, the DEISM will provide useful information to people with disabilities.

For more information on the DEISM please visit our FAQ: (DOC | PDF)

About the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD)
The American Association of People with Disabilities is the nation's largest disability rights organization. AAPD promotes equal opportunity, economic power, independent living, and political participation for people with disabilities. AAPD’s members, including people with disabilities and family, friends, and supporters, represent a powerful force for change. To learn more, visit the AAPD Web site: www.aapd.com.

About the US Business Leadership Network® (USBLN®) 
The US Business Leadership Network® (USBLN®) is a national non-profit that helps business drive performance by leveraging disability inclusion in the workplace, supply chain, and marketplace. The USBLN® serves as the collective voice of over 50 Business Leadership Network affiliates across the United States, representing over 5,000 businesses. Additionally, the USBLN® Disability Supplier Diversity Program® (DSDP) is the nation’s leading third party certification program for disability-owned businesses, including businesses owned by service-disabled veterans. www.usbln.org

Contact: Colin Schwartz
Phone: 202-521-4309
cschwartz@aapd.com

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About AAPD
The American Association of People with Disabilities is the nation's largest disability rights organization. We promote equal opportunity, economic power, independent living, and political participation for people with disabilities. Our members, including people with disabilities and our family, friends, and supporters, represent a powerful force for change. To learn more, visit the AAPD Web site: www.aapd.com

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