WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Novant Health announced today that it has been recognized for the third straight year as one of the “Best Places to Work for Disability Inclusion” by Disability:IN and the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD). For the second year in a row, the health care system received a perfect score on the Disability Equality Index (DEI), a comprehensive benchmarking tool that gauges an organization’s level of disability workplace inclusion relative to other businesses.
“Novant Health’s values include diversity, inclusion and equity because we know that each individual is different and shaped by their unique life experiences,” said Melissa Parker, Novant Health senior vice president, patient advocacy officer, and executive sponsor of the Persons with Disabilities business resource group (BRG). “Every day, we strive to value the perspectives and life experiences of each patient and team member, including those with disabilities. As a person with a disability, I can say firsthand that this work matters. We are honored to receive this recognition for the third year in a row, validating our continued commitment to disability inclusion.”
Examples of what Novant Health is doing to create an inclusive environment for individuals with disabilities include the following:
- Encouraging team members to self-identify as having a disability or not to help us better understand the needs of our workforce.
- Making virtual meetings more accessible with closed captions and live transcription.
- Hosting internal “courageous conversations” where team members share their stories of living with a disability.
- Forming the Persons with Disabilities business resource group to help understand the needs of persons with disabilities in our workforce, patient population and the communities we serve.
- Completing assessments of all our facilities to find ways we can provide a more accessible environment for patients and team members.
- Making communication aid kits and interpreter services available at our acute care facilities and clinics to help patients with special communications needs.
- Offering an internship experience for students ages 18 to 21 with developmental disabilities at Novant Health Brunswick Medical, Novant Health Matthews Medical Center, and Novant Health Huntersville Medical Center through a partnership with Project SEARCH.
- Following a companywide digital accessibility policy committed to making digital properties like the Novant Health website accessible to persons with disabilities.
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 50+ 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 trust Disability:IN to activate and achieve disability inclusion across their enterprise and in the broader corporate mainstream. Through the world’s most comprehensive disability inclusion benchmarking; best-in-class conferences and programs; and expert counsel and engagement, Disability:IN works with leading businesses to create long-term business and societal impact. Join us at disabilityin.org/AreYouIN #AreYouIN
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