OHIO — The National Organization on Disability has released its picks for the 2024 Top Disability Employers, recognizing several Ohio-based businesses.
Businesses recognized by the NOD include hospital systems, government operations and many over-seas businesses. According to NOD, businesses that receive the NOD Leading Disability Employer Seal “measure and achieve strong talent outcomes for people with disabilities.”
October is recognized as National Disability Employment Awareness Month. NOD tracks employers through the Employment Tracker™, which helps them understand how their business practices correlate with hiring, retention and advancement outcomes for people with disabilities. It also assessed strategy, talent sourcing and metrics, environment and culture, people practices and workplace tools and accessibility.
“We are extremely grateful to this extraordinary group of companies for their unwavering commitment to disability inclusion,” said Beth Sirul, president and chief executive officer of the National Organization on Disability in a news release. “We believe diversity fuels innovation and growth, and inclusive offices reduce costly employee turnover. These employers put that vision into action. We applaud their efforts and investments in providing opportunities for Americans with disabilities to have fulfilling careers.
Buckeye State businesses include Cleveland’s KeyBank, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and Fifth Third of Cincinnati.
According to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, NOD assessed disability inclusion practices at more than 500 companies, with only those in the top quartile receiving the designation.
“This honor reflects our health system’s inclusive efforts in areas such as talent acquisition, workplace policies and practices, culture and accessibility,” Peter Adebi, senior vice president and chief human resources and diversity officer, said in a news release. “We want everyone at Cincinnati Children’s — including patients, families and employees — to feel welcome, respected and valued.”
More than 1,300 of the hospital system’s 19,500 people self-identified as having a disability as part of the assessment.
“We believe that investing in our employees and providing everyone with paths to fulfilling careers will lead to the growth and innovation that Cincinnati Children’s is known for,” said Bobby Rodriguez, Vice President of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Community Relations. .
Rodriguez said the hospital is a program participant with Project Search, which aims to prepare high school students with disabilities for employment. Project Search began in 1996 at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. Fifth Third Bank is another founding partner in Project Search.
“At Fifth Third, we want to create an intentionally inclusive, diverse and thriving community,” Chief Inclusion Officer Stephanie Smith said in a news release. “We strive to provide an environment where every employee is valued, respected and understood, and we pride ourselves on bringing our authentic selves and our best thinking into the workplace.”
The company has nine Business Resource Groups to push employees forward with engagement and development opportunities and support business solutions while engaging in the community.
“Creating a culture where employees feel cared for and valued is key to our success and embedded in our core values,” Chief Human Resources Officer Nancy Pinckney said in the release. “We believe the additions create an opportunity for everyone to thrive.”
According to the bank, it is the first to create a checking account for Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE), which allows people with disabilities to save and invest assets for disability-related expenses.
The third recognized Ohio business was KeyBank, which was also recognized as a member of the NOD Leadership Council.
To view the full list of recognized businesses, click here.
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