Disney Garners Perfect Score on Disability Equality Index

The Walt Disney Company scored a perfect 100 percent on the 2019 Disability Equality Index (DEI) and has been recognized as one of the Best Places to Work for Disability Inclusion.

The annual benchmarking index is a joint initiative of Disability:IN and the American Association of People with Disabilities.

Disability:IN is the leading nonprofit resource for business disability inclusion worldwide and the American Association of People with Disabilities works to increase the political and economic power of people with disabilities.

U.S. companies self-report disability policies and practices for the index and receive a score that ranges from 0 to 100 percent. The organizations announced the scores at the Disability:IN conference in Chicago this week.

Kevin Preston, manager, D & I Stakeholder Engagement for The Walt Disney Company participated in a panel on the workplace titled “The Dichotomy of a Service-Disabled Veteran.” Leonard Spencer, senior manager, Supplier Diversity for The Walt Disney Company, spoke during the Supplier Diversity Plenary and the Supplier Diversity team participated in a matchmaking session with disability-owned business enterprises.

“We are honored to support Disability:IN and to have an opportunity to engage in conversations about inclusive best practices for disability inclusion at the conference,” Spencer said.

Disney’s ongoing commitment to people with disabilities includes workplace efforts and making content, products and experiences accessible for consumers and guests. The company’s best practices for disability inclusion have had an impact on content with series like The Good Doctor on ABC and DuckTales and Andi Mack on Disney Channel, as well as on talent through three ABC Discovers: Actor Audition Workshops focused on performers with disabilities. In addition, Disney’s parks and resorts provide numerous accommodations for guests with disabilities.

According to the U.S. Census, one in five Americans have a disability. The World Health Organization estimates there are 600 million people with disabilities around the world.

Inclusion is key to market relevance and to creating authentic experiences and content. When the people on Disney’s teams reflect the life experiences of the Company’s global audiences, it helps the company thrive.