Cincinnati Children’s recognized as a Leading Disability Employer

Wednesday, October 02, 2024

Cincinnati Children's has been named a Leading Disability Employer by the National Organization on Disability, which recognizes exceptional inclusion practices and policies by companies across a range of industries.

The National Organization on Disability assessed disability inclusion practices of more than 500 companies, and those that scored in the top quartile of all participants were designated a Leading Disability Employer.

"This honor reflects our health system's inclusion efforts in areas such as talent acquisition, workplace policies and practices, culture and accessibility," said Peter Adeb i, senior vice president and chief human resources and diversity officer. "We want everyone at Cincinnati Children's - including patients, families and employees - to feel welcome, respected and valued."

As part of the assessment process, more than 1,300 of Cincinnati Children's 19,500 employees self-identified as having a disability.

In addition to self-identification rates, the recognition by the National Organization on Disability considered:

• How a company tracks talent outcomes for individuals with disabilities, including applicants, hires, promotions and turnover
• Whether a company has policies, practices, resources and accountability for disability inclusion
• How a company ensures accessibility of technology and materials and administers accommodations processes
• How disability is embedded in a company's business processes and internal and external communications
• How a company provides training on disability inclusion, facilitates disability mentoring and awareness programs, and includes disability in engagement surveys

"We believe the growth and innovation that Cincinnati Children's is known for is sparked by investing in our employees and providing pathways to fulfilling careers for everyone," said Bobby Rodriguez, vice president for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Community Relations.

"That's why we are committed to the hiring, retention and advancement of people with disabilities.

"For example, a signature program of Cincinnati Children's is Project SEARCH, which prepares high school students with disabilities for employment as adults," Rodriguez said. "Over the past 30 years, Project SEARCH has grown from a single program site at Cincinnati Children's to a network of sites throughout the United States and the United Kingdom."

Cincinnati Children's also offers a Disabled and Abled Resource Group for employees, and the National Organization on Disability assessment took into account company strategies to increase promotions of people with disabilities, identify high-potential employees, and advocate for education and resources.

The National Organization on Disability, a nonprofit organization that seeks to increase employment opportunities and optimize success for millions of Americans with disabilities, noted that October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month.

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