IDAHO FALLS — The National Organization on Disability (NOD) has named Idaho National Laboratory a 2018 NOD Leading Disability Employer™. Now in its third year, the NOD Leading Disability Employer seal recognizes companies that demonstrate exemplary employment practices for people with disabilities.
This annual recognition is designed to applaud those organizations that are leading the way in disability hiring and encourage more companies to tap into the many benefits of hiring talent with disabilities, including strong consumer preference for companies that employ individuals with disabilities, and greater employee engagement across the workforce.
The winning organizations were announced at NOD’s Corporate Leadership Council Annual Forum, New Frontiers in Disability Employment, on Sept. 25 in Falls Church, Virginia.
“Our success in a global economy depends, now more than ever, on how well we inspire and put to use the talent and energies of every person in this country – every talent, every skill, every ability,” said NOD Chairman Gov. Tom Ridge. “For more than 35 years, the National Organization on Disability has served as a bridge builder to the wider world of employment and independence for the 57 million Americans with disabilities. We thank Idaho National Laboratory for its commitment to building a disability inclusive workforce,” Ridge said.
The NOD Leading Disability Employer seal is awarded based on data furnished by companies in response to the NOD Disability Employment Tracker™, a free and confidential assessment that benchmarks companies’ disability inclusion programs in the following areas:
- Climate & Culture
- People Practices
- Talent Sourcing
- Workplace & Technology
- Strategy & Metrics
While the Tracker is confidential, organizations may opt to be considered for the NOD Leading Disability Employer seal. Responses are scored, taking into account both disability employment practices and performance. Scoring prioritizes practices that are associated with increased disability employment outcomes over time, and companies receive additional points based on the percentage of people with disabilities in their workforce.
“On behalf of INL, I’d like to thank Governor Tom Ridge and the NOD for acknowledging the hard work we’ve done over the years to ensure people with disabilities feel valued and included,” said INL Director Dr. Mark Peters. “People with disabilities are twice as likely to be unemployed as the general population, therefore INL will continue to do our part to ensure people with disabilities have access to opportunities.”
The full list of 52 companies named 2018 Leading Disability Employers is available in the National Organization on Disability news release,
About NOD
The National Organization on Disability (NOD) is a private, nonprofit organization that seeks to increase employment opportunities for the 80 percent of working-age Americans with disabilities who are not employed. To achieve this goal, NOD offers a suite of employment solutions, tailored to meet leading companies’ workforce needs. NOD has helped some of the world’s most recognized brands be more competitive by building or enriching their disability inclusion programs. For more information about NOD and how its professional services, Corporate Leadership Council and Disability Employment Tracker™ can help your business, visit www.NOD.org.
