The Disability Equality Index (DEI) has become widely considered the leading benchmark for objectively measuring disability inclusive policies and practices inside corporate America since its 2015 inception. The DEI has expanded from 80 participating companies in its first year to 485 representing 30 industries in 2023. In 2021, a two-year Global DEI pilot was launched which garnered total participation from 98 companies spanning 66 countries across the multi-year pilot. As the DEI is readied for its 10th anniversary in 2024, there is much to celebrate and learn from the DEI’s first decade and tremendous excitement building for the next 10 years of the benchmark. This session will examine compelling insights and findings from the DEI and Global DEI, including examples of how companies have leveraged the DEI to drive progress on disability inclusion, as well as a look ahead at the future of the DEI and Global DEI.

Learning Objectives

  1. Learn how leading companies are leveraging the DEI and Global DEI to develop and evolve their disability inclusion strategy.
  2. Explore best practices for building equitable programs for employees, customers and suppliers with disabilities.
  3. Gain insight into the future of the DEI and Global DEI in advance of the 10thanniversary of the DEI in 2024.

Moderator:

  • Ronald Pettit – Director, Disability Inclusion and ADA Compliance at Royal Caribbean

Panelists:

  • Oriel Arusy – DEI Strategy & Operations at Verizon
  • Nicole Bergstrom – Senior Director, Accessibility at Hilton 
  • David Dent – Executive Director and Lead of Disability Strategy Group at Parexel
  • Laurie Henneborn – Managing Director at Accenture