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For Your Business July 18, 2024

Disability Pride Month and Old National’s Commitment to Workplace Disability Inclusion

Old National Bank is a leader in disability inclusion, once again in 2024 receiving a top score of 100 on the annual Disability Equality Index® and being recognized as a “Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion.” The Disability Equality Index® is the world’s most comprehensive benchmarking tool for Fortune 1000-scope companies to measure workplace disability inclusion.

Disability inclusion is steadily becoming a business necessity. Statistics show that companies that lead on key disability inclusion criteria realize 1.6x more revenue, 2.6x more net income, and 2x more economic profit than other participants in Disability:IN’s annual benchmark survey.

As we mark #DisabilityPrideMonth in July we highlight the work done, and the work still yet to be done, to advance disability inclusion.

The Business Case for Disability Inclusion

Originally created to commemorate the passing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Disability Pride Month has gained global significance in recent years, with significant business impact. Participants in Disability:IN’s annual benchmark survey are shown to be 25% more likely to outperform on productivity compared to their industry peers that have not participated in the survey, measured as revenue per employee.

These businesses also receive twice as many positive reviews related to aspects of disability inclusion than industry peers on Glassdoor.

Disability Inclusion at Old National

“According to the U.S. Department of Labor, there are more than 18.5 million people of working age in the United States with a disability – and just 56% of them are employed!” says Corliss Garner, Old National’s Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer. “When you consider that the overall unemployment rate in the U.S. is 3.8%, it stands to reason that there are millions of eager, qualified job applicants whose only barrier to employment is their disability.

“At Old National, we recognize that welcoming individuals living with a disability into our workforce makes us a stronger, more successful company.”

Old National has found success with two programs designed to create opportunities for individuals with disabilities:

  • The Abilities First Impact Network is an employee network group that meets regularly to look for ways to share their knowledge and experiences with others in the company, promoting an inclusive work environment while increasing awareness of the needs of those with disabilities.
  • The Achieve Ability program offers a unique approach to mentorship that matches individuals with physical and intellectual disabilities who aspire to enter the workforce with experienced Old National leaders. This mentee-mentor relationship benefits everyone involved, with the opportunity to offer mentees full-time employment at the end of their one-year cohort.

Celebrating Progress, Change, and the Work Ahead

Disability employment has made significant progress in the last 5-6 years.

In July of 2018, 29% of working-age people with disabilities were employed. Five years later, that number increased to 37% by July of 2023. Notably, according to Disability:IN, most of the progress in employment among persons with disabilities has occurred since February 2020, the beginning of the COVID pandemic.

There is still work to do, as evidenced by an Accenture study showing that:

  • 76% of employees with disabilities do not fully disclose their disabilities at work (e.g. to HR, colleagues and supervisors/managers)
  • That percentage increases at the C-suite level to 80%
  • Employees in the study cited fear of backlash in the form of limited opportunities for growth, which remains a culture challenge for all organizations

At Old National we continue to strive, through our Impact Networks (employee resource groups) dedicated to diversity and inclusion, and a culture that fosters a sense of belonging and empowerment, to create a more inclusive workplace. Please join us in celebrating the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act on July 28, and our combined workforce efforts to create more visibility for the disability community, and to encourage team members with disabilities to be their authentic selves.

To learn more about disability inclusivity and the culture at Old National go to oldnational.com/about-us/diversity-equity-inclusion.

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