Middle East2021 Disability Equality Index
L'ORÉAL USA RECEIVES TOP SCORE ON 2021 DISABILITY EQUALITY INDEX
The beauty leader is recognized by Disability:IN as a 'Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion’
NEW YORK, NY – [July 13, 2021] – For the fourth year in a row, L'Oréal USA has earned a perfect score of 100 on the 2021 Disability Equality Index (DEI). The DEI is a unique joint initiative between Disability:IN and the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) and serves as the nation’s most comprehensive annual benchmarking tool for corporations regarding disability inclusion. L’Oréal USA is committed to developing and fostering an environment of inclusivity, acceptance and education among its employee community.
“At L’Oréal USA, we have a responsibility to create an inclusive and accessible work environment where individuals with disabilities feel supported and positioned for success. As a business leader with my own disabilities, I appreciate the encouragement to generate an open dialogue across the business and ensure we are always working to foster an inclusive workplace culture among our employees,” said Angela Guy, Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer, L’Oréal USA.
Launched in 2015, this evolving index objectively scores each corporation on a scale from 0 to 100, with a score of 100 representing the most inclusive. The DEI was developed collaboratively by Disability:IN and the AAPD in consultation with the appointed DEI Advisory Committee, and a diverse and voluntary group of experts in business, policy and disability advocacy.
"We are so pleased to partner with 319 companies this year on the Disability Equality Index. Part of corporate commitment to disability inclusion is recognizing your stance and using it as an 'aha moment' to drive the business investments needed to scale change,” said Jill Houghton, President & Chief Executive Officer, Disability:IN. “Inclusion and accessibility cuts across the enterprise, from cultural representation in the workforce, to technology acceleration, to incorporating supply chain diversity. These are tangible opportunities that leading companies can leverage to create sustainable impact for their business and brand."
In 2021, 319 corporations utilized the Disability Equality Index (DEI) to benchmark their efforts. Participants were evaluated in the following categories: Culture & Leadership; Enterprise-Wide Access; Employment Practices (Benefits, Recruitment, Employment, Education, Retention & Advancement, Accommodations); Community Engagement; Supplier Diversity; and Non-U.S. Operations.
This year, following the global pandemic, the DEI was modernized to add non-weighted questions about innovative technology to advance digital and remote accessibility; mental wellness benefits; services for Deaf and hard of hearing employees, and flexible work options.
“The Disability Equality Index shines a spotlight on companies that believe they have a stake in creating a more equitable society for people with disabilities,” said Maria Town, President and CEO of AAPD. “It is a conduit for our work championing disability rights for the 60 million Americans with disabilities and knocking down barriers to employment, technology and healthcare, and we're thrilled to see the progress being made today.”
L’Oréal USA is dedicated to creating an inclusive workplace and has developed various initiatives to support its disabled employees. Through the creation of its DiversABILITY Think Tank, the employee-led resource group is dedicated to raising awareness, supporting the recruitment, advancement and retention of people with disabilities while also encouraging the importance of mental health in the workplace. The Diversity & Inclusion team has also launched an initiative, Break the Silence, which aids to foster a more accepting and psychologically safe environment for employees to feel encouraged and supported in disclosing disabilities.
About L’Oréal USA
L'Oréal USA is the largest subsidiary of the L'Oréal Group, the world’s leading beauty company. Through its management of over 35 iconic beauty brands, L’Oréal USA has generated more than $7 billion in sales annually. Products are available across all distribution channels including hair salons, department stores, mass market, pharmacies, medi-spas, e-commerce and more. L’Oréal USA’s commitment to growth is generated through sustainable innovation and driven by the company’s L’Oréal for the Future ambition which demonstrates sustainable development across the Group’s value chain. The company is headquartered in New York City, employs more than 11,000 people, and operates administrative, research, manufacturing and distribution facilities across 16 states.
About the Disability Equality Index®
The Disability Equality Index (DEI) is a comprehensive benchmarking tool that helps companies build a roadmap of measurable, tangible actions that they can take to achieve disability inclusion and equality. Each company receives a score, on a scale of zero (0) to 100, with those earning 80 and above recognized as a “Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion.”
The DEI is a joint initiative of the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), the nation’s largest disability rights organization, and Disability:IN, the global business disability inclusion network, to collectively advance the inclusion of people with disabilities. The organizations are complementary and bring unique strengths that make the project relevant and credible to corporations and the disability community. The tool was developed by the DEI Advisory Committee, a diverse group of business leaders, policy experts, and disability advocates. Learn more at: