Highmark Health Has Been Named a “Best Place to Work” for Individuals with Disabilities

PITTSBURGH (July 15, 2020) — For the sixth consecutive year, Highmark Health has been named a “Best Place to Work” for individuals with disabilities in the Disability Equality Index® (DEI®), a national benchmarking survey administered jointly by the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) and Disability:IN®.

For its comprehensive efforts to attract, develop and retain people with disabilities in its workforce, national blended health organization Highmark Health has earned a top score of 100 percent in the most comprehensive disability inclusion assessment tool designed and embraced by both business leaders and disability advocates. This year’s recognition measures culture and leadership; enterprise-wide access; employment practices, including benefits, recruitment, employment, education, retention and advancement, and accommodations; community engagement; and supplier diversity.

“Supporting a diverse workforce is a vital part of getting health care right for our customers,” said Dr. Lonie Haynes, vice president of diversity and inclusion, Highmark Health. “When our workforce reflects the diverse communities which we serve, we are able to develop more innovative solutions and ultimately deliver a differentiated health care experience with greater value. We are honored to be named a 2020 ‘Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion’ – a distinction which recognizes our organization’s commitment to diversity, accessibility, community engagement, and competitive employment inclusive of people with disabilities.”

Among those practices earning Highmark Health the “Best Place to Work” recognition are programs and partnerships that help to recruit people with disabilities, including the Rooney Rule; a centralized accommodation process; support and leadership of organizations in the community that advocate for people with disabilities; executive sponsorship of the business case for recruiting, hiring and developing people with disabilities; supplier diversity and provider diversity programs; and enterprise-wide support of business resources groups through which employees with disabilities get involved in workplace, marketplace and community-wide programs.

“The best way to attract, retain and grow talent with disabilities is to create an accessible, inclusive workplace. This year’s top scoring Disability Equality Index companies are demonstrating their commitment to many of the numerous leading disability inclusion practices featured in the DEI, recognizing that there’s still room for improvement,” said Jill Houghton, president and chief executive officer, Disability:IN. “We are proud to have developed strong partnerships with corporate allies who are committed to advancing disability inclusion and equality across their businesses in the United States and around the world.”

Highmark Health’s Abilities Business Resource Group (BRG) raises awareness about the needs of, and offers support to, people with disabilities and their caregivers in the workplace, marketplace and community. The Abilities BRG encourages workplace inclusion, equality of opportunity and best practices in recruitment. Its members also build community partnerships through educational-to-career experiences for students with disabilities, advocate accessibility to Highmark Health facilities, act as a champion for customers with disabilities, and serve as a voice for those who care for or support people with disabilities.