CONWAY, Ark., July 16, 2024 – Acxiom, the global leader in customer intelligence and marketing enablement, proudly announces its recognition as a “Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion,” having achieved a perfect score of 100 on the 2024 Disability Equality Index (DEI).
Launched in 2015 by the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) and Disability: IN, the DEI is a comprehensive benchmarking tool for Fortune 1000 companies to enact measurable, tangible actions towards disability inclusion and equality. Acxiom’s score reflects its work championing equity and inclusion for people with disabilities and driving vital change by dismantling barriers to employment and embracing the unique abilities of all its employees.
“On the 10th anniversary of the Disability Equality Index, we’re extremely proud of the 542 national and international companies that are taking a proactive role in leading progress towards disability inclusion, setting a benchmark for others to follow. Their dedication to fostering inclusive workplaces not only attracts top talent but also drives innovation and creates sustainable performance in today’s global market. Together, we are creating a future where everyone can contribute and thrive,” said Jill Houghton, President and CEO of Disability:IN.
“Fostering an equitable and inclusive workplace is a responsibility we passionately uphold at Acxiom, and every year, we eagerly track our progress through the DEI to affirm we’re living up to this commitment. As a proud executive sponsor of our DisAbility Champions business resource group, achieving a perfect score is especially meaningful to me, underscoring the importance of this work. By embedding accessibility, diversity, and a sense of belonging deep within our company’s core, we empower all employees—regardless of ability—to shape our culture, drive innovation in our solutions, and thrive,” said Jordan Abbott, Chief Privacy Officer at Acxiom.
Highlights of Acxiom’s disability inclusion practices featured in the 2024 DEI include:
Enhanced Accessibility: Installed automatic doors at the Conway, AR headquarters to ensure easy access for individuals with disabilities.
Committed Leadership: Incorporated disability inclusion into the IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Awareness) Council’s mission statement.
Proactive Advocacy: Sent representatives to the annual National Disability Conference and joined the Arkansas affiliate Board of Directors.
Inclusive Engagement: Celebrated the American Disabilities Act, Disability Pride Month, National Disability Employment Awareness Month, and hosted Ice Cream Socials/Bingo, Share and Learn sessions, and discussions with the Arkansas Department of Rehabilitation Services.
Community Support: Partnered with the University of Central Arkansas’s Living Unleashed program to support Canine Companions for Independence, which provides companion dogs to people with disabilities.
“We remain committed to advancing these initiatives and establishing new benchmarks for inclusivity across our industry and beyond,” added Abbott.
For more information about Acxiom’s diversity and inclusion efforts, visit Acxiom.com.
About the Disability Equality Index
The Disability Equality Index has become the leading independent, third-party resource for the annual benchmarking of corporate disability inclusion policies and programs, and is now trusted by more than 70% of the United States Fortune 100 and nearly half of the Fortune 500. Such companies must increasingly consider how emerging global reporting directives and stakeholder expectations surrounding social and corporate governance factors impact their operational, cultural, reputational and financial performance.
The Disability Equality Index is an objective, reflective, forward-thinking, and confidential disability rating tool designed to assist business in advancing inclusion practices. It is a comprehensive benchmark that helps companies build a roadmap of measurable, tangible actions across five scored categories: Culture & Leadership, Enterprise-Wide Access, Employment Practices, Community Engagement, and Supplier Diversity. Participating companies receive a score, on a scale of zero (0) to 100, with those scoring 80 or higher earning the distinction of “Best Places to Work for Disability Inclusion” for the benchmark year.
Findings from a two-year Global Disability Equality Index pilot informed the launch of a scored benchmark that opened in 2024 to seven new countries in addition to the United States. These include: Brazil, Canada, Germany, India, Japan, the Philippines, and the United Kingdom. Now in its 10th year, the Disability Equality Index has grown nearly 7x since 2015, expanding from 80 companies in its first year to 542 in 2024. Collectively, the 2024 edition received 753 submissions spanning the eight benchmarked countries.
About American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD)
AAPD is a convener, connector, and catalyst for change, increasing the political and economic power for people with disabilities. As a national cross-disability rights organization AAPD advocates for full civil rights for the 60+ million Americans with disabilities. Learn more at: www.aapd.com.
About Disability: IN
Disability:IN is a global organization driving disability inclusion and equality in business. More than 500 corporations partner with Disability:IN to create long-term business and social impact through the world’s most comprehensive disability inclusion benchmarking and reporting tool, the Disability Equality Index; best-in-class conferences and programs; expert counsel and engagement; and public policy leadership. Join us at disabilityin.org/AreYouIN #AreYouIN.