For over twenty years, this publication has championed the emphasis of ability both inside and outside of the workplace. ABILITY Magazine Best Practices Award is designed to single out and celebrate those business practices that have a high level of commitment to inclusion and ingenuity, demonstrate positive results in their efforts, and possess the potential to inspire other organizations. It is through such practices that an organization becomes a leader in its market, improves employee morale and strengthens community relations. This issue, we recognize Prudential and Accenture.
Accenture
Accenture is an international management consulting firm working in over 120 countries—equipping people around the world with the skills to build successful careers. While demonstrating a strong belief in diversity and inclusion, Accenture has also become a leader in creating global awareness of workplace issues and providing long-term support for employees with disabilities.
The company’s goal to incorporate instrumental accommodations such as occupational therapist consultations, larger monitors, lighter laptops, adaptive software and Braille keyboards, is helping to cultivate a more inclusive environment for employees with disabilities.
Accenture has also established many partnerships and programs, which have become essential to its model for recognizing the needs of those employees, including: Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans with Disabilities, a program which provides veterans with the skills to start their own businesses; Access to Livelihoods, which furnishes training and career opportunities in South Asia and the Philippines; and, Accenture’s Challenged Athletes National Championship.
Accenture was named in the FORTUNE list of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in 2012.
Prudential
Prudential Financial, Inc. is one of the world’s largest financial institutions and ranked as a top employer for diversity. Prudential is co-developer and a lead sponsor of VETalent—a program for veterans that prepares them for IT or operations positions. After successful completion of this ground-breaking work-study program, participants are considered for employment at Prudential or one of its VETalent corporate partners.
Steve Pelletier, president of Prudential’s group insurance business, is the executive sponsor of the Abled and Disabled Associates Partnering Together (ADAPT). This employee established business resource group started as the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Network and broadened its focus in 2002 to be inclusive of all disabilities. Its workshops include internal and external speakers. Topics range from personal journeys with disabilities to cutting-edge assistive technology.
In 2011, ADAPT’s 10-week summer internship program for college students and adults with disabilities placed eight individuals into internship positions. Each year, the goal is to build on the prior year’s success. In addition to placing individuals in internship positions, several interns have successfully transitioned to full-time positions.
Prudential was also ranked 59 in Business Week’s “The Best Places to Launch a Career 2008,” and is number one on the 2012 FORTUNE list of the World’s Most Admired Companies in the “Insurance: Life and Health” category.
Articles in the Push Girls Issue; Senator Harkin — Working for Jobs; Ashley Fiolek — Switched at Conan; Paralympics — Better Than the Olympics?; ABILITY Award — Accenture and Prudential; DRLC — Affordable Health Care Act Benefits; Billie Jean King — Bouncing Back; Joint Replacement — Hard as a Bone; Tourette’s — A Friendly Fil; Geri Jewell — Paper or Plastic; China — Exposing the World; Push Girls — Living Large; Marathon — Horses Help Vets to Heal; John Williams — He’s the Man; ABILITY’s Crossword Puzzle; Events and Conferences…
