United Airlines (UAL) has achieved a 100% score on the 2018 Disability Equality Index (DEI), a benchmarking metric that rates US companies on their disability inclusion policies and practices. The DEI is a dual initiative between the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) and the US Business Leadership Network, devised by disability advocates and business leaders as a comprehensive benchmarking tool for disability inclusion.
The Index measures key performance indicators across organizational culture, leadership, accessibility, employment, community engagement, support services and supplier diversity, and attaining the top score has also earned United a place on the DEI’s ‘Best Places to Work’ list for 2018. The airline was one of 126 Fortune 1000 companies to achieve 100% in the index.
Measures that contributed to United’s score include measures such as anti-discrimination policies, employee training focused on inclusion, creating a disability-focused business resource group, advances in e-commerce and digital accessibility, giving employees the option to voluntarily disclose disabilities on an internal human resources portal, and establishing a robust supplier diversity program. The airline has also engaged in other activities including partnering with the Special Olympics, and working closely with airports to host initiatives such as Wings for All, a program that enables young travelers on the autism spectrum to practice going through the full travel experience before they take flight.
