PPG (NYSE: PPG) has been honored as a “Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion” by the DISABILITY EQUALITY INDEX® for the third consecutive year, the company announced today. Launched in 2015 by Disability and The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), the Disability Equality Index is recognized as the leading assessment tool for disability inclusion in business. This year, 542 corporations, including 220 Fortune 500 companies, utilized the index to evaluate their disability inclusion efforts. Businesses scoring 80 or higher are distinguished as a “Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion” for the benchmark year, with PPG achieving a perfect score of 100.
Robert Massy, PPG senior vice president and chief human resources officer, emphasized, “One of our greatest strengths lies in the diversity of our workforce, and we are continuously exploring new avenues to foster an inclusive environment at PPG. Globally, there are 1.3 billion people with disabilities, and ensuring equitable experiences for all our employees enhances engagement, drives business performance, and expands opportunities for everyone.”
Jill Houghton, president and CEO of Disability, commended the milestone, stating, “On the Disability Equality Index’s 10th anniversary, we celebrate the 542 national and international companies championing disability inclusion. They are setting the standard for others by fostering inclusive workplaces that attract top talent, drive innovation, and sustain performance in today’s global economy. Together, we are paving the way towards a future where every individual can thrive and contribute.”
Established in 2020, PPG’s Abilities First Network (AFN) is one of the company’s eight global employee resource networks (ERNs). AFN is dedicated to supporting employees with disabilities, creating opportunities within PPG, and educating communities on empowering individuals to achieve their full potential. As of June 2024, AFN has nearly 1,200 employee members spanning 43 countries.
Throughout the past year, PPG has engaged in several initiatives aimed at enhancing disability inclusion both internally and within communities:
- PPG sponsored global webcasts for World Mental Health Day in October 2023 and Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Awareness in March 2024.
- The company conducted Inclusive Workplace Training sessions in partnership with Best Buddies International, focusing on disability awareness and fostering acceptance and inclusion.
- PPG’s COLORFUL COMMUNITIES® program supported community assets for individuals with disabilities in various locations worldwide.
Reflecting on these efforts, Massy remarked, “At PPG, we recognize that inclusion is a journey with no one-size-fits-all approach. I am proud of the impactful work being done by PPG employees globally to cultivate a culture of equity and inclusion. The Disability Equality Index serves as a crucial tool in validating our progress, and we look forward to advancing further in our journey.
