Corning Named ‘Best Place to Work’ by American Association of People with Disabilities and Disability:IN
Corning Incorporated has been named one of the best places to work by the American Association of People with Disabilities and Disability:IN for the fourth consecutive year.
Corning received a top score of 100 on the 2021 Disability Equality Index 2021 Disability Equality Index (DEI), a national, transparent benchmark that provides companies an objective score on disability-inclusion policies and practices, according to DEI's website.
“Creating an inclusive culture for our employees whose lives have been impacted by a disability is core to our Values,” said Dana Moss, division vice president and chief diversity, equity, and inclusion officer. “We’re honored to be recognized for our inclusiveness in the workplace for the fourth year in a row and look forward to continuing to build an environment where all can thrive.”
Beth Alderman, a 16-year Corning employee, and senior engineer said the company sets and meets high standards for inclusion and accommodation. She said the company has prioritized her comfort, health, and safety through several surgeries and ongoing autoimmune disorders.
“I am not surprised that we score as well as we do. This has been my experience since I started working here,” Beth said. “I find this to be a very unique company. I’ve talked with friends who work elsewhere, and I don’t think they get nearly the level of support that Corning employees do.”
Companies are graded on their performances in five categories — culture and leadership, enterprise-wide access, employment practices, community engagement and support, and supplier diversity. Questions include specifics about resource groups, executive sponsors, accommodations, and internal and external awareness.
In its application, Corning highlighted the work of Abled and DisAbled Partnering Together (ADAPT), an employee resource group that assists employees in finding resources to accommodate disabilities of all types, including short term, permanent, invisible, visible, intellectual, physical, and emotional.
“One in every five people around the globe has a disability, according to population statistics. In addition, one in every four employees has taken time off to support disability related to parental, family, or medical reasons at some point in the past two years,” said current ADAPT co-president Vamshi Gudapati. “There’s a long list of the advantages inclusivity brings to a company, and Corning is one of the companies leading inclusivity. This inclusivity really helps Corning bring in diversity of thought which, in turn, brings about new innovations and higher revenue.”
