INL News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oct. 28, 2020
NEWS MEDIA CONTACTS:
Julie Ulrich, 208-520-1139, julie.ulrich@inl.gov
Sarah Neumann, 208-520-1651, sarah.neumann@inl.gov
Idaho National Laboratory Recognized for Exemplary Disability Hiring and Employment Practices
IDAHO FALLS, Idaho — The National Organization on Disability (NOD) has named Idaho National Laboratory a 2020 NOD Leading Disability Employer. The NOD Leading Disability Employer seal recognizes companies that demonstrate exemplary employment practices for people with disabilities.
This annual recognition is designed to commend those organizations that are leading the way in disability inclusion and to encourage other companies to tap into the many benefits of attracting, hiring, retaining and promoting talent of all abilities, including greater employee engagement across the workforce and stronger ratings for consumer preference.
The winning organizations were announced in a video at NOD’s Corporate Leadership Council Annual Forum, “ADA at 30: What’s Next.” The event highlighted the 30th anniversary of the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act, which transformed access to public spaces for people with disabilities.
“America’s success in the world depends on how well we inspire and put to use the talents and energies of every person in this country,” said NOD Chairman Gov. Tom Ridge. “These 68 organizations certainly have stepped up and are doing just that, and we applaud their leadership and thank them for their commitment to hiring people with disabilities.”
The NOD Leading Disability Employer Seal is awarded based on data provided by companies in response to the NOD Disability Employment Tracker, a free and confidential assessment that benchmarks companies’ disability inclusion programs in the following areas:
- Climate & Culture
- People Practices
- Talent Sourcing
- Workplace & Technology
- Strategy & Metrics
Based on their results, organizations may be recognized with the NOD Leading Disability Employer Seal. Responses are scored and benchmarked against hundreds of participating employers. The best performing employers are those who have adopted policies and practices associated with stronger, year-over-year outcomes in disability inclusion and representation.
“Diverse backgrounds and different abilities bring innovative ideas to help us achieve greater scientific results,” said Juan Alvarez, INL’s deputy laboratory director for Management and Operations and chief operations officer. “INL is always looking for new ways to find and retain talent of all abilities, and this award is recognition we are moving in the right direction.”
The full list of companies named 2020 Leading Disability Employers is available in the National Organization on Disability news release.
About NOD
The National Organization on Disability (NOD) is a private, nonprofit organization that seeks to increase employment opportunities for the 80% of working age Americans with disabilities who are not employed. To achieve this goal, NOD offers a suite of employment solutions, tailored to meet leading companies’ workforce needs. NOD has helped some of the world’s most recognized brands be more competitive in today’s global economy by building or enriching their disability inclusion programs. For more information about NOD and how its professional services, Corporate Leadership Council and Disability Employment Tracker, can help your business, visit www.NOD.org.
INL is a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) national laboratory that performs work in each of DOE’s strategic goal areas: energy, national security, science and environment. INL is the nation’s center for nuclear energy research and development. Day-to-day management and operation of the laboratory is the responsibility of Battelle Energy Alliance.
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