GREEN BAY, Wis. – July 27, 2023 – Associated Bank is being recognized as a DEI Best Places to Work for Disability Inclusion based on a score of 100 percent on the Disability Equality Index® (DEI), the world’s most comprehensive benchmarking tool for the Fortune 1000 and Am Law 2001 to measure disability workplace inclusion against competitors.
The DEI was launched in 2015 by Disability:IN and The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) and is acknowledged today as the most robust disability inclusion assessment tool in business. Now in its ninth year, the DEI exists to help businesses make a positive impact on the unemployment/underemployment of people with disabilities.
The 2023 DEI measured: Culture & Leadership; Enterprise-Wide Access; Employment Practices (Benefits, Recruitment, Employment, Education, Retention & Advancement, Accommodations); Community Engagement; Supplier Diversity; Non-U.S. Operations (Non- Weighted).
“Associated Bank is committed to being a leader in creating greater equity for people with disabilities in the workplace, marketplace and supply chain, said Callie Davis, director of diversity, equity and inclusion, Associated Bank. “As we look forward in our DE&I journey, we are excited to pursue new opportunities that will make our organization even stronger for our colleagues, customers and community.”
Associated Bank is committed to a diverse workforce, workplace and marketplace that includes:
- A workforce where diversity, equity and inclusion are represented at all levels, across all locations
- A workplace culture where everyone feels valued, respected and welcomed and every colleague is empowered to reach their full potential
- A diverse, equitable and inclusive approach in the marketplace for all customers, suppliers and markets
Ongoing diversity, equity and inclusion work at Associated Bank includes:
- Ensuring benefits, along with recruitment, employment and accommodation practices fully consider and include individuals with disabilities
- Internal training for colleagues on the benefits of disability hiring, accommodations and best practices for inclusion
- Executive sponsorship and support for Forward Abilities, Associated’s Colleague Resource Group, for disability awareness, education and programs that support the needs of colleagues and communities
- In addition to traditional medical, dental and vision coverage, Associated offers competitive and comprehensive benefits including well-being programs and incentives, Employee Assistance Program, and flexible work arrangements
- Offering the opportunity for colleagues to voluntarily identify if they have a disability for better visibility and a more accurate portrayal of our workforce demographics
- Founding charter members of Disability:IN WI chapter with current active involvement and advocacy in board and committees
Globally, people with disabilities represent over one billion people. Disability is a natural part of the human experience, and it crosses lines of age, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, race, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status and religion.
"These top-scoring companies understand deeply that people with disabilities represent a tremendous source of talent and innovation for their workforce and market share for their brands, and they are trailblazers in our journey towards full disability inclusion in business," said Maria Town, President and CEO of AAPD.
In 2023, 485 corporations, including 71 Fortune 100, 207 Fortune 500, and 249 Fortune 1000 utilized the DEI to benchmark their disability inclusion efforts.
1 America’s top 200 revenue grossing law firms.
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ABOUT ASSOCIATED BANC-CORP
Associated Banc-Corp (NYSE: ASB) has total assets of $41 billion and is the largest bank holding company based in Wisconsin. Headquartered in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Associated is a leading Midwest banking franchise, offering a full range of financial products and services from more than 200 banking locations serving more than 100 communities throughout Wisconsin, Illinois and Minnesota. The company also operates loan production offices in Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, New York, Ohio and Texas. Associated Bank, N.A. is an Equal Housing Lender, Equal Opportunity Lender and Member FDIC. More information about Associated Banc-Corp is available at www.associatedbank.com.
About the Disability Equality Index®
The Disability Equality Index (DEI) is a comprehensive benchmarking tool that helps companies build a roadmap of measurable, tangible actions that they can take to achieve disability inclusion and equality. Each company receives a score, on a scale of zero (0) to 100, with those earning 80 and above recognized as a “Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion.”
The DEI is a joint initiative of the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), the nation’s largest disability rights organization, and Disability:IN, the global business disability inclusion network, to collectively advance the inclusion of people with disabilities. The organizations are complementary and bring unique strengths that make the project relevant and credible to corporations and the disability community. The tool was developed by the DEI Advisory Committee, a diverse group of business leaders, policy experts, and disability advocates. Learn more at: www.DisabilityEqualityIndex.org.
About the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD)
AAPD is a convener, connector, and catalyst for change, increasing the political and economic power for people with disabilities. As a national cross-disability rights organization AAPD advocates for full civil rights for the 60+ million Americans with disabilities. Learn more at: www.aapd.com.
About Disability:IN®
Disability:IN is a global organization driving disability inclusion and equality in business. More than 500 corporations partner with Disability:IN to create long-term business and social impact through the world’s most comprehensive disability inclusion benchmarking and reporting tool, the Disability Equality Index (DEI); best-in-class conferences and programs; expert counsel and engagement; and public policy leadership. Join us at disabilityin.org/AreYouIN #AreYouIN.