Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) has been recognized as a "Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion" by the Disability Equality Index. As a top-scorer, LLNL is recognized for advancing inclusion practices in the workplace.
The Disability Equality Index is the world's most comprehensive benchmarking tool for Fortune 1000 scope companies to measure disability workplace inclusion inside their organization and to assess performance across industry sectors. See the full slate of awardees here.
The index was launched in 2015 in the U.S. as a joint initiative of Disability:IN and The American Association of People with Disabilities (ADA) and is acknowledged today as the most robust disability inclusion assessment tool in business. The index scores employers by measuring key areas: culture and leadership, enterprise-wide access, employment practices, community engagement, supplier diversity and responsible procurement. In 2024, 542 corporations utilized the index to benchmark their disability inclusion efforts.
"On the 10th anniversary of the Disability Equality Index, we're extremely proud of the 542 national and international companies that are taking a proactive role in leading progress towards disability inclusion, setting a benchmark for others to follow," said Jill Houghton, president and CEO of Disability:IN. "Their dedication to fostering inclusive workplaces not only attracts top talent but also drives innovation and creates sustainable performance in today's global market. Together, we are creating a future where everyone can contribute and thrive."
The Laboratory's Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accountability (IDEA) Office fosters a workplace culture that is inclusive, collaborative and supportive of multi-disciplinary teams to solve challenges in national security. LLNL's IDEA Office actively supports employees by lifting up their unique abilities and perspectives so they can succeed in reaching their full potential at the Laboratory.
"Receiving a top-scorer recognition by the Disability Equality Index marks a meaningful step in our ongoing journey toward creating a truly accessible and inclusive environment at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory," said Sashalla Lemond, Workforce Engagement manager for IDEA. "We are committed to fostering a workplace where every individual feels a strong sense of belonging and is empowered to contribute their best. Our progress in accessibility is driven by the unwavering efforts of our team members and the exceptional contributions from our Abilities Champions employee resource group. We continue to evolve and enhance our accessibility and inclusion practices, ensuring that LLNL remains a place where diverse talents thrive and innovate."
Globally, people with disabilities represent 1.3 billion individuals. Disability is a natural part of the human experience and crosses lines of age, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, race, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status and other demographics. Disability:IN recognizes that there is no one "right way" to practice inclusion. It recommends companies implement forward-thinking disability inclusion practices that are inclusive for everyone.
There are currently 12 employee resource groups (ERGs) at LLNL that support employees in myriad ways, including professional development, recruitment, networking, mentoring, internships, scholarships and leadership opportunities. LLNL's Abilities Champions (AC) ERG promotes the inclusion of individuals with physical, psychological, developmental and neurocognitive differences as valuable contributors to the Laboratory's mission. One of AC's founding programs was their Neurodiversity Initiative and today their continuing mission is to provide support for as many disabilities as possible.
"As members of the Abilities Champions ERG, we are passionate advocates for our disability community at LLNL," said Abbie Warrick, an engineer supporting the Lab's Strategic Deterrence Directorate and a leader with the AC ERG. "We work to create an accessible environment that allows people to bring their authentic self to work and operate at their full potential."
LLNL's AC goals include expanding the disability-affirming culture at the Laboratory to improve accessibility, increase disability awareness and acceptance, and foster a thriving disability community by hosting events and supporting an employment pipeline. An example of this is LLNL Neurodiversity Internships. The Neurodiversity Internship is a collaborative effort between the LLNL AC ERG, California Regional Centers, colleges and universities, local schools and community partners. These internships provide opportunities for neurodivergent individuals to explore career paths at the Laboratory while continuing their educational growth.
To learn more about IDEA at LLNL, visit the web
