United Airlines has been recognised for the fifth consecutive year as a top-scoring company and best place to work for disability inclusion, with a perfect score of 100 on the 2020 Disability Equality Index (DEI). The 2020 DEI measured United’s inclusion criteria, including culture & leadership, enterprise-wide access, employment practices, community engagement and supplier diversity.
“United is committed to creating an inclusive workforce that engages and advocates for people with disabilities,” said Jessica Kimbrough, United’s chief officer for diversity, equity and inclusion. “We’re proud of our leading diversity and inclusion initiatives and will continue to do our part to ensure that our company is as diverse as the communities we serve.”
This recognition highlights United’s efforts to build a more inclusive workplace and travel experience for all people, through actions including developing products and services that specifically cater to those with disabilities. For example, in 2019 United debuted ta range of accessibility features on its seatback IFE systems, which accommodate any level of vision, and provides support for customers with hearing and mobility issues.
United is also implementing employee training. The airline’s Accessible Travel Advisory Board is comprised of a group of experts living with disabilities, who meet regularly to review the airline’s policies and procedures for passengers with disabilities. They also travel throughout United’s system, hosting learning sessions and providing accessibility training to employees, vendors and airport partners.
United also has six Business Resource Groups (BRGs) that include 26 chapters, more than 16,000 members worldwide and more than 150 voluntary BRG leaders, to ensure all people have a seat at the table, with their voice heard. Bridge, United’s BRG for employees with disabilities and allies, works to create awareness around the experience of having a visible or hidden disability and to provide education and support for internal departments focused on hiring, developing and retaining talent. Bridge also advises and counsels company leaders on the impact specific policies and practices may have on employees and customers within the people with disabilities community.
The airline also works with partner organisations to engage people from all backgrounds to build a more diverse aviation industry. United has a long-standing relationship with the Special Olympics to provide workplace experiences for those with ‘intellectual disabilities’, as well to implement employee training scenarios to make air travel a positive experience for these individuals.
United also continues to engage disability-owned and service-disabled, veteran-owned businesses in our procurement outreach process and supports certification of these businesses in partnership with DisabilityIN.
United is an equal opportunity employer, providing its employees with a non-discriminatory work environment that promotes open and honest communication and embraces dignity, respect and diversity in all aspects of its business operations.
United says that through its diversity and inclusion initiatives, the airline demonstrates its commitment to engaging with and advocating for workplace diversity, including the LGBT community, people from multicultural backgrounds, women, veterans and people with disabilities.
