Meijer Achieves Top Score on Disability Equality Index and Receives Its First-Ever Recognition as a Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion

Honored at the Disability:IN Annual Conference; Meijer lauded for outstanding inclusive initiatives

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Sep 26, 2018, 12:23 ET

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Sept. 26, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Meijer is proud to announce it has received a top score of 100 percent on the Disability Equality Index^® (DEI) and, for the first time, received the prestigious recognition as being a Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion – reserved for companies that achieve a top score. Meijer was among 126 companies honored at the Disability:IN Annual Conference.

The DEI is a joint initiative between American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) and the Disability:IN, designed by disability advocates and business leaders as the nation's most trusted comprehensive benchmarking tool for disability inclusion. The Index measures key performance indicators across organizational culture, leadership, accessibility, employment, community engagement, support services and supplier diversity.

Meijer Senior Vice President of Human Resources Michael Rotelle said, "On behalf of all Meijer team members, we are absolutely thrilled to not only achieve a top score on the DEI, but to be named as a Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion – a monumental achievement for our organization. I am very proud of the progress Meijer team members have made over the years to create more inclusivity and opportunities for team members with disabilities. We are humbled to be among so many fine companies that share our devotion to inclusion."

This is the company's second year participating in the DEI study. Last year, Meijer achieved a DEI score of 90 percent. Meijer has long focused on creating a work environment that rewards its team members for fostering programs that promote inclusivity. In 2017, the company launched a new team member resource group called Meijer Disability Awareness & Advocacy Group (mDAAG). The mission of mDAAG is to advance the company's commitment to respecting and valuing diversity and inclusion by service as a resource and liaison for all team members on issues of equality.

Meijer also has extended its disability accommodations policy to include job candidates. Now candidates have the option to request accommodations during an upcoming interview. The company expanded its team member training curriculum by adding WINDMILLS, described as a high-impact attitudinal training program that integrates disability into the spectrum of diversity awareness. Meijer also continues to expand its involvement in state vocational rehabilitation programs.

About Meijer: Meijer is a Grand Rapids, Mich.-based retailer that operates more than 240 supercenters and grocery stores throughout Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky and Wisconsin. A privately-owned and family-operated company since 1934, Meijer pioneered the "one-stop shopping" concept and has evolved through the years to include expanded fresh produce and meat departments, as well as pharmacies, comprehensive apparel departments, pet departments, garden centers, toys and electronics. For additional information on Meijer, please visit www.meijer.com. Follow Meijer on Twitter @twitter.com/Meijer and @twitter.com/MeijerPR or become a fan at www.facebook.com/meijer.