ATLANTA, July 13, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The 2021
Disability Equality Index (DEI) has rated Southern Company as one
of the "Best Places to Work for Disability Inclusion." For the
fifth consecutive year, Southern Company joins an elite group of
companies with a 100 percent score on the DEI for a strong
dedication to leading disability-inclusion practices.
Every year since the DEI's inception in 2015, Southern Company
has been listed among the top-ranked companies and each of the past
five years has earned a score of 100 percent.
"Southern Company is honored to be recognized as one of the Best
Places to Work for Disability Inclusion. This recognition is a
testament to creating an inclusive culture where every employee can
reach his or her full potential," said Sloane Drake, senior
vice president of Human Resources. "We believe diversity in all
forms is one of our core strengths, and we are committed to
advancing disability inclusion and equality across our businesses.
Many of our employee resource groups, along with our recruiting
organization and supplier diversity personnel engage with the
disability community through programs, education and community
service."
The DEI is a joint initiative of the American Association of
People with Disabilities (AADP) and Disability:IN that measures
policies and practices on a scale from zero to 100 with a score of
100 awarded only to those companies deemed most inclusive. As the
nation's most trusted and comprehensive benchmarking tool for
disability inclusion, the DEI provides an objective assessment of
overall business practices.
"We are so pleased to partner with 319 companies this year on
the Disability Equality Index. Part of corporate commitment to
disability inclusion is recognizing your stance and using it as an
'aha moment' to drive the business investments needed to scale
change," said Jill Houghton,
president and chief executive officer of Disability:IN. "Inclusion
and accessibility cuts across the enterprise, from cultural
representation in the workforce, to technology acceleration, to
incorporating supply chain diversity. These are tangible
opportunities that leading companies can leverage to create
sustainable impact for their business and brand."
About Southern Company
Southern Company (NYSE: SO) is
a leading energy company serving 9 million customers through its
subsidiaries. The company provides clean, safe, reliable and
affordable energy through electric operating companies in three
states, natural gas distribution companies in four states, a
competitive generation company serving wholesale customers across
America, a leading distributed energy infrastructure company, a
fiber optics network and telecommunications services. Southern
Company brands are known for excellent customer service, high
reliability and affordable prices below the national average. For
more than a century, we have been building the future of energy and
developing the full portfolio of energy resources, including
carbon-free nuclear, advanced carbon capture technologies, natural
gas, renewables, energy efficiency and storage technology. Through
an industry-leading commitment to innovation and a low-carbon
future, Southern Company and its subsidiaries develop the
customized energy solutions our customers and communities require
to drive growth and prosperity. Our uncompromising values ensure we
put the needs of those we serve at the center of everything we do
and govern our business to the benefit of our world. Our corporate
culture and hiring practices have been recognized nationally by the
U.S. Department of Defense, G.I. Jobs magazine, DiversityInc, Black
Enterprise, Forbes and the Women's Choice Award. To learn more,
visit www.southerncompany.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.
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SOURCE Southern Company