Chemonics Named a Best Place to Work for People with Disabilities for Fourth Consecutive Year

Chemonics International is being honored as one of the “2024 Best Places to Work for People with Disabilities” by Disability:IN for the fourth consecutive year. Disability:IN, the leading nonprofit resource for business disability inclusion worldwide, recognizes the exceptional efforts of companies and individuals dedicated to promoting disability inclusion. This annual accolade highlights Chemonics International’s commitment to fostering a more inclusive corporate community.

Chemonics is one of 542 companies internationally to achieve a top score on the 2024 Disability Equality Index ®. The index evaluates performance in five scored categories: Culture & Leadership, Enterprise-Wide Access, Employment Practices, Community Engagement, and Supplier Diversity. Established in 2015 by Disability:IN in collaboration with the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), the index has grown to be a trusted benchmarking tool and blueprint for creating inclusive workplaces.

Year after year, Chemonics continues to advance and integrate disability inclusion initiatives throughout the company implemented by team members from various projects as well as its employee resource group ChemABLE and its Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

“We meet incredible colleagues throughout our organization whose contributions are critical to our company’s success,” said Efrain Laureano, Chemonics’ senior vice president for its Asia Regional Business Unit and ChemABLE’s executive sponsor. “Creating an enabling working environment that increasingly recognizes the need to provide appropriate accommodations for these staff is helping Chemonics to attract, manage, and fully integrate our entire talent pool.”

As one of six employee resource groups (ERG) at Chemonics, ChemABLE advocates for the global disability community and fosters a supportive environment for employees to engage with colleagues, disability-related content, and valuable resources. The ERG holds virtual and in-person programming and sends a monthly newsletter to all long-term staff highlighting disability perspectives in the news, engagement opportunities, digital resources, and tips on how to utilize accessibility features throughout company platforms. Their leadership brings on-demand expertise and training to colleagues and engages global staff by expanding international focus and resources.

In addition to ChemABLE’s work, Chemonics engages in ongoing collaborations with university partner, Gallaudet University, global leader in education for deaf and hard of hearing students. Through outreach and professional development with students from Gallaudet’s International Development Masters of Arts Degree Program, Chemonics continues to invest in future talent with disabilities.

When building its new Washington, D.C. office in 2021, Chemonics prioritized inclusive design principles and consulted with specialists, including Gallaudet, to ensure the new facilities were accessible and inclusive. The office incorporates a multitude of accommodations addressing physical and sensory needs such as adjustable work stations, a variety of collaborative and independent work spaces designed to ensure access for those with mobility considerations, varying light levels, a designated quiet zone, wellness rooms, and accessible signage including high-contrast and Braille.

In December 2023, Chemonics launched an informational video series created by its Disability Inclusion Technical Working Group to advance disability inclusion in international development work.

These activities—in addition to inclusive policies and other initiatives to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion— contributed to this year’s designation from Disability:IN.

“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. 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,” said Jill Houghton, President and CEO of Disability:IN.