Voya Financial Promotes Disability Inclusion at NYSE Getting to Equal Event
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Voya Financial, Inc. (NYSE: VOYA), reinforced its commitment to disability inclusion in the workplace as co-sponsor of a recent symposium entitled “Getting to Equal: The Disability Inclusion Initiative.” Held on Oct. 29 at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), the Getting to Equal Symposium was sponsored by Voya, Accenture and the NYSE, and brought together business and civic leaders, as well as disability inclusion advocates, for thought-provoking conversations about employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities, and what corporations can do to serve this segment of the population.
“At Voya Financial, we know that disability inclusion — everywhere, including the workplace — is good for our customers, our employees and society,” said Voya Financial Chairman and CEO Rodney O. Martin, Jr. “People with special needs and disabilities have a right to equal opportunities — and they have a right to unlimited opportunities.”
Connecticut State Sen. Ted Kennedy, Jr., shared his insights on employment and the Disability Equality Index, a national benchmarking tool that helps companies assess their disability inclusion policies and practices. He was joined by New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli and New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer.
“People with disabilities present business and industry with unique opportunities in labor force diversity, corporate culture and as a large consumer market eager to know which businesses authentically support their goals and dreams,” said Sen. Kennedy. “Leading companies are accelerating disability inclusion as the next frontier of corporate social responsibility and mission-driven investing.”
Also in attendance were corporate leaders from companies such as Verizon, Microsoft and CVS Health, as well as nonprofits focused on supporting people with disabilities — Creative Spirit, Disability: IN and the National Down Syndrome Society. Speakers and panel discussions covered a variety of topics including the impact of disability inclusion on a company’s bottom line, uncovering new talent through diversity and inclusion and advocating for the special needs and disability communities.
“It was an honor to host Voya Financial, Accenture and corporate and civic leaders at the NYSE to inspire participation in the movement for disability inclusion,” said NYSE Group President Stacey Cunningham. “This event exemplifies the collaborative work our listed companies and greater community can do together to create a productive, inclusive business environment.”
During the event, Accenture General Counsel Chad Jerdee presented data from a new research report conducted in partnership with Disability:IN and the American Association of People with Disabilities. The report analyzed companies participating in the Disability Equality Index (DEI) over the past four years. On average — when compared with the other organizations in the study — the 45 leading companies had 28 percent higher revenue, double the net income and 30 percent higher economic profit margins over a four-year period.
“This symposium brought the business and disability communities together at a pivotal time to take action,” said Jill Houghton, president and CEO of Disability:IN. “It’s confirmed that companies that invest in disability inclusion outperform their peers. Not only is including people with disabilities the right thing to do, it also makes good business — ringing a loud bell for corporations across all industries.”
The Getting to Equal event was held in October, which is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). NDEAM celebrates the contributions of employees with disabilities and highlights the value of a workforce that is inclusive of their skills and talents. Voya continually shows its commitment to disability inclusion by engaging with the disabilities and special needs community, particularly throughout NDEAM.
To learn more about Diversity and Inclusion at Voya, visit voya.com.
About Voya Financial ®
Voya Financial, Inc. (NYSE: VOYA), helps Americans plan, invest and protect their savings — to get ready to retire better. Serving the financial needs of approximately 14.3 million individual and institutional customers in the United States, Voya is a Fortune 500 company that had $8.6 billion in revenue in 2017. The company had $543 billion in total assets under management and administration as of Sept. 30, 2018. With a clear mission to make a secure financial future possible — one person, one family, one institution at a time — Voya’s vision is to be America’s Retirement Company®. Certified as a “Great Place to Work” by the Great Place to Work® Institute, Voya is equally committed to conducting business in a way that is socially, environmentally, economically and ethically responsible. Voya has been recognized as one of the 2018 World’s Most Ethical Companies® by the Ethisphere Institute; one of the 2018 World’s Most Admired Companies by Fortune magazine; as a member of the Bloomberg Gender Equality Index; and as a “Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion” on the Disability Equality Index by Disability:IN. For more information, visit voya.com. Follow Voya Financial on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter @Voya.
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Nicole Vasile, 860-839-1589
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