Everyone is included.

U.S. Department of Labor statistics shows that in 2018, 30% of people ages 16–64 with a disability were employed, compared to 74% of those without one. Equality, diversity, inclusion, respect, social responsibility are foundational to who we are. This includes providing career opportunities for individuals with disabilities so they can contribute to, and take part in, our efforts to use the power of technology to enable people, businesses and society to innovate and drive positive change. October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month. Learn how Verizon goes beyond to make a difference for persons with disabilities year-round. 

Long recognized as a leader committed to diversity and inclusion, one of our most important objectives is to create a collaborative, inclusive and diverse environment. For the fourth year in a row, Verizon earned a 100% Disability Equality Index (DEI) rating, recognizing us as one of the 2019 Best Places to Work for People with Disabilities. The DEI, a joint initiative between Disability:IN and the American Association for People with Disabilities (AAPD), is a comprehensive benchmarking tool that gives U.S. businesses an objective assessment on their disability inclusion policies and practices. Our 100% rating means we received the top score in every category, including culture and leadership, enterprise-wide access, employment practices, community engagement, and supplier diversity.

V Teamer Rhonda B., a supervisor for Public Policy, Law & Security, shares her work experiences as part of a feature article in Careers and the DisABLED. The article highlights a number of people with disabilities working for companies on the forefront of tech acceleration. Rhonda not only gives her whole self to her job but finds time to support others as well. She is currently president of our DIAL Employee Resource Group and is involved with a number of groups on accessibility issues. As president of DIAL she works to open the channel of communications to help the company understand more about disabilities, visible or invisible, and what processes to put in place for new hires with disabilities. Outside the workplace she also shows her support, mentoring college students with disabilities.

Check out some of the ways we make a difference for Persons with Disabilities.

DIAL. Our Employee Resource Group, Disabilities Issues Awareness Leaders (DIAL), enables V Teamers to be advocates for individuals with disabilities and raise awareness regarding equal access issues for employees and customers with disabilities.

Verizon Media Group. In an effort to expand representation, Verizon Media Group teamed up with the National Disability Leadership Alliance and Getty Images to develop a comprehensive set of guidelines for how to authentically reflect people with disabilities.

Accessibility Governance Team. This team acts as a voice for the community and works to ensure our products and services are accessible for people with disabilities.

Partnerships. Employment Horizons works to help people with disabilities achieve their career goals and we partnered with them by creating jobs for workers to test and refurbish equipment for reuse in our network. We also work with organizations like Diversity Jobs and Getting Hired to help identify individuals and veterans with disabilities that match the experience and skills we look for. We also work with Creative Spirit, a non-profit organization that assists those with intellectual and developmental disabilities in their job search. Our campus recruitment team works with universities that have support services and recruitment programs for students with disabilities. In partnership with DisabilityIN and National Business Disability Council (NBDC) we host a two-week winter internship that includes students with disabilities - WInterns.

National Accessibility Customer Service. Our NACS Team services customers who have visual, hearing, dexterity or mobile impairments.

We’ve also received the following accolades for our efforts:

• Working Mother Research Institute named us as a leading organization on Diversity Best Practices Inclusion Index.
• Readers Choice Top 50 Employer by Careers & The Disabled Magazine.

Learn more about working here.