Lenovo Achieves Top Score on 2024 Disability Equality Index® in US, UK and Brazil
HONG KONG - Lenovo announced it was recognized as a 2024 Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion by the Disability Equality Index. The index is the world’s most comprehensive benchmarking tool used by Fortune 1000 companies to measure disability workplace inclusion. Lenovo has been ranked on the index in the US for four years, and 2024 marks the first time the global technology powerhouse has been recognized in the United Kingdom and Brazil as a best place to work for disability inclusion, a press release stated by Lenovo.
In 2024, 542 corporations, including 71 of the Fortune 100, and 220 firms listed in the Fortune 500, utilized the Disability Equality Index to benchmark their disability inclusion efforts.
“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.
Lenovo is committed to ensuring accessibility and inclusion are instilled in its workforce. Employee resource groups: A Better Lenovo for Everyone (ABLE) in North America and Asia Pacific, People with Disability (PwD) in EMEA, and Lenovo Inclusion Plus (LEIN+) in Latin America, cultivate a culture of disability inclusion by fostering awareness, providing resources, and encouraging innovation.
“I’m proud to see Lenovo’s continued commitment to accessibility and best practices in the US, and also happy to see best practices and recognition spread to the United Kingdom and Brazil,” says Calvin Crosslin, Human Resources VP, Chief Diversity Officer, and Lenovo Foundation President at Lenovo. “It’s truly our employee resource groups that continue to be the catalyst for inclusion at Lenovo. They inspire and inform our programs like the PDO, Business Diversity and philanthropy while empowering the system-level changes driven by our D&I team. While this award helps our business shine, it could not be accomplished without our strong culture of inclusion in the workplace.”
People with disabilities represent 1.3 billion individuals worldwide. At Lenovo, we believe ‘Smarter Technology for All’ means for everyone; that’s why in 2020, Lenovo created its Product Diversity Office (PDO) to embed Diversity & Inclusion into its product design and development process. By 2025, 75% of Lenovo’s products will be vetted by inclusive design experts to ensure they work for everyone, regardless of physical attributes or abilities.
Lenovo has partnered with organizations in Brazil, the UK, and the US to create better access to technology for people with disabilities.
• In Brazil, Lenovo announced at Tech World in October 2023 an AI-powered sign language translation solution for Libras, the official Brazilian sign language. This real-time solution, pioneered by Lenovo researchers together with CESAR, a Brazilian innovation center should transform the lives of countless individuals, among them the 2.3 million people in Brazil who are deaf or hard of hearing.
• Lenovo has partnered with the UK-based Scott-Morgan Foundation to develop assistive technology, including a collaboration with DeepBrain AI to develop an avatar that creates new communication possibilities for people with severe disabilities like ALS.
• In the US, Lenovo’s PDO has collaborated with Governor Morehead School for the Blind to receive feedback on Lenovo’s laptop user experience for people with vision loss, including product donations supporting the students.
