Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles has earned the highest score on the 2025 Disability Index, recognized as the “Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion.” This marks the second consecutive time the institution has received this prestigious accolade, highlighting its commitment to fostering accessibility and belonging for employees of all abilities.
The Disability Index is a collaborative effort between the American Association of People with Disabilities and Disability:IN, designed to evaluate organizations based on their disability inclusion policies and practices.
Nicole Mitchell, the chief diversity, inclusion, and wellbeing officer at Cedars-Sinai, emphasized the importance of this recognition. “Disability inclusion is a vital part of our strategy to drive innovation and create a workplace where everyone can thrive,” she stated. “Earning this recognition reflects our ongoing commitment to ensuring people with both apparent and non-apparent disabilities feel supported, valued, and empowered to contribute their best.”
Benchmarking Disability Inclusion
The Disability Index serves as a benchmarking tool for hundreds of companies worldwide, assessing progress across six categories: culture and leadership, enterprise-wide access, employment practices, community engagement, supplier inclusion, and responsible procurement. Cedars-Sinai has made significant strides in enhancing its disability inclusion efforts through various employee-driven initiatives.
One notable initiative is the Supporting Purposeful Accessibility, Community, and Equity (SPACE) employee resource group. SPACE provides a supportive community for employees with disabilities and their allies, promoting dialogue, advocacy, and awareness within the workplace.
In observance of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, the SPACE group hosted an interactive workshop aimed at helping employees establish healthy boundaries. This initiative is designed to support wellbeing, productivity, and respect among colleagues.
Cedars-Sinai continues to celebrate the contributions of its employees with disabilities, actively promoting opportunities to learn about fostering inclusive workplaces. This commitment includes a series of in-person and virtual events that aim to raise awareness and share best practices.
The recognition from the Disability Index reinforces Cedars-Sinai’s dedication to inclusivity, ensuring that all employees, regardless of their abilities, can thrive in a supportive work environment. The medical center’s ongoing efforts serve as a model for other organizations striving to enhance their disability inclusion policies and practices.
