Being a person with a disability can be very challenging in the workplace when companies do not take steps to facilitate inclusion. Committed to this, Pegasystems Inc, the low-code platform provider that brings agility to the world’s largest companies, has ranked among the top-rated companies in the Disability Equality Index (DEI). The index is recognised as one of the most robust tools for assessing the inclusion of people with disabilities.

For the 2022 edition, the index was completed by 415 companies. Each company was given a score on a scale of zero to 100, and those that scored 80 or more were recognised as a “Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion”.

Pega achieved the highest possible scores in all DEI assessment categories, including culture and leadership, company-wide access, employment practices and community engagement. 

Based on the idea of adaptability, Pega supports its people and communities by providing a safe and inclusive work environment. 

As part of its people-centred approach to technology and business, Pega has invested significantly in creating accessible and inclusive user exper as part of its people-centred approach to technology and business.

Key initiatives include: 

• The launch of its Disability Resource Group, which focuses on recruitment, retention, career advancement and social impact, including the creation of partnerships with global and local charities that support people with disabilities.

• The creation of an accessibility team, which works with the design, product and engineering teams to test and provide advice and feedback on software applications.

• Created an internal accessibility portal with role-based training and guidance on understanding and implementing accessibility best practices. 

• Launched the Advanced Allyship programme to help employees learn about altruism, detecting implicit bias, empathy and understanding the challenges of disadvantaged groups. Pega also organised a series of inclusive leadership and workplace sessions for its employees.

Pega also conducted usability testing with users with various visual impairments and worked with third parties on accessibility audits of its low-code Pega platform while recruiting accessibility requirements specialists and native users of assistive technology.

Kate Parente, Pega’s human resources director, said, “We provide accessible work environments for all employees and strive to create an inclusive experience for customers and users of our low-code platform. 

“Our DEI score recognises Pega among the best in the industry for our initiatives and efforts towards inclusion and equity for people with disabilities. We look forward to continuing our journey in cultivating a workplace dedicated to the advancement of people with disabilities.”

The DEI is a joint initiative of the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), the nation’s largest disability rights organisation, and Disability: IN, the global network for disability inclusion in business, to collectively advance disability inclusion.

For more information about the awards programme and the full list of top scorers, click here.