Casino-entertainment giant Caesars Entertainment announced Wednesday that it received a top score on this year's Disability Equality Index (DEI), a joint initiative of the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) and DisabilityIN. Up from 80 on last year's index, the company received a 100, marking it as one of the best places to work for disability inclusion. The company described the DEI as "the world's most comprehensive benchmarking tool to measure disability workplace inclusion."
Tom Reeg, CEO of Caesars Entertainment, said: "We are committed to embracing disability inclusion as a key facet of our overall Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion strategy. We consistently review current practices concerning disability inclusion, and we're honored to be recognized with a top score on this year's Disability Equality Index. We know how important inclusion is, and we will continue to work toward progress for our team members, guests, and the communities in which we operate."
Caesars Entertainment is proud to have earned a 100% on the Disability Equality Index by @DisabilityIN.
— Caesars Entertainment (@CaesarsEnt) July 20, 2022
Visit https://t.co/FLcjBfCCVj for details. #DEI2022 pic.twitter.com/Kg6B6H7UfT
This year, Caesars Entertainment launched AVID, a new business impact group (BIG) for team members across the company's 50+ properties. AVID, which stands for Awareness of Visible and Invisible Disabilities, is a group dedicated to achieving inclusion and equity for those with disabilities by focusing on business development, community service, networking, and professional development goals.
"AVID is a virtual forum where Team Members with disabilities, caregivers, and their allies can work together to serve the disability community and create a work environment that is welcoming and accessible for all," the company explained in a press release.
Heather Rapp, SVP of Corporate Social Responsibility for Caesars Entertainment, stated: "We're thrilled to receive a top score of 100 on this year's DEI. The increase in our score from last year indicates the hard work our team has put in to make Caesars a welcoming workplace for everyone. We look forward to continuing our work in this area and welcoming more diverse Team Members to the Empire."
The company further stated that its commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is an "integral piece" of its CSR framework, PEOPLE PLANET PLAY. "Caesars is committed to continuing to bridge the gap and embrace diversity and inclusion by setting measurable actions in all aspects of the business. The company's diversity, equity, and inclusion strategy encompass five pillars, including team members, suppliers and contractors, communities, guests, and advocacy,” officials concluded.