In honor of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), BD Chairman, CEO and President Tom Polen has joined a coalition of more than 70 top CEOs from across the country in signing a letter expressing our commitment to creating an inclusive environment for associates with diverse abilities. 

The CEO Letter on Disability Inclusion is part of a broader campaign organized by the nonprofit Disability:IN called “AreYouIN.” In signing the letter, BD is committing to take the following actions and urging other companies to do the same:

• Participate in the Disability Equality Index (DEI), the leading corporate benchmarking tool for disability equality, which is administered by Disability:IN and the American Association of People with Disabilities;
• Share important information on disability inclusion that details its impact on business performance; and
• Ensure that they’re aware of increasing investor interest in understanding how companies are inclusive of people with disabilities.

“Fostering an inclusive workplace where every employee can bring their whole self to work and reach their full potential is an important part of our BD culture and helps drive us in fulfilling our purpose of Advancing the world of health – for all people,” said Polen. “I’m honored to join other CEOs in committing to advance disability inclusion in the workplace, and encourage other leaders to do the same.”

Held each October, NDEAM aims to educate about disability employment issues and celebrate the many and varied contributions of America's workers with disabilities. BD strives to create an inclusive workplace environment for our associates around the world with diverse abilities, and advance disability inclusion through community activities and partnerships. In July 2021, BD was named a Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion for the third year in a row, earning a score of 90 on the DEI.

One of the ways BD is driving disability inclusion is through our Limitless Associate Resource Group (ARG). It helps raise awareness of people’s unique abilities and creates a supportive environment where those impacted are continually advancing to their fullest potential, and BD’s ability to serve the broader community is enhanced.

“We congratulate Tom Polen for joining IN and signing the CEO Letter on Disability Inclusion,” says Jill Houghton, President & CEO of Disability:IN. “Inclusive leadership drives sustainable growth and performance by including the estimated 1+ billion people around the world with a disability. We look forward to working together in building an inclusive economy for all.”