New Editions, USBLN, AAPD and Other Founding Members Announce Release of Disability Equality Index (DEI) Website

Falls Church, VA, October 3, 2014 – New Editions’ President, Shelia Newman, joined other Founding Members in the unveiling of the Disability Equality Index (DEI) (www.disabilityequalityindex.org) at the US Business Leadership Network (USBLN) annual conference in Orlando, FL this week. The DEI is a national, transparent benchmarking survey tool that offers Fortune 1000 businesses an opportunity to measure their disability inclusion policies and practices.

Working with the USBLN, AAPD and other corporate founding members, New Editions staff developed the website and survey database. Ms. Newman described her commitment to the DEI this way: “I have always championed inclusion and diversity. Twenty-five percent of New Editions’ employees have disabilities so when I heard about this unique tool that has the potential to increase employment opportunities for people with disabilities, I decided to participate by donating time and resources to this effort. All the other Founding Members are Fortune 1000 companies, but New Editions is a small business and I want other small businesses to know that people with disabilities can contribute to the success of a business. 

The DEI showcases the work of our outstanding lead programmer, who happens to have a visual impairment. Nick Truesdell, who uses assistive technology to program, and the team of designers, testers and web developers have worked tirelessly to create a user-friendly product.”

Businesses can now register for the survey on the website and will be able to complete the survey the week of October 27, 2014.