PROVIDENCE, R.I.  — Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island (BCBSRI) has once again been named a Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion, earning a score of 100 on the 2025 Disability Index®. This marks the fourth consecutive year that BCBSRI has received a top score, demonstrating that BCBSRI has sustained its commitment to creating an inclusive and accessible workplace.

The Index, produced by Disability:IN, is the leading independent, third-party resource for the annual, confidential benchmarking of disability inclusion policies and programs in business. Now trusted by over 70% of the Fortune 100 and nearly half of the Fortune 500, the tool helps companies determine data-driven actions that can achieve tangible business impact.

“We’re honored to once again be recognized as a top scorer for our commitment to disability inclusion,” said Carolyn Belisle, Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility. “Our associates are dedicated to advocating for disability inclusion and this honor motivates us to continue building a workplace where everyone feels supported and valued.”

BCBSRI’s high score reflects a comprehensive array of programs and policies that support a culture of accessibility and belonging, including: 

• The Disability Inclusion Network, an employee group that promotes and provides guidance on accessibility and inclusion for people with disabilities and impairments.
• Project SEARCH, an internship program based at BCSRI and celebrating its 10^th anniversary that prepares high school students with intellectual or developmental disabilities for post-graduation employment.
• Grants and in-kind support for community organizations that serve people with disabilities, including Special Olympics Rhode Island, Best Buddies Rhode Island, and Meeting Street.
• Inclusive hiring, recruitment, and retention practices; a supplier diversity program that solicits disability-owned businesses; and removal of physical, digital, and systemic accessibility barriers for associates, customers, and community members. 
• A commitment to disability inclusion from BCBSRI leadership, including having executive level associates who are visible allies of the disability community.

The 2025 Index evaluated companies across these key categories: Culture & Leadership; Enterprise-Wide Access; Employment Practices (benefits; recruitment; employment, education, retention & advancement; accommodations); Community Engagement; Supplier Diversity; and Responsible Procurement.

"As we release this year’s Disability Index report, we celebrate the continued progress made by businesses around the world. Today, hundreds of the world’s leading companies are using this tool to benchmark and drive their disability inclusion efforts. Together, we are creating a global economy accelerated by disability inclusion," said Jill Houghton, President and CEO of Disability:IN.