PROVIDENCE, R.I. —Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island (BCBSRI) has been recognized as a World’s Top Disability Inclusive Business for its performance on the 2026 Disability Index®. The designation marks the fifth consecutive year BCBSRI has achieved a top score.  

This recognition reflects BCBSRI’s progress towards building a workplace where all employees can contribute and drive long-term success. Companies scoring at the highest proficiency levels earn recognition as World’s Top Disability Inclusive Businesses. 

The Disability Index is the world’s leading independent benchmarking tool for evaluating corporate disability inclusion and is used by hundreds of leading companies across the globe. 

“Our leadership and associates are dedicated to building a workplace where everyone feels supported and valued,” said Carolyn Belisle, Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility. “This honor recognizes that commitment and motivates us to use insights from our Disability Index scores to continue advancing our inclusion efforts.” 

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

• The Disability Inclusion Network, an employee business resource group that promotes and provides guidance on accessibility and inclusion for people with disabilities and impairments. 
• Project SEARCH, an internship program based at BCBSRI 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 
• Inclusive workplace policies and practices, including hiring, recruitment, and retention efforts, and initiatives that promote physical, digital, and systemic accessibility.
• A highly active supplier engagement program that encourages engagement with disability-owned businesses. 

“This year’s Disability Index shows that leading companies are embedding disability inclusion into the core of how they operate. It’s shaping how businesses design products, build trust, and drive innovation. The companies leading today are the ones building more adaptable, resilient, and future-ready organizations,” said Jill Houghton, President and CEO of Disability:IN.