Pitt is a top employer for people with disabilities, according to the National Organization on Disability

Becoming an employer of choice for individuals with disabilities ought to be a priority for every institution, says Leigh Culley, director of Disability Resources and Services (DRS) in Pitt’s Office for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.

“Employers who prioritize disability inclusion foster a diverse workforce that brings a wide range of perspectives, skills and innovation,” she says.

Culley (EDUC ’02G) and her team at DRS have done more than talk. For their efforts to make the University accessible — and the efforts of others, including the Office of Human Resources and the Office of Planning and Design — Pitt has been recognized for the first time with the Leading Disability Employer Seal by the National Organization on Disability (NOD).

The honor was announced Sept. 27 in advance of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, celebrated each October.

Only 59 organizations received the seal for 2024. The University of Pittsburgh was the only institution of higher learning to be honored.

Other major employers to receive the seal this year include the American Heart Association, AT&T, Hilton, Toyota Motor North America, Walgreens and Wells Fargo.

The recognition is a “tremendous achievement” for the University, Culley says. “This recognition highlights the University’s ongoing efforts to create an inclusive and equitable workplace for employees of all abilities and its commitment to fostering a welcoming environment.”

A spokesperson for NOD says the annual award recognizes employers with “exceptional disability inclusion practices and policies.”

The seal is granted based upon metrics recorded by NOD’s Employment Tracker tool, an assessment guide that evaluates key business practices related to hiring, retention and advancement of people with disabilities. NOD says the accolade reflects Pitt’s disability inclusion efforts in areas including workforce strategy, talent outcome metrics and sourcing, climate and culture, people practices, and workplace tools and accessibility.

“We’re incredibly grateful to the University of Pittsburgh for its commitment to disability inclusion,” says Beth Sirull, chief executive officer and president of the National Organization on Disability, in a prepared statement. “We believe that diversity fuels innovation and growth, and Pitt embodies this vision in action. We applaud its efforts and investments to provide pathways to fulfilling careers for Americans with disabilities.”

Carl Sell, assistant director of the TRIO McNair Scholars Program in the Office of the Provost, says he had never needed a disability accommodation until shortly before he first entered the workforce. At a previous university position, Sell found the process confusing. “It just didn’t seem like it was spoken about in terms of staff and faculty accommodations,” he says. “I didn’t actually know that I could or should submit an accommodations request for my work.”

In contrast, says Sell, who has a medical condition and a vision impairment, Pitt openly promotes the availability of accommodations for staff and faculty as well as students. “It was incredibly easy, at least for me, to have my accommodations implemented,” he says. “I feel like most of my colleagues and my supervisor are more than willing to work with me … which is something I’ve only experienced at Pitt.”

Pitt has a longstanding commitment to accessibility and inclusion, says Culley, who has worked for the University for more than two decades. “Over the years, we have pursued initiatives to enhance the experience for employees with disabilities, including increased focus on the accommodation process, creating accessible workplace environments, fostering disability awareness and training,” she says. “These collective efforts have strengthened our role as an inclusive employer of choice.”