AEP Named Best Place to Work For Disability Inclusion

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Aug. 23, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- American Electric Power AEP has been named a Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion for the second consecutive year.

The recognition was announced today by the US Business Leadership Network and the American Association of People with Disabilities, which conduct the Disability Equality Index (DEI), a national benchmarking survey and report on disability-friendly employment policies, programs and practices. AEP was one of 110 surveyed companies that together employ 7.2 million workers in 21 sectors of the American economy.

"AEP has a strong commitment to inclusion for all of our employees, and we're honored to be recognized for our efforts to support employees with disabilities," said Nicholas K. Akins, AEP chairman, president and chief executive officer. "We are proud to foster a culture that embraces all types of diversity, which makes us a stronger company and allows us to better serve our customers."

The 2017 DEI survey evaluates cultural factors, leadership, community engagement, support services and workplace policies that promote accessibility.

AEP supports accessibility for workers with disabilities in a number of ways, including workplace accommodations and promoting and funding the activities of an employee resource group called ADAPT (Abled and Disabled Allies Partnering Together). ADAPT facilitates networking and information-sharing for employees and contractors with disabilities and their allies. ADAPT also supports the company's efforts to recruit and accommodate employees with disabilities. 

American Electric Power, based in Columbus, Ohio, is focused on building a smarter energy infrastructure and delivering new technologies and custom energy solutions to our customers. AEP's more than 17,000 employees operate and maintain the nation's largest electricity transmission system and more than 224,000 miles of distribution lines to efficiently deliver safe, reliable power to nearly 5.4 million regulated customers in 11 states. AEP also is one of the nation's largest electricity producers with approximately 33,000 megawatts of diverse generating capacity, including 4,200 megawatts of renewable energy. AEP's family of companies includes utilities AEP Ohio, AEP Texas, Appalachian Power (in Virginia and West Virginia), AEP Appalachian Power (in Tennessee), Indiana Michigan Power, Kentucky Power, Public Service Company of Oklahoma, and Southwestern Electric Power Company (in Arkansas, Louisiana and east Texas). AEP also owns AEP Energy, AEP Energy Partners, AEP OnSite Partners, and AEP Renewables, which provide innovative competitive energy solutions nationwide.

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SOURCE American Electric Power