In support of our ongoing goal to improve accessibility at Arcadis and within the communities in which we operate, Arcadis is proud to announce that it has joined the Valuable 500, a partnership of more than 500 companies worldwide committed to accelerating inclusion for the one in five people living with a disability.
The Valuable 500 drives change by transforming business systems to transform society. By taking Synchronized Collective Action and committing to accountability at the highest levels, each Valuable 500 member company demonstrates its intention to prioritize disability inclusion. Valuable 500 also supports these commitments by recommending appropriate business disability experts and making connections to support the organization’s goals in particular areas of disability inclusion in which specialized expertise and consultancy is needed.
Arcadis is committed to improving quality of life for all global citizens through better understanding of human experience, innovating its work to develop accessible solutions, and respecting human rights. The company is committed to leading by example by maintaining a diverse workforce, engaging with responsible and diverse suppliers, fostering and growing a safe and inclusive community, and providing high quality services to our clients.
All of this is culminated through five affinity groups that offer grass-roots engagement, education, and support for our people: Access and Neurodiversity, Age, Ethnicity and Heritage, Gender, and Pride. This new partnership with Valuable 500 will be led by the Access and Neurodiversity affinity group.
To that end, Arcadis has pledged to:
- Provide accessible application processes, including alternative formats and accommodations, to ensure equal access for all candidates.
- Offer reasonable adjustments during the selection process, and ensure policies are clear, consistent, and readily available for new hires, current Arcadians, and line managers.
- Establish partnerships with disability and neurodiversity organizations to gain insights and guidance on improving our selection process and attracting diverse talent.
- Train our recruiters and hiring managers on inclusive talent attraction strategies, including how to effectively engage and communicate with individuals with disabilities and neurodivergence.
- Create awareness amongst line managers about how to effectively and empathetically manage employees with disabilities (seen/unseen) and neurodivergence.
- Improve the accessibility of its internal, external, and operational digital products.
- Establish Arcadis as a Business Disability Forum (BDF) leader and seek ways to globalize relevant best practices across regions.
“Inclusivity is critical when it comes to investing in the workforce, building trust, nurturing innovation, and seeking the best solutions for clients and the wider community. Making room for everyone, regardless of disability, background, faith, race, age, and gender, is something that benefits us all. By raising awareness, providing educational opportunities, and offering resources to our employees, we are committed to making our world a better and more inclusive place for everyone.” - Edel Christie, Chief Growth Officer
About Valuable 500
Valuable 500 is the global business partnership of 500 companies working together to end disability exclusion.
- 500+ companies driving change through Synchronized Collective Action and accountability.
- Unified in the purpose to accelerate inclusion for the one in five people living with a disability.
- Valuable 500 uses the disability definition set out in the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).
- This broad definition adopts what is known as the social model of disability. The UN Convention seeks to alter social attitudes by ensuring that governments, individuals and organizations recognize that those with disabilities have the same human rights and fundamental freedoms as all other persons.
