Disability Friendly Employer Award

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ A cover image of two colleagues, one using a wheelchair, collaborating on their laptops in an office space with phrase - Celebrating National Disability Employment Awareness Month

Disability-Friendly Employer Award

​​​ ​
​​

​​​​​​About this Award

​This award recognizes local businesses that demonstrate a commitment to hiring, supporting, and advancing people with disabilities. Gold, Silver and Bronze winners will be determined based on the application, supporting documentation provided and total points scored.


Eligibility Requirements

  • Employer must be located within the geographic boundaries of Alachua County.
  • Award open to private, non-profit and public employers, with the exception of Alachua County government and City of Gainesville government agencies.
  • Applications open on Monday, June 15, 2026.
  • Deadline to apply is 11:59 pm on Tuesday, August 18, 2026.

About the Application

The application has 3 sections, 4 questions in each section. Each question can earn up to 10 points, each section can score a maximum of 40 points.

  1. Hiring & Recruitment Practices (40 points total)
    • Job postings showing disability-inclusive language
    • Descriptions of hiring initiatives targeting people with disabilities
    • Accessibility policies for interviews or applications
    • Documentation of partnerships or programs to recruit people with disabilities

  2. Career Growth & Employee Support (40 points total)
    • Details of mentorship, leadership, or advancement programs for employees with disabilities
    • Documentation of employees with disabilities in leadership or management roles
    • Benefits plans that include disability-specific support (e.g., flexible work, disability leave)
    • Documentation of an Employee Resource Group or similar support network

  3. ​​Commitment to Disability Inclusion & Advocacy (40 points total)
    • Public statements, reports, or internal policies that promote disability inclusion
    • Records of feedback initiatives (e.g., surveys, listening sessions) with employees with disabilities
    • Evidence of engagement with disability advocacy organizations or community efforts
    • Documentation showing ongoing efforts to improve inclusion year-round
​

Scoring

Each question will be assigned a score from 0 to 10 based on the response and supporting documentation submitted:

  • ​0 points      ​​​=    Not at all
  • 5 points     ​ =    Partially meets
  • ​10 points    =    ​Fully meets
​

Appropriate and sufficient documentation must be provided to support your response. Incomplete or missing documentation will affect your final score.

Award categories (maximum score possible is 120 points):

  • Gold:      ​​​  ​105-120 total points    (min 35 points per section)
  • Silver:       90-104 total points​      ​(min 30 points per section)
  • Bronze:    75-89 points        ​    ​    ​ ​(min 25 points per section)
​ ​

Applications will be reviewed and scored by the Alachua County Citizens Disability Advisory Committee and Equal Opportunity staff. All decisions are final.

​