Today, I’m proud to share that Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) was recognized for its continued commitment to inclusion for all. For the second consecutive year, SIE has received a top score of 100 from the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) and Disability:IN on the 2022 Disability Equality Index® (DEI).

Our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion is a core pillar of our culture at Sony Interactive Entertainment. We aim to be the best place where all voices are heard and valued. It starts with us fostering inclusive teams and shaping a vibrant corporate culture with a sense of belonging for our workforce, community, and suppliers around the world. 

Did you know that more than one billion people – about 15% of the global population – currently experience some form of disability. Disability is a part of being human, and it crosses lines of age, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, race, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, and religion. A person’s environment has a huge effect on the experience and extent of disability. Inaccessible environments create barriers that often hinder the full and effective participation of people with disabilities on an equal basis with others.

“We believe that technology and video games play a vital role in creating a world where everyone belongs. The Disability Equality Index helps us assess our business practices to ensure we are offering accessible PlayStation products, services, and experiences for our employees, consumers, and partners, “ said Jim Ryan, CEO & President of Sony Interactive Entertainment.

The DEI was launched in 2015 by Disability:IN and The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) and is acknowledged today as the most robust disability inclusion assessment tool in business. It is a comprehensive benchmarking tool that helps companies build a roadmap of measurable, tangible actions that they can take to achieve disability inclusion and equality. In 2022, 415 corporations, including 69 Fortune 100, 188 Fortune 500, and 227 Fortune 1000 utilized the DEI to benchmark their disability inclusion efforts.

“Disability inclusion is a rapidly expanding aspect of corporate culture, and it’s gratifying to partner with 415 companies on the 2022 Disability Equality Index,” said Jill Houghton, President and CEO of Disability:IN. “These top-scoring companies not only excel in disability inclusion, many are also adopting emerging trends and pioneering measures that can move the disability agenda from accommodation to inclusion and ultimately, genuine belonging.”

While this is an achievement to celebrate and a chance to acknowledge our culture of inclusion and belonging at SIE, we know that there is still a lot of work ahead of us. As we reflect on this journey, I’d like to share some examples of our ongoing efforts:

  • Working to ensure that our benefits, recruitment practices, and employment practices fully consider and include individuals with disabilities.
  • Offering health benefits that cover vision and hearing aids, as well as paid caregiver and medical leave for our employees.
  • Partnering with Disability:IN by joining their #AreYouIN campaign to advance Disability Inclusion.
  • Continued collaboration as Sony Group with The Valuable 500 to promote the participation of disabled people in business.
  • Launching a comprehensive webpage for our PlayStation community to learn more about PlayStation and Accessibility at a glance.  
  • Engaging with our community partners, non-profit organizations, and experts in the disability field to continuously explore ways to improve our products and services. 
  • Constantly listening to our diverse workforce at SIE through ABLE@PlayStation, an internal group of employees working together to promote accessibility awareness by providing insights and guidance to global departments and cross-functional teams.

You can also find a recent, more detailed summary of our progress here. 

Sony Interactive Entertainment is proud to receive a score of 100 on the 2022 DEI and is committed to fostering an inclusive workplace for its employees. To learn more about career opportunities at SIE, visit PlayStation Careers. 

About the Disability Equality Index® 

The Disability Equality Index (DEI) is a comprehensive benchmarking tool that helps companies build a roadmap of measurable, tangible actions that they can take to achieve disability inclusion and equality. Each company receives a score, on a scale of zero (0) to 100, with those earning 80 and above recognized as a “Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion.” The DEI is a joint initiative of the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), the nation’s largest disability rights organization, and Disability:IN, the global business disability inclusion network, to collectively advance the inclusion of people with disabilities. The organizations are complementary and bring unique strengths that make the project relevant and credible to corporations and the disability community. The tool was developed by the DEI Advisory Committee, a diverse group of business leaders, policy experts, and disability advocates. Learn more at: www.DisabilityEqualityIndex.org

About the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD)

AAPD is a convener, connector, and catalyst for change, increasing the political and economic power for people with disabilities. As a national cross-disability rights organization AAPD advocates for full civil rights for the 60+ million Americans with disabilities. Learn more at: www.aapd.com

About Disability:IN® 

Disability:IN is a global organization driving disability inclusion and equality in business. More than 400 corporations partner with Disability:IN to create long-term business and social impact through the world’s most comprehensive disability inclusion benchmarking and reporting tool, the Disability Equality Index (DEI); best-in-class conferences and programs; expert counsel and engagement; and public policy leadership. Join us at disabilityin.org/AreYouIN #AreYouIN.