CGI (TSX: GIB.A) (NYSE: GIB) today announces Steve Thorn, president of its UK operation has won the Executive Disability Champion award for his commitment to disability in business at the 2016 Disability–smart Awards, hosted by Nationwide and organised by the Business Disability Forum (BDF). Steve has been instrumental in promoting disability in the workplace at CGI.
CGI understands that there are many roles in IT services that with minimal adjustments are very well suited to those with a disability or impairment, creating fulfilling careers for its members. Steve, along with other CGI leaders, is a champion of CGI’s initiatives to support its members working with a disability and has played a key role in ensuring adequate funding, communication and focus on disability within the company including signing the Accessible Technology Charter.
CGI recognises that the majority of people affected by a disability or impairment aren’t born with it, but acquire it, and CGI’s activities are geared to support members through such events whether they directly affect them or a dependent. CGI’s key disability focused initiatives include:
- UK Capability Programme: is CGI’s strategy to become disability confident. The objectives of the programme include: using the disability standard as mechanism to improve our awareness of disability; supporting the on-going activities of the capability network; developing a more comprehensive end-to-end recruitment function; providing greater ICT accessibility; developing enhanced communication and improving our external standing with clients and suppliers. Steve is the senior champion of the programme.
- Capability Network: is a group of CGI members that regularly meet to share their experiences with one another. Steve has pushed for the inclusion of subgroups focused on mental health issues and for those members providing care for a loved one.
- Disability Working Group: is a group established to ensure CGI upholds the Disability Standard with senior leaders from each area of the company. Steve chairs the group and is focused on using the standard to increase awareness and support for its goals.
Steve Thorn, President of UK Operations, CGI said: “Having personal experience of disability I’m passionate about providing support to our own members and ensuring that all the services we deliver are designed with the widest range of users in mind. As we push for greater digital transformation it is crucial that some of the gains and savings are redeployed to ensure those with a disability are not left out. Both employment and digital services should be accessible for all.”
The Disability-smart awards are awarded to companies and individuals that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to employing, working with and doing business with disabled people. David Goodchild, Joint Interim CEO at Business Forum Disability Forum said: “Steve has demonstrated a strong commitment to supporting CGI in its journey toward becoming disability confident through real, positive action. Steve was a driving force behind CGI’s recent signing of the Technology Taskforce’s Accessible Technology Charter, and the development of CGI’s Capability Network. It is for these reasons that the Disability-smart Awards judging panel decided to recognise his passion and determination with the award for Executive Disability Champion.”
About CGI
Founded in 1976, CGI Group Inc. is the fifth largest independent information technology and business process services firm in the world. Approximately 65,000 professionals serve thousands of global clients from offices and delivery centers across the Americas, Europe and Asia Pacific, leveraging a comprehensive portfolio of services including high-end business and IT consulting, systems integration, application development and maintenance, infrastructure management as well as a wide range of proprietary solutions. With annual revenue in excess of C$10 billion and an order backlog of C$20 billion, CGI shares are listed on the TSX (GIB.A) and the NYSE (GIB). Website: www.cgi.com
For more information:
Jenny McGowan - UK External Communications
jenny.mcgowan@cgi.com +44 (0)7771 815428
