American Electric Power (NYSE: AEP) has been recognized as one of the nation’s 2016 “Best Places to Work” by the Disability Equality Index (DEI), a national benchmarking survey and report on disability-friendly company policies, programs and practices.

“AEP is committed to supporting all of our employees with disabilities and is honored to have earned a top score on the 2016 Disability Equality Index,” said Nicholas K. Akins, AEP chairman, president and chief executive officer. “We are dedicated to fostering a work environment of diversity and respect so that all employees can find their work rewarding and contribute their unique talents to help us better serve our customers.”

The 2016 DEI survey measured a wide range of criteria in areas including culture and leadership, enterprise-wide access, employment practices and community engagement and support services.

AEP supports employees with disabilities through its ADAPT employee resource group (Abled and Disabled Allies Partnering Together), which 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.

The DEI is a joint initiative of the American Association of People with Disabilities and the US Business Leadership Network. 

American Electric Power is one of the largest electric utilities in the United States, delivering electricity and custom energy solutions to nearly 5.4 million customers in 11 states. AEP owns the nation’s largest electricity transmission system, a more than 40,000-mile network that includes more 765-kilovolt extra-high voltage transmission lines than all other U.S. transmission systems combined. AEP also operates 223,000 miles of distribution lines. AEP ranks among the nation’s largest generators of electricity, owning approximately 31,000 megawatts of generating capacity in the U.S. AEP also supplies 3,200 megawatts of renewable energy to customers. AEP’s utility units operate as 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’s headquarters are in Columbus, Ohio.