American Family recognized as top employer for the disABLED

American Family Insurance has been recognized for the second consecutive year as a Top 50 Employer for the disabled by Careers & the disABLED magazine. The award recognizes organizations that provide a positive working environment for people with disabilities.

Disabilities come in many forms including invisible disabilities, which are not immediately apparent and are typically chronic illnesses or conditions that impair daily living. One form of invisible disability is posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The Veteran’s Affairs National Center for PTSD estimates that about 8% of the population will have PTSD at some point in their lives. PTSD is commonly associated with combat trauma, but many develop the condition from other situations including natural disasters, assault, or other trauma.

Patti Hood, a Data Governance and Security Specialist with American Family Insurance Claims Services (AFICS), has been with the company for almost four years. Hood is a 15-year remote professional and Veteran who is a victim of a violent crime, resulting in severe PTSD from military and civilian experiences. Hood’s disability makes even simple tasks, like working in an office or going to the grocery store, extremely challenging.

“American Family has always been extremely supportive and understanding with me,” says Patti. “They understood that my disability prevents me from being on-site and they have tools that allow me to remain connected and collaborative with my team. They even helped me get a service dog, who has helped me in so many ways. I feel like I’m starting to get my life back.”

Hood found community at American Family through Business Resource Groups (BRG). She is a member of multiple groups including the Abilities, Multicultural and Multigenerational BRGs, and was just named Cabinet Liaison for the Abilities BRG.

Hood and her husband also like to give back to their local community by sponsoring an equine therapeutic facility where they host an all-inclusive assisted rodeo for anyone diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder or other disabilities.

“This is how I give back to AmFam, my team members and my community for everything they’ve done for me,” said Hood.

“American Family has done an amazing job when it comes to providing me a safe and supportive environment,” says Patti. “I encourage other people who live with disabilities to ask for help or join a local organization to find support and community.”

Company recognized by CAREERS & the disABLED

Patti’s experience at American Family was recently affirmed when the company was named on the CAREERS & the disABLED magazine's 2024 Annual Top 50 Employers list.

American Family was ranked 28 out of 50 for the 32nd Annual Top 50 Employers. Readers of the magazine selected the top companies in the country for which they would most prefer to work or believe provide a positive working environment for people with disabilities. The list of the “Top 50 Employers” is featured in the Winter 2023-24 edition of CAREERS & the disABLED magazine.

To see the full Top 50 list, visit the Careers & the disABLED website.

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About the American Family Insurance Group
Based in Madison, Wisconsin, American Family Insurance has been serving customers since 1927. We inspire, protect and restore dreams through our insurance products, exceptional service from our agency owners and employees, community investment and creative partnerships to address societal challenges. We act on our belief in diversity and inclusion by constantly evolving to meet customer needs and preferences. American Family Insurance group is the nation’s 12th-largest property/casualty insurance group, ranking No. 301 on the Fortune 500 list. The group sells American Family-brand products, primarily through exclusive agency owners in 19 states. The American Family Insurance group also includes CONNECT, powered by American Family Insurance, The General, Homesite and Main Street America Insurance. Across these companies the group has nearly 13,000 employees nationwide.