Chicago-based Sammons Financial Group Inc. was recently honored by the Business Resource Network (BRN) and the Sioux Falls, Iowa, Disability Awareness Commission with the Disability Friendly Recognition Program award. 

The BRN, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting the employment of people with disabilities, along with the Awareness Commission, recently presented the award to the Sammons Financial team, according to a BRN post on Facebook. The award is presented to businesses that employ people with a disability to acknowledge their efforts to create a diverse and inclusive workplace. 

According to the BRN, people with disabilities represent the third largest market segment in the United States and have equal or higher job performance rates and lower absenteeism than people without disabilities. Also according to the BRN, 87 percent of people say they would prefer to give their business to companies that hire those with disabilities. 

The organization, formed in 2009, works to educate businesses and provide resources for businesses to help recruit, retain and promote qualified people who have disabilities.  

Sammons Financial Group, an insurance holding company, provides financial services and retirement products such as life insurance, annuities and securities.