KPMG’s Global Diversity Team
Becoming Disability Confident
A Global Perspective
18 October 2011
USBLN Conference, Kentucky, US
Mousumi Das
Senior Manager, Global Diversity
KPMG International
Contents
About KPMG and the Global Diversity Team
The Facts: A Global Perspective
KPMG: Becoming Disability Confident
Global Best Practices
 Access to Opportunities
 Retention of Our Talent
 Skill and Career Development
© 2011 KPMG International Cooperative (“KPMG International”), a Swiss entity. Member firms of the KPMG network of
independent firms are affiliated with KPMG International. KPMG International provides no client services. No member
firm has any authority to obligate or bind KPMG International or any other member firm vis-à-vis third parties, nor does
KPMG International have any such authority to obligate or bind any member firm. All rights reserved.
1
KPMG’s Global Diversity Team
About the Team
KPMG’s Global Diversity Team works with senior
leadership to drive diversity related change in terms
of business performance and culture.
Underpinned by KPMG’s values
• We lead by example
Vision
Diversity is about difference – what you do with it
and why. Specifically, it is about responding to
social change to the benefit of both individuals and
the organization by embracing difference and
creating a global culture of inclusion.
Our vision is to make KPMG a place where people
can bring their whole selves to work – and to be
recognized for this culture of inclusion.
Mission
To foster a work environment that is inclusive and
embraces diversity of our people, their ideas and
lifestyles, professional insights, and personal
perspectives. This is vital for KPMG to stand apart
from its competitors and as an Employer of Choice.
© 2011 KPMG International Cooperative (“KPMG International”), a Swiss entity. Member firms of the KPMG network of
independent firms are affiliated with KPMG International. KPMG International provides no client services. No member
firm has any authority to obligate or bind KPMG International or any other member firm vis-à-vis third parties, nor does
KPMG International have any such authority to obligate or bind any member firm. All rights reserved.
• We work together
• We respect the individual
• We seek the facts and provide
insight
• We are open and honest in our
communication
• We are committed to our
communities
• Above all, we act with integrity
The Facts: A GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE
Operating within a global market presents certain challenges including working with different
types of people and working within a myriad of legal environments.
Attitudes are shifting such that organizations are moving away from avoiding the issue or simply
being in compliance, to looking at ways to address these issues proactively, and view them as
potential new opportunities for business.

It is estimated that between 15-20 percent of every country’s population is living with a disability

The International Labour Office recognizes that the unemployment rate among persons with
disabilities in the Asia-Pacific region is usually double that of the general population and often as
high as 80 percent.

There are over 45,000 students in the UK living with a disability who study at university every year:
6 percent of first class honour degrees are gained by students known to have a disability.

The World Bank estimates that 133 million people with disabilities would benefit from Information
and Communication Technology.

Seventy-five countries where KPMG operates are known to have disability legislation, some of
which promote quota systems for the employment of a certain number of people living with a
disability.
© 2011 KPMG International Cooperative (“KPMG International”), a Swiss entity. Member firms of the KPMG network of
independent firms are affiliated with KPMG International. KPMG International provides no client services. No member
firm has any authority to obligate or bind KPMG International or any other member firm vis-à-vis third parties, nor does
KPMG International have any such authority to obligate or bind any member firm. All rights reserved.
3
KPMG: Becoming Disability Confident
All KPMG member firms have an opportunity to challenge perceptions surrounding disability as it is
understood by society today. By becoming a disability confident organization as a whole, we have the chance
to focus on ability and how it can benefit our firm.
KPMG’s goal is to become disability confident both locally and globally.
What does it mean to be disability confident?

Understanding how disability affects business both ways
– as a cost and as an opportunity for businesses services
and connections

Creating a culture of inclusion that removes physical and
attitudinal barriers for people with disabilities

Making reasonable adjustments which enable specific
individuals to contribute as employees and clients

Focusing on the opportunity to employ and support
differently-abled people and bring the best capacities to
the forefront

Ensure transparency, encourage best practice thinking
and align with business strategy
© 2011 KPMG International Cooperative (“KPMG International”), a Swiss entity. Member firms of the KPMG network of
independent firms are affiliated with KPMG International. KPMG International provides no client services. No member
firm has any authority to obligate or bind KPMG International or any other member firm vis-à-vis third parties, nor does
KPMG International have any such authority to obligate or bind any member firm. All rights reserved.
4
Global Best Practices
Access to Opportunities
Spain
KPMG in Spain participates in the committee for awarding
scholarships to the program University Education of Students with
Disabilities. This program aims to unlock the potential and talent of
people with disabilities. It also promotes an inclusive education model
at universities with a focus on access to employment.
Participation in the committee is geared to the employment of people
with disabilities.
Australia
KPMG in Australia participates in Stepping into..., an internship program designed specifically for university students with
disability. The program provides a “step into” practical work experience for students with disability who may otherwise face
significant barriers to finding employment.
Students benefit significantly through gaining experience of the job application and interview process, developing a network
of contacts within a professional organization, and gaining valuable hands-on experience which they can include in their
resumes. It also provides them with the opportunity to showcase their skills and knowledge.
The Australian firm hires students from the Stepping into… program as permanent KPMG employees.
© 2011 KPMG International Cooperative (“KPMG International”), a Swiss entity. Member firms of the KPMG network of
independent firms are affiliated with KPMG International. KPMG International provides no client services. No member
firm has any authority to obligate or bind KPMG International or any other member firm vis-à-vis third parties, nor does
KPMG International have any such authority to obligate or bind any member firm. All rights reserved.
5
Global Best Practices
Retention of Our Talent
Singapore
From home to work, accommodation is a key part of retention.
KPMG in Singapore supports people with disabilities by conducting
an accessibility assessment of the employee’s home, his/her
commute to and from work, and the workspace.
Russia
In building a disability friendly organization, KPMG in Russia did not create “special” positions. Openness to disability means
filling existing vacancies with qualified candidates and being prepared to make reasonable.
The member firm is committed to an action plan to raise awareness of disability and employment issues. The plan includes:
•
Create a focus group on disability issues for all KPMG staff;
•
Organize and host the contest Path to Career, an annual event for students and graduates with disabilities.
•
Organize and host a forum Employers for Equal Opportunities with the business community and media.
•
Facilitate trainings for the HR community called Understanding of Disability and Legislative Aspects of Hiring
People with Disabilities. These trainings are a part of the firm’s corporate training agenda.
•
Offer corporate trainings for improving writing skills and presentations skills to students with disabilities on assignment
at the member firm.
© 2011 KPMG International Cooperative (“KPMG International”), a Swiss entity. Member firms of the KPMG network of
independent firms are affiliated with KPMG International. KPMG International provides no client services. No member
firm has any authority to obligate or bind KPMG International or any other member firm vis-à-vis third parties, nor does
KPMG International have any such authority to obligate or bind any member firm. All rights reserved.
6
Global Best Practices
Skill and Career Development
Brazil
KPMG in Brazil created an employee resource group, Inklusão, in
which leaders, along with the Diversity team, support the growth of
their professionals with disabilities.
United Kingdom
KPMG in the UK has a Disability Steering Group (DSG) which meets quarterly to identify and suggest appropriate courses
of action to address any barriers and challenges experienced by disabled employees and clients in KPMG.
Current DSG projects and activities include: guidance on performance management and goal setting for people with
disabilities, and action on mental health.
Many of the members of the DSG are also Disability Champions - people with first-hand experience of disability who are
willing to be contacted directly to provide counsel and support for Partners and employees with disabilities.
KPMG in the UK also has a Disability Network, bringing together people with disabilities and other interested people to
discuss the issues with experts in the field.
KPMG in the UK is closely linked with a national disability charity called Radar (www.radar.org.uk); they have recently
participated in a research project with them on career progression for senior disabled people.
The UK firm is also working to ensure that their products and services are accessible to clients with disabilities. Under the
leadership of a Director in one of their client-facing practices, the firm has established a Client Accessibility Forum,
speaking directly with clients about their needs and expectations of KPMG in terms of accessibility.
© 2011 KPMG International Cooperative (“KPMG International”), a Swiss entity. Member firms of the KPMG network of
independent firms are affiliated with KPMG International. KPMG International provides no client services. No member
firm has any authority to obligate or bind KPMG International or any other member firm vis-à-vis third parties, nor does
KPMG International have any such authority to obligate or bind any member firm. All rights reserved.
7
Closing
Twenty years ago, I was diagnosed with Hepatitis. The doctor at the clinic said, “It is not the worst, but you
have to go home and relax.” I went to the office after the diagnosis and guess what? People were not
willing to talk to me. The office sent me home and said, “Look, maybe you should review your career
because you are going to stay home for three months. We will have to see if you are going to have any
consequences in your future.” I thought for a moment that everything I have worked for is gone. But it’s
about challenging people’s perceptions. They keep you out of the system. That is the biggest challenge.
- Pedro Melo, Chairman, KPMG Brazil
(The program) changed my life because there are more directions I can go now. Whereas before, I didn’t
know where I could go or know where I could have ended up… I want a career in business. This
apprenticeship has shown me what business can do and what you can achieve in business.
- Kifah Mafarji, EDGE Program Participant, KPMG Australia
Disability Champions are visible examples of KPMG people who inspires confidence from others in the UK
firm with disabilities. The champions will deploy leadership skills through advice and guidance, in
supporting People Management Leaders who may be dealing with disability related issues, and in
participating in initiatives which are sponsored by the leadership and/or the disability forum. This raises
awareness and changes behaviours throughout the firm, so that we attract, retain, and develop our people
who have or acquire disabilities.
- Mike Blake, Partner, KPMG UK
© 2011 KPMG International Cooperative (“KPMG International”), a Swiss entity. Member firms of the KPMG network of
independent firms are affiliated with KPMG International. KPMG International provides no client services. No member
firm has any authority to obligate or bind KPMG International or any other member firm vis-à-vis third parties, nor does
KPMG International have any such authority to obligate or bind any member firm. All rights reserved.
8
Contact
Mousumi Das
Senior Manager, Global Diversity
KPMG International
[email protected]
+1 416 777 8560
© 2011 KPMG International Cooperative (“KPMG International”), a Swiss entity. Member firms of the KPMG network of
independent firms are affiliated with KPMG International. KPMG International provides no client services. No member
firm has any authority to obligate or bind KPMG International or any other member firm vis-à-vis third parties, nor does
KPMG International have any such authority to obligate or bind any member firm. All rights reserved.
9
© 2011 KPMG International Cooperative (“KPMG International”), a Swiss entity. Member firms of the
KPMG network of independent firms are affiliated with KPMG International. KPMG International provides
no client services. No member firm has any authority to obligate or bind KPMG International or any other
member firm vis-à-vis third parties, nor does KPMG International have any such authority to obligate or
bind any member firm. All rights reserved.
The KPMG name, logo and "cutting through complexity" are registered
trademarks or trademarks of KPMG International Cooperative ("KPMG
International").