Corporate Infrastructure: Diversity Initiatives that Promote the Inclusion of Individuals with Disabilities Lori Golden Ernst & Young, LLP Beth Newsom Kaiser Permanente People with Disabilities Association Slide 2: Diversity’s New Frontier Disabilities in the Workplace Lori Golden Inclusiveness Consultant/AccessAbilities Leader Americas People Team Ernst & Young, LLP Slide 3: I Have Two Goals for Today 1. To help you understand the issues and opportunities employers face around hiring and supporting workers with disabilities 2. To show you some approaches and a model that’s working well at Ernst & Young Slide 4: PWD Statistics People with disabilities (PWD) Are America’s largest and fastest growing minority 49.7 million Americans – 1 in 5 – have a disability Of 69.9M families, >20M have someone with a disability If you don’t have a disability now, there’s a 1 in 5 chance you’ll acquire one before retirement Between 1990 and 2000, the number of PWD grew 25%, > any other subgroup in US Sources: US. Census Bureau, 2000; Department of Labor, 2006 Slide 5:Demographic Trends Demographic trends are increasing the number of PWD already in our workplaces There are better treatments for serious illness/chronic health conditions, e.g. cancer, diabetes, heart disease. The aging workforce (and reduced ability to retire) is increasing age-related disabilities, e.g. arthritis, hearing/vision impairments. Growth in flexible work arrangements/telework enables PWD to stay productive despite illness. More young adults are coming to work with diagnosed learning disabilities. Slide 6: An Underleveraged Resource PWD are an underleveraged resource in the war for talent Only 20% of PWD over 16 years old are working vs. 67% of the non-disabled. Yet: Higher retention of PWD reduces labor costs. PWD develop flexibility and problem-solving skills that spur innovation, better business solutions, and better employee morale. Consumers favor companies that hire PWDs. PWD/friends/families are a huge, growing marketplace; companies that mirror the market will better understand its needs. Sources: US. Dept of Labor, 2009; Schurm Kruse, Blasi & Blank, 2009; University of Massachusetts/America’s Strength Foundation, 2005; US. Census 2000 Slide 7:Attitudes and Misconceptions More PWD aren’t hired because of attitudes / misconceptions There’s concern about the cost of accommodations, but most cost <$500. There’s concern about potential employee discomfort, but studies show that employing PWD improves morale. Managers are often inexperienced with disabilities, so may not fully understand PWDs’ capabilities. Sources: Job Accommodation Network, 2008; US Department of Labor, 2008 Slide 8:Leveraging the Talents To leverage the full talents of PWD, businesses need to do four things Recruit the best talent – in whatever “bodysuit.” Enable them to do their best by providing accessibility and accommodations Plan for career development and advancement. Educate everyone – not just key audiences – to build a disabilities-friendly culture. Slide 9:Ernst & Young Focus At Ernst & Young, we do this by focusing on two key areas Enabling PWD by providing equal access to tools, information, and communications; providing career development support Fostering a disabilities-sensitive work environment through building awareness and educating so people of all abilities are comfortable and feel included Slide 10:Ernst & Young AccessAbilitiesTM Ernst & Young AccessAbilitiesTM refers to a network and a set of initiatives Let’s look at the networks…. People Resource Network 300 members, with/without disabilities, all ranks, regions Not a support group, but works toward systemic change Advisory, with some hands-on activity Slide 11:Ernst & Young Networks And more networks…. Abilities Champions By region and functional group Advocate for inclusion in meetings, communications, etc. and improvement in how processes, policies, programs impact PWD Caregivers Circle Formed by AccessAbilities (AA) members; aligned with AA/Parents Network for Children with Special Healthcare Needs Knowledge resource and support group Lifecare calls, information on AA community homespace Slide 12: Disabilities Focus Disabilities focus is part of diversity and inclusiveness Reports to Americas Inclusiveness Officer, linked to Global Inclusiveness Officer Americas Inclusiveness Council advises Americas Executive Board; includes partner with disabilities, working group on disabilities issues Sub-Area Inclusiveness Steering Committees include partners championing disabilities issues AA leader also has overall D&I responsibilities Slide 13:Our Initiatives Focus: Area 1 The first is ensuring safety AccessAbilities formed an Emergency Evacuation Task Force that educates people about our People Requiring Assistance Database. creates a process for visitors to register any needs for assistance with the office’s location manager. develops consistent emergency evacuation protocols and signage. audits plans to ensure they’ll meet PWDs’ needs. Slide 14: Our Initiatives Focus: Area 2 The second is promoting productivity We offer individual accommodations consultations. We create work-arounds for firm-wide communications tools; e.g., automatic transcriptions of voicemail. We promote increased accessibility of firm-wide resources; e.g., captioning Webcasts. We drive accessibility improvements in our offices; e.g., automatic doors that stay open longer so people in wheelchairs can pass more easily. Slide 15: Our Initiatives Focus: Area 3 The third focus is promoting career development for PWD We encourage strategic career planning to mitigate the impacts of disability or accommodations; e.g., managing the effect of telework on team/supervisor relationships Accommodations Flexibility Key assignments We provide ongoing support and advocacy for PWD Arranging for coaching/mentoring Offering consultation Facilitating networking internally/externally Slide 16: Our Initiatives Focus: Area 4 The fourth focus is educating all our people Educating special audiences – recruiters, people consultants, managers, trainers. Building awareness/educating firm-wide through integrating into local/ service line events/communications. Enhancing visibility through daily online newsletter, meetings and events. Promoting messaging/images in firm sites and materials. Providing an internal site that is a “one stop shop” for disabilities resources. Slide 17: Approaches Used to Educate We use a variety of approaches to educate Brochures distributed firm-wide Video and “minutes” series played at meetings Posters hang in all US offices each October Quizzes used at events Quick Guides used in training Facts/tips featured in business unit newsletters Connect directly with target audiences; e.g., conference calls with recruiters Content part of overall inclusiveness training Slide 18: Our Materials Our materials are designed to quickly engage people in a variety of ways Slide 19: Quick Guides Quick Guides cover the basics “You Don’t Say” covers disabilities-friendly language “Is it Okay?” covers appropriate etiquette “Conference Call Etiquette” covers conducting inclusive telephone calls “Six Things to Say/Not to Say to Someone with a Chronic Condition or Illness” Slide 20: Video Materials We use video to teach through storytelling AccessAbilities video –PWD, managers, firm leaders discuss issues around working with disabilities at EY and why inclusiveness is critical AccessAbilities “minutes” – individuals tell true stories about working with disabilities that teach us something about how to be inclusive day to day Slide 21: Posters We use posters to get people thinking differently Slide 22: Opportunities In Wider Workplace We’re helping create opportunities in the wider marketplace as well Hosted forum on learning disabilities in the workplace Participated in ODEP’s inclusive culture research Sponsoring COSD, connecting students with employers Founding sponsor for disabled business certification Founding sponsor of Entrepreneurship Boot Camp for Families of Veterans with Disabilities Helping found NYC Business Leadership Network Slide 23: Lesson for Employers So what are the lessons for employers? Consider how increases in disabilities impact existing workforces Appreciate PWD are an underleveraged talent pool Provide accommodations and accessibility Plan for PWD’s career success, not just retention Foster a disabilities sensitive culture through education Training isn’t enough; integration is key Slide 24: Kaiser Permanente People with Disabilities Association Beth Newsom Network Leader RFI/RFP Project Coordinator Population and Prevention Services, KP Colorado People with Disabilities Association Network Leader Slide 25:Beth Newsom with Daughter, Lori Inclusive: “Covering or intending to cover all items.” “deficient,” “incapable,” “syndrome,” “coffee-making impaired” “PowerPoint challenged!” Slide 26:Kaiser Permanente Associations Structure and multi-cultural associations 8 regions National Diversity Dept Local Diversity Depts (each region) Multi-cultural associations Slide 27: Kaiser Permanente Associations People with Disabilities Associations Varies by region (number of people, role, activities) Kaiser Permanente Colorado (KPCO) People with Disabilities Association “KPPwD” 3 Co-Chairs, 50 members, 10 “active members” * Partnership with other associations Slide 28: Three KPPwD Co-Chairs Slide 29: Our Association: The “Basics” Mission statement: KPPwD exists to give voice to the strengths, needs, and concerns of people with disabilities. Camaraderie: humor, compassion Internal networking: inside CO and between regions Slide 30: Our Association: Our VOICE People with disabilities lead KPPwD Monthly meetings, quarterly with other associations and with national diversity Diversity scholarship program Diversity leadership program Slide 31: History: From There to Here 2001: KPPwD in Colorado was formed; focus on visibility in community 2005: The Spirit Is Able (culturally competent care for people with disabilities) video was launched 2005: KPPwD Co-Chairs changed Slide 32: History: 2005 - 2007 Focus shift to 2 step process: internal education, then collaboration with community Partnership with Facilities Department disability etiquette Timeline project – display “traveled between facilities” Internal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Day Accessible ropes course Slide 33: History: 2008 - 2009 Disability awareness dinner Networking opportunity: persons with disabilities, veterans, Rocky Mountain ADA Center, CP Colorado, MS Society, Voc Rehab, University disability offices, and many more. Individual outreach 100 (2008), 130 (2009) Entertainment: Phamaly Accessible wilderness hike Slide 34: What We Do: Internal Education Overall: Culturally Competent Care in the Clinical Setting, Let’s Talk Diversity Disability: (most common question: “How can I help?” The Spirit Is Able – video facilitation “Commercials” Disability etiquette presentations Handcycling presentation “Issues” as they arise ANY opportunity Slide 35: Rocky Mountain ADA Leadership Network (membership) Can add to efforts of inclusion A resource that gains attention with time Increases odds of having resources to help address concerns Slide 36: Where’s the end? Inclusion efforts… Will suffer if not continually pursued (effects of the economy) Require the VOICES of those with disabilities Efforts never end Slide 37: Open Discussion & Questions Slide 38: THANK YOU! Slide 39: Contact Information Please Feel Free to Reach Out to Us at Your Discretion Lori Golden Ernst & Young, Email: lori.golden@ey.com Beth Newsom Kaiser Permanente Email: elizabeth.e.newsom@kp.org Slide 40: Employer Webinar Series http://sedbtac.org/webinars/ Slide 41: Next Webinar Corporate Strategy: Providing Accessibility for Employees and Customers Thursday March 11, 2010 Register at: sedbtac.org/webinars Slide 42: Education Credits DUE: February 19, 2010 CEU (0.1) Approved by the University College at Syracuse University To earn CEU credit, you must: Participate in the 1.5 hour webinar. Submit forms: Participant List and CEU Request . Follow insructions at(http://sedbtac.org/webinars/requestCEU.php?eventid=527). CRCC (1.5) Approved by Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC) To earn CRCC credit, you must: Participate in the 1.5 hour webinar. Score 80% or better in 3 attempts on Post Test Complete: CRCC Request and send to CRCC office. Follow instructions at(http://sedbtac.org/webinars/requestCRCC.php?eventid=527) Slide 43: Disclaimer The DBTAC: Southeast ADA Center (Southeast DBTAC) is authorized by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) to provide information, materials, and technical assistance to individuals and entities that are covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act and its Amendments (ADA) under Grant No. H133A060094. However, you should be aware that NIDRR is not responsible for enforcement of the ADA. For more information or assistance, please contact your regional DBTAC via the National Network of ADA Centers' web site at or by calling 1-800-949-4232 [voice/tty]. The information, materials, and/or technical assistance are intended solely as informal guidance, and are neither a determination of your legal rights or responsibilities under the Act, nor binding on any agency with enforcement responsibility under the ADA. The Burton Blatt Institute at Syracuse University (BBI) does not warrant the accuracy of any information contained herein. Any links to non-BBI information are provided as a courtesy. They are not intended to nor do they constitute an endorsement by the BBI of the linked materials. Slide 44: Copyright Information This work is the property of the DBTAC: Southeast ADA Center Permission is granted for this material to be shared for non-commercial, educational purposes, provided that this copyright statement appears on the reproduced materials and notice is given that the copying is by permission of the authors. To disseminate otherwise or to republish requires written permission from the authors.