“Inclusion to me is more than just people with disabilities or different backgrounds. It’s being open-minded to possibilities.” – Ike T.
Accenture, a leading global professional services company, and a Disability:IN Presenting Partner, is committed to accelerating equality for all and creating an inclusive, accessible workplace. In 2018, Accenture partnered with Disability:IN and the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) to unveil groundbreaking research, “Getting to Equal: the Disability Inclusion Advantage,” showing that companies that embrace best practices for employing and supporting more persons with disabilities in their workforces outperform their peers.
The research found that leading companies for disability employment and inclusion had, on average over a four-year period, 28% higher revenue, double the net income and 30% higher economic profit margins than other companies in the Disability Equality Index.
Accenture not only leverages its expertise to raise awareness on the ROI of disability inclusion, it also “walks the walk.” In recognizing the benefits of a diverse workforce, Accenture also participates in Disability:IN’s NextGen Leaders program, where representatives met Ike Tallerine.
Ike T., a 2018 Disability:IN NextGen Leader, was interviewed by representatives from seven different Disability:IN corporate partners while participating in the NextGen Leaders Program. He received several offers, but held out for the number one company on his list – Accenture. Ike wanted to work at a company like Accenture, where the caliber of business, talent and culture make an impact.
“I love Accenture’s culture and the positive attitude toward change and innovation. One recent example is when I noticed an opportunity to improve our process for invoicing clients. I offered a solution to drive efficiency using an automated macro. Not only did the team support my idea, they entered it into a competition,” said Ike.
Accenture’s senior leadership is also committed to disability inclusion. Chad Jerdee, Accenture’s Executive Sponsor – Persons with Disabilities and Global Lead for Responsible Business, Sustainability and Corporate Citizenship is not only the sponsor of the Accenture research, but has also served as the Treasurer of Disability:IN’s Board of Directors since 2019. As an amputee who lost his lower left leg as the result of a head-on collision with a drunk driver, Chad focuses on paying it forward to the persons with disabilities community. His leadership has contributed to differentiating Accenture as a company where innovation and inclusion intersect.
To solidify their commitment even further, Julie Sweet, Chief Executive Officer of Accenture, signed the CEO Letter on Disability Inclusion earlier this year.
Accenture is IN. Are you IN?
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