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Disability inclusiveness
At the global EY organization, we're all in for disability inclusiveness. It’s part of who we are, how we work and how we will thrive in the future.
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Disability inclusiveness is part of who we are
Disability inclusiveness forms the foundation of the global EY organization. Well over a century ago, our co-founder Arthur Young became partially blind in a cricket game and later lost his hearing in law school. Unable to practice courtroom law, he emigrated from Scotland to the United States seeking new ways to use his skills.
Arthur’s disability drove him to become an innovator and entrepreneur, as he evolved his accounting company into what it would become today: a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and consulting services. We’ve been building on our commitment to disability inclusiveness ever since.
By the numbers
More than 1 billion people – approximately 1 in 7 – globally have a disability.
Estimated
of disabilities are acquired during prime working years (18 to 54)
1 World Economic Forum: Disability Inclusion Is ‘Good Business’ Despite Low Awareness. 2 Understood.org: Invisible Disabilities in the Workplace
Estimated
of disabilities are non-visible, spanning mental illness, chronic health conditions, partial sensory or mobility impairments, ongoing cancer treatments, neurodivergence and more.*
*This a non-comprehensive list as the definition of “non-visible disabilities” varies from country to country.
Leading by example
At the global EY organization, we’re dedicated to fostering a culture where all people feel like they belong and that their uniqueness is celebrated. This commitment is at the heart of our 'All in' strategy, driving purposeful growth and creating new value for our people and stakeholders.
Here are a few ways EY is supporting disability inclusiveness:
Any of us can acquire a disability at any time. People with disabilities are key sources of talent, yet unless we’re purposefully included, we may be inadvertently excluded.
Lori Golden
EY Global Disability Leader
Our recent disability inclusiveness milestones
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2011 |
EY becomes the first accounting firm to sign Business Taskforce on Accessible Technology Charter. |
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2016 |
EY opens the first Neurodiversity Center of Excellence and cofounds the Neurodiversity@Work Employers Roundtable. |
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2018 |
EY becomes the first founding member of the Disability Owned Business Enterprise certification of disability-owned businesses |
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2019 |
Former EY Global Chairman Carmine Di Sibio becomes one of The Valuable 500’s 15 Iconic Leaders. |
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2020 |
Former EY Global Chairman Carmine Di Sibio appoints a member of EY’s highest global governing body to be Global Executive Sponsor for Disability. |
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2021 |
EY appoints Executive Sponsors for Disability across each of our three global Areas, Americas, Asia-Pacific and EMEIA, to lead the global disability strategy at a Region and country level. |
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2022 |
EY joins Procure Access, a B2B initiative that brings companies together to advance accessible procurement in the private sector. |
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2023 |
EY global Technology Disability Support Desk begins providing assistive technologies, training/troubleshooting and alternative format materials to our professionals with disabilities. |
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2024 |
EY teams launch the Accessibility Support Travel Desk to help our professionals with disabilities plan safer, and more comfortable business trips. |
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2025 |
Jad Shimaly, Global Managing Parter - Client Service, named new Global Executive Sponsor for Disability. |
