KPMG LLP Disability Affinity Group
During the first call of this group hosted by National Grid, eight NBDC members provided information about their company’s group, which included the group name, how and when it was founded, its mission/goal, structure and meeting schedule, the most innovative aspect of the program, the greatest challenge in getting it started, tips to maintaining momentum, and guidance they could offer to other NBDC members interested in starting similar groups.
With permission from NBDC members, each month the NBDC Review e-newsletter will highlight a member and its Disability Affinity Program. While all participants were taking notes throughout the conference call, to help assure consistency and correct information, participating members were asked to submit short responses to the topics mentioned above and discussed during the call.
This month, KPMG LLP is highlighted as the Disability Affinity Group Member Spotlight.
KPMG LLP is the U.S. member firm of KPMG International, a global network of professional services firms providing audit, tax and advisory services in 145 countries around the world. KPMG promotes diversity by providing its professionals with the information and resources necessary to help them plan and develop great careers, whether internally through networking and mentoring relationships or externally through workshops, seminars, and community involvement.
The name of KPMG’s Disability Affinity Group is National Disabilities Network.
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KPMG established the National Disabilities Network in December 2008. It currently has more than 400 members in nine chapters across the US. · Its Mission is to foster an environment that supports partners and employees who have a disability, or who have a child or other dependent with special needs as they build their careers at the firm. The network also strives to raise awareness about the unique needs and talents of individuals with disabilities to help ensure all of the firm’s partners and employees feel accepted, valued and treated fairly. · Structure and Meeting Schedule – KPMG created a national advisory board for the network, which consists of national and local chapter leaders who meet on a quarterly basis to plan events and educational forums.· Most Innovative Aspect of the Program is the network’s collaboration on professional development and community service events with the firm’s five other national diversity networks (African-American Network, Asian Pacific Islander Network, Hispanic/Latino Network, KPMG’s Network of Women, and pride@kpmg, the firm’s network for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender partners and employees). · Greatest Challenge in Getting Started/Maintaining Momentum is understanding that not everyone is comfortable with disclosing personal information. For this reason, KPMG has created an internal Web site where partners and employees can share information, ask questions, and have access to the network’s most up-to-date information related to disabilities and caring for individuals with special needs, as well as news of network activities and special events. Support from the network’s leadership has also greatly influenced others to share and feel open. · Guidance to Others Interested in Starting Similar Groups is to have leadership support and ensure that your network’s objectives are tied to your organization’s overall business strategy.
NBDC would like to thank KPMG LLP for its contribution to this initiative, and to encourage all NBDC members to contact Information Services at lfrancis@abilitieesonline.org for information on how to participate. ¡
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