Disability inclusion and neurodiversity

2023 Global Impact Report

Building better futures

Deloitte is a proud signatory of the International Labour Organization’s Global Business and Disability Network Charter, and is committed to delivering against its 10 principles when it comes to both disability inclusion and neurodiversity; as such, Deloitte’s global strategies for these important inclusion priorities are aligned to delivering against each of these principles. 

Deloitte’s approach to disability inclusion and neurodiversity is built on the social model—in that people are only disabled by the social and physical environment around them. To this end, Deloitte Global has launched a number of awareness-building, coaching, and education programs to help enable professionals with disabilities or neurodivergent variations to reach their full career potential, as well as to support skills development and career progression in society at large. Resources developed by Deloitte Global include digital learning, accessibility guidance (physical, digital, events, deliverables), critical factors to enable career success for neurodivergent individuals, guidance on workplace accommodations, return to work best practices guidance, and learning accessibility guidance. Deloitte also created a series of immersive experiences, including Natalia’s story, from the perspective of living and working with a visual impairment; Robert’s story, on navigating barriers with a physical disability; and Sam’s story, which shares an autistic person’s day at the office. And Deloitte’s award-winning Can you see me? films of people from underrepresented groups include Thiago, a wheelchair user, and Delphine, an autistic person.  

Deloitte firms are also taking meaningful and impactful actions to support our focus on disability inclusion and neurodiversity. For example, the Deloitte US People with Disabilities human-centered design (HCD) initiative seeks to better understand the experiences of people with disabilities, identify ways to improve accessibility, and create a more inclusive culture. Deloitte Canada launched its first Accessibility Action Plan in 2021 to reinforce its commitment to the inclusion of people with disabilities as well as those with different accessibility needs. Additionally, Deloitte Thailand partnered with the Social Innovation Foundation in 2022 to help connect people with disabilities to jobs. Program registrants are matched with organizations that can provide them with suitable employment. This helps to enable people with disabilities to perform duties based on their capabilities and competencies, develop their work skills, and earn a living.  

Many Deloitte firms are also committed to funding scholarships and offering apprenticeships to neurodivergent talent and those with disabilities. Examples include Deloitte Canada’s funding toward scholarships for law students with disabilities through the Legal Leaders for Diversity and Inclusion (LLD) scholarship fund and the Deloitte US  Neurodiversity@Deloitte program consisting of a three-month apprenticeship with an opportunity for full-time employment. 

Deloitte’s global focus on fostering an inclusive workplace for colleagues with disabilities has been recognized by third-party organizations around the world, including achievement in the US of a perfect score in the Disability Equality Index’s best places to work ranking for the last five years. Deloitte UK is part of the UK Government’s Disability Confident employer scheme focused on best practices around the recruitment, retention, and development of talent with disabilities. 

Deloitte Global and many Deloitte firms have also sought to advance the inclusion of people with disabilities through the sharing of leading practices and resources across the organization, as well as via external platforms and networks. Deloitte firms—including Deloitte Ireland and Deloitte Japan—are members of the Valuable 500. Deloitte Australia is a member of the Australian Network on Disability. And Deloitte UK has published its Neurodiversity Learning Guide for Recruiters to share learnings and help other organizations improve their own skill sets and confidence when engaging with neurodiverse candidates.  

A number of Deloitte firms have collaborated with specialized organizations to support the recruitment of neurodivergent talent. This includes Deloitte UK working with Auticon; Deloitte Canada working with Auticon and Ready, Willing & Able; and Deloitte Belgium working with Autimatic. 

Several Deloitte firms have employee resource groups dedicated to neurodiversity and disability to help foster community and allyship, including raising awareness of neurodiversity and disability within their respective firms. In addition, a number of Deloitte firms have neurodiversity networks, including Deloitte Australia and Deloitte Netherlands, which help ensure our people feel empowered to approach their jobs in ways that fit with how their minds, brains, and thought processes work.