Rebecca:
To me, genuine care isn't just asking what we can do for you. It's actually putting those words into action.
Kathleen:
When you have the right support, you spend less energy navigating barriers and more energy delivering meaningful work.
Fineen:
This allows me to focus on bringing my expertise and accessibility to my work.
[Accessibility at BDO]
For people with disabilities, getting the support they need at work isn't always straightforward
Kathleen:
I live with a chronic pain disability that affects my day-to-day. But thankfully here at BDO, you wouldn't know it. Managing a chronic pain condition requires flexibility, and BDO has given me trust and autonomy to work in ways that allow me to perform at my highest level. Rather than worrying about how I'll manage my day, I can focus on creating impact for our clients and supporting my team.
Before joining BDO, Kathleen Macmillan was repeatedly asked to justify the support she needed.
Rebecca Armstrong has been working at BDO for over 25 years. As her eyesight began to deteriorate, she found support at BDO when she needed it most.
Rebecca:
One thing I've really appreciated is losing my vision did not stop my career from progressing. I continue to learn new things and take on new challenges, and BDO has been completely supportive all along this journey. Honestly, it's the little things. It's being able to turn off the lights in my office that help reduce the eye strain. That way I can really just focus on my work and do my best job.
Using my screen reader and the large monitors in my office allow me to really focus on what's important, the work and supporting my colleagues. Having this technology just blend into my day means I don't have to think about my vision. I can just do the work, and that just makes all the difference.
Fineen Davis lives with a degenerative condition that has changed her mobility over time.
Fineen:
BDO has supported me in doing my best work every day by allowing a lot of flexibility. Where and how I work fluctuates because my disability is dynamic. Allowing flexibility accommodates my changing needs. I've never felt like my dynamic disability and evolving needs are a burden to my team or take away from the work that I do, as well as access to professional development, training, and education without barriers.
For chronic pain in her hands Fineen uses and adaptive keyboard, speech-to-text and text-speech tools from BDO.
For Kathleen, Fineen and Becky, accessibility also means ensuring accommodations don't become a barrier to career growth.
Kathleen:
BDO has invested in my growth, trusted my expertise, and given me opportunities to lead meaningful accessibility work that combines my lived experience with my consulting expertise. It's rewarding to know that my personal experiences have become a strength that helps create positive change for our clients and people with disabilities.
Fineen:
Genuine care in the workplace at BDO has looked like support from the partner within my service line who frequently checks in to make sure that I have everything I need to do my best work, as well as my people leader who is very attuned to my needs and is proactive in making changes.
Rebecca:
You should never be defined by what you can't do, but always strive to do the best that you can with what you have. Those skills and that individual talent that you bring, they define who you are, not your disability.