Purchasing Power The Inclusion of Disability-Owned Business Enterprises in Corporate Supply Chains

Panelists Aditi Dussault, Disability Supplier Diversity Program Manager, US Business Leadership Network Patti Lind, Executive Director, The Abilities Fund Lori Golden, AccessAbilities Leader, Ernst & Young Susan Daniels, Principal, Daniels and Associates

What is Supplier Diversity? Corporations recognized the strategy of segmenting markets Segments realized the importance of workplace advocacy Advocacy has expanded to the procurement arena

History of Supplier Diversity Started with National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) and certification of minority-owned businesses over 30 years ago Womens Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) began WBE certification over 10 years ago National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) began offering LGBTBE certification about 3 years ago The US Business Leadership is currently piloting the Disability Supplier Diversity Program (DSDP) which offers certification for Disability-Owned Business Enterprises (DOBEs) Will launch the certification program officially January 1 st, 2010

Benefits of Certification Access to supplier diversity personnel within major corporations Business to business opportunities for collaboration and new business development Opportunities to participate in corporate mentorship programs Certification is a differentiator from your competition Ability to brand your business as a certified DOBE

Certification Process Overview Applicant initiates certification process (60-90 days) Application Received by USBLN & Reviewed for Completion Application undergoes initial review by National Certification Committee Site Visit Scheduled & Conducted Final Review of Application by National Certification Committee Determination sent to business within 15 business days

Certification Criteria Must be at least 51% owned, operated, managed, and controlled by individuals with a disability and/or service-disabled veterans who are either U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents Must exercise independence from any business enterprise which is not owned by a person with a disability (or persons with disabilities) Have its principal place of business (headquarters) in the United States Have been formed as a legal entity in the United States

Definition Disability is defined as a physical and/or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities of an individual, …and can be demonstrated by appropriate documentation issued from a vocational rehabilitation specialist; any Federal agency, State agency or an agency of the District of Columbia or a U.S. territory that issues or provides disability benefits; or from a licensed medical professional that state the individual is a person with a disability A Service-Disabled Veteran is a person who served in the active military, naval, or air service, and who was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable, and whose disability was incurred or aggravated in the line of duty in the active military, naval, or air service

Disability Status Qualifiers Appropriate documentation from a licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist Appropriate documentation issued from any Federal agency, State agency, or agency of the District of Columbia or a U.S. territory that issues or provides disability benefits USBLN® Physicians certification of disability form from a licensed medical professional indicating that the individual is a person with a disability For Service-Disabled Veteran status, an adjudication letter from the VA, a Department of Defense form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty), or a Statement of Service from the National Archives and Records Administration stating that the individual has a service- connected disability

The Abilities Fund The Abilities Fund is the first and only nationwide community developer and financing organization targeted exclusively to advancing entrepreneurial opportunities for Americans with disabilities.

The Abilities Fund Role with the DSDP Pre certification technical assistance to promising entrepreneurs Post certification technical assistance to enhance access to supplier diversity markets Access to capital for start up and existing businesses

Diversity & Inclusiveness at Ernst & Young Inclusiveness is one of three global strategic priorities; source of competitive advantage Americas key issues: gender, ethnicity, LGBT, disabilities, generations Structure: Global CIO, Americas CIO, I Council, I Team, Steering Committees, IFLs, ERGs Accountability: Leadership Matters, BSCs, individual performance goals, etc.

Why Focus on Disabilities? Talent issue War for talent Need to optimize talent weve invested in Business issue Better business solutions PWDs are creative problem solvers Work across difference Clients demand diversity Strategic business issue, not philanthropic

Why Focus on Supplier Diversity? Disabilities efforts aimed at enabling EY PWDs and educating all our people ERG members want to impact society by leading positive change Firm committed to strengthening our communities Close gap in D&I efforts – only group missing from supplier diversity program

Why Focus on Disabilities? Talent issue War for talent Need to optimize talent weve invested in Business issue Better business solutions PWDs are creative problem solvers Work across difference Clients demand diversity Strategic business issue, not philanthropic

About Daniels & Associates Daniels & Associates provides research and policy analysis of disability issues; outreach consulting and management; workplace accessibility and diversity; and human network management Why did I get certified?

Questions? Contact Aditi Dussault