Disability - Corporate Responsibility

Disability

From our 2007 "My Difference" census we know that:

Three percent of ANZ employees in Australia identify with having a disability
Our employees with a disability want the opportunity to use their experiences of disability to enhance their contribution to ANZ
The degree of support given by managers and team members is a defining factor in the retention of employees with disabilities

To help support our employees with a disability ANZ has established a Disability Action Plan and Disability Employee Network.

The Disability Action Plan (DAP) describes how we intend to support people with disabilities. It outlines specific and measurable steps we will take to ensure our workplace welcomes, supports and celebrates the unique contributions of all our people, and to ensure our products and services are accessible to everyone. It is overseen by the DAP Steering Committee. The Committee comprises a group of senior leaders who have responsibility and accountability for the implementation of the Disability Action Plan, and is chaired by the Managing Director, Retail Products, Australia.

The Disability Network is a group of ANZ staff at all levels and from all over Australia who want to find ways to better support our staff and customers who experience disability. It aims to foster inclusiveness and diversity, raise awareness of disability and accessibility, and represent staff in issues relating to disability.

Case study: Supporting employees with a disability
ANZ employees living with a disability now have access to specialised technology assistance through the Technology Accessibility Helpline. According to ANZ's Chief Information Officer, Peter Dalton, the helpline is part of ANZ's commitment to support employees with a disability" "It's important that we create a culture and workplace that is inclusive and this means our technology must be accessible to everyone at ANZ. "Via the Technology Accessibility Helpline, our people can now receive assistance resolving technology issues they are experiencing, discuss anything related to accessibility or get advice on how to access the technology products and services available at ANZ." ANZ's Hamish Mackenzie manages the helpline: "There have already been some great examples of where this helpline has given our staff greater accessibility to technology. "For example, I've been able to provide vision-impaired staff with useful tips on how to use their computer screen readers more effectively and complete mandatory compliance courses or, more simply, sort through their Outlook inbox."

Case study: Supporting employees with a disability

ANZ employees living with a disability now have access to specialised technology assistance through the Technology Accessibility Helpline.

According to ANZ's Chief Information Officer, Peter Dalton, the helpline is part of ANZ's commitment to support employees with a disability"

"It's important that we create a culture and workplace that is inclusive and this means our technology must be accessible to everyone at ANZ.

"Via the Technology Accessibility Helpline, our people can now receive assistance resolving technology issues they are experiencing, discuss anything related to accessibility or get advice on how to access the technology products and services available at ANZ."

ANZ's Hamish Mackenzie manages the helpline:

"There have already been some great examples of where this helpline has given our staff greater accessibility to technology.

"For example, I've been able to provide vision-impaired staff with useful tips on how to use their computer screen readers more effectively and complete mandatory compliance courses or, more simply, sort through their Outlook inbox."

Progress in 2008

In September 2007, ANZ launched its second Disability Action Plan. The Plan outlines ANZ's strategy to increase support and inclusion for customers, staff and other community members with disabilities.

A key achievement since the Plan was introduced has been significant steps towards making information about our products more accessible.

People who have difficulty accessing standard printed material, including customers with a visual impairment can now access nine of our most commonly used product documents in Braille, large print and audio CD format by calling 1800 ANZ DAP (1800 269 327). Four of these brochures are also accessible online in electronic text and audio MP3 format.

Download ANZ's Disability Action Plan (PDF 1.0MB)
Watch the Reach Out video (WMV 25MB) or read the transcript (PDF 20kB)

The future

We are currently reviewing some of our policies and practices in the area of recruitment. Some of this initial work has enabled us to recruit three graduates with disabilities who will start with us in 2009.

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