Matthew's Story - Improving our awareness of diversity and inclusion in the workplace

Summary

In this inspiring conversation, Matthew shares his personal journey of overcoming adversity after a tragic accident at a young age that led to the loss of both arms. Despite the challenges, he thrived in his career, becoming the Head of Tax for BAE in Australia. Matthew also reflects on his experiences as a Paralympic skier and highlights the importance of inclusive hiring practices. He emphasizes that disabilities should not define a person's ability to contribute to the workforce and advocates for businesses to recognize and tap into the untapped skills within the disabled community.

Takeaways

• 😀 Matthew grew up in country Victoria and faced a life-changing accident at the age of two and a half, resulting in the loss of both arms. Despite this, he grew up with a sense of normalcy and didn't see his disability as a limitation.
• 😀 Matthew's role as Head of Tax for Australia involves overseeing all tax aspects within BAE and supporting the global tax function, despite his disability not impacting his ability to perform tasks, though he sometimes arranges his work to use more verbal communication.
• 😀 His interest in skiing began in grade six, and it led to his participation in the 1998 Paralympic Games in Nagano, Japan, where he was exposed to different ways people with disabilities manage their daily tasks.
• 😀 Matthew reflects on his experience as a university graduate seeking employment, particularly in large accounting firms, where he faced bias regarding his disability. He was eventually offered a job at the Australian Taxation Office (ATO).
• 😀 In his job interviews, Matthew was often concerned about how his disability would be perceived, but when he interviewed for BAE, the focus was on his abilities and qualifications, not his disability.
• 😀 Companies may hesitate to hire people with physical disabilities due to perceived challenges, but Matthew emphasizes the importance of getting people through the door and addressing any barriers after the fact, such as ramps or specialized equipment.
• 😀 Matthew uses an example from his university days when engineers at the Adelaide University Gliding Club treated his disability as an engineering problem, adapting the glider so he could fly, demonstrating the power of flexible problem-solving.
• 😀 When meeting new people, Matthew encourages them to treat individuals with disabilities as equals and highlights that most office-based jobs primarily involve mental work, meaning a physical disability doesn't necessarily hinder job performance.
• 😀 He advocates for companies to tap into the potential of disabled individuals, noting that many skills are being overlooked due to biases, and the right talent should be used for the benefit of both the business and the community.
• 😀 Matthew's message to companies is simple: employing people with disabilities is not only the right thing to do, but it also benefits the business in terms of culture and talent acquisition.

Q & A

What significant event in Matthew's early life shaped his perspective and abilities?

At the age of two and a half, Matthew suffered a life-changing accident where both his arms were severed by a grain auger while playing with it on his family's farm in rural Victoria. Despite this, he grew up feeling 'normal' and adapted to life without arms, finding ways to perform tasks differently.

How did Matthew adapt to his disability in his professional life?

Matthew adapted to his disability by finding ways to perform tasks verbally or using his feet, such as typing with his feet instead of using his hands. His role as the Head of Tax for BAE did not significantly affect his work, as he found ways to work around it, including organizing tasks to maximize his strengths.

What motivated Matthew to start skiing, and how did it impact his life?

Matthew's interest in skiing started during a school camp in grade six. His passion grew when he met disabled Paralympians at a ski sale, and he eventually went on to compete in the 1998 Paralympic Games in Nagano, Japan. This experience helped him realize the different ways people with disabilities adapt to challenges.

What realization did Matthew have at the Paralympics about people with disabilities?

At the Paralympics, Matthew was surprised to see that many athletes with disabilities, especially those without arms, faced different challenges than he did. His early accident allowed him to develop more independence, such as using chopsticks with his feet, but others had more significant limitations.

How did Matthew’s university and early career experiences shape his view on employment for people with disabilities?

Matthew faced challenges when applying for jobs at large accounting firms after university, as some interviewers were uninterested or dismissive due to his disability. A partner at a second-tier firm gave him candid advice, suggesting he apply to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), where his skills and qualifications were valued despite his disability.

What was Matthew’s concern when he interviewed for BAE?

Matthew was concerned that the interviewer would focus on his disability rather than his skills and qualifications. He wondered if the interviewer would question his ability to do the job, especially considering his lack of arms.

What was Andy’s response when Matthew asked if his disability would be a concern during the BAE interview?

Andy responded that Matthew’s extensive career at the ATO and Ernst & Young spoke for itself, and that if there had been any issues with his disability, those organizations would have already identified them. He emphasized that Matthew’s skills and experience were the most important factors.

What advice did Matthew give to employers about hiring people with disabilities?

Matthew suggested that employers should focus on getting people with disabilities in the door first. Once they are hired, any necessary adjustments, such as ramps, special equipment, or Braille, can be addressed. Being flexible and responsive to employees' needs is key to integrating them into the workplace.

Can you provide an example where engineers solved an accessibility issue for Matthew?

Matthew shared his experience with the Adelaide University Gliding Club, where engineers found a solution that allowed him to fly a glider. They viewed the challenge as an engineering problem, adjusting the glider and adding new levers to make it accessible to him. This practical, problem-solving approach allowed him to achieve his dream of flying solo.

What message does Matthew want to convey about treating people with disabilities?

Matthew emphasizes that people with disabilities should be treated as individuals first. He encourages others to focus on the person’s skills and abilities, not their disability, suggesting that if a person could perform a job before their injury, they can likely continue to contribute with the right support and adjustments.