Vinay Ramnath, an analyst in Consulting at Deloitte US-India Offices, shares his journey of dealing with microtia, on what keeps him motivated and his inclusive experience at Deloitte.
A journey of determination
I am a Person with Disability (PwD) with a hearing impairment. My hearing impairment is a result of microtia, a condition characterized by the deformation of the ear structure. Both my ears were affected at birth, but a surgery at the age of seven created an artificial canal inside one of my ears, significantly improving my hearing ability. Today, when I am in proximity with an individual, I am able to communicate effectively, but the challenge persists when I have to hear and communicate with someone at a distance.
When I decided to pursue a career in core engineering, I faced a lot of skepticism and discouragement. However, I embarked on a path to prove the naysayers wrong, first by enrolling for a Diploma in Electronics Engineering and subsequently earning my bachelor’s degree in Electronics Engineering from Pillai College of Engineering, Navi Mumbai. I went ahead and obtained a Post Graduate Diploma in Operations Management in 2020. Prior to joining Deloitte, I had some experience of working in corporate as well as running my own startup. In all my pursuits, I was driven by my passion to prove that my impairment is not a deterrent in achieving any of my goals.
My personal motivation and support system
My determination to excel and stand out in the crowd has been a driving force throughout my journey. I credit much of my persistence and success to my parents, particularly my mother, whose tireless efforts and firm support continue to inspire and motivate me.
The impactful opportunities at Deloitte
My experience at Deloitte has been transformative, due to the incredible support I’ve received from my team. When I opened up about my condition, I found myself in an inclusive and empathetic environment – a response that I truly appreciate. Deloitte’s culture fosters transparency and impartiality and made me feel integrated with the team. My journey at Deloitte is a testament to the positive impact a supportive work environment can create.
Here, I get to apply my unique skills and create a meaningful impact. The clear expectation setting and alignment between the competency of an individual to the project requirement is an aspect I deeply value in this organization. The opportunity to interact with project leads enables smooth onboarding, helping them perform their best.
Deloitte’s employee engagement initiatives are designed to be inclusive. I was delighted to discover that Deloitte offers insurance programs that cover the cost of hearing aids. This significantly eases the financial burden on individuals with hearing impairment who depend on assistive devices to function seamlessly. It has personally benefited me and it exemplifies Deloitte’s commitment to support PwD professionals in their career journey.
The views expressed here are of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of his current, former, or future employers or any organization with which he is associated.