The unemployment rate for people with disability has remained virtually unchanged for thirty years – but a new report challenges businesses to do better.
Produced by not-for-profit SSI, the Pathways to Possibilities: Harnessing the economic potential of people with disability provides practical suggestions for businesses to show them how to tap into the talents of more than 100,000 jobseekers with disability.
It is based on both data and real-life experiences and asks businesses to make four practical commitments:
- Put disability inclusion at the heart of your business
- Become disability confident
- Empower your leaders to drive change
- Create a safe, supportive, and accommodating culture.
“There are simple, practical steps organisations of any size can take to level the playing field and tap into this workforce, for the benefit of individuals and businesses,” SSI CEO Violet Roumeliotis said.
“We are calling on businesses to contribute to positive change by committing to making job ads accessible, providing internships and job-sharing opportunities, connecting with disability employment agencies, and more.”
Ms Roumeliotis added that many employers are also held back by misconceptions around employing people with disability.
“Employers often incorrectly assume that hiring people with disability will require costly adjustments. In fact, 88 per cent of Australians with disability do not require any specific workplace adjustments, and for those who do, 60 per cent cost nothing.”
And, when employees do require adjustments that require financial investment, government help is available to cover expenses for eligible people, such as the services provided by Job Access.
Abrahim’s story
At a time when one in three businesses are struggling to fill roles, highly qualified professionals with disability like accountant Abrahim Darouiche, struggle to break into the workforce.
“People with disability have the skills, knowledge, and willingness to learn and grow that businesses need. We just need to be given that chance,” he said.
Despite holding a master’s degree in business and commerce, inaccessible recruitment practices and a lack of information on workplace accommodations for people with disability placed Abrahim at a disadvantage in finding employment.
After years of moving in and out of jobs in unrelated industries, a networking event finally provided Abrahim with the chance to speak with employers directly. Through this, he was able to get a part-time role as an Accounts Manager at a disability provider in Southwest Sydney.
“Simple things such as making ads accessible and taking the time to ask an applicant about their accessibility needs can make a big difference in ensuring people like me feel welcome,” he said.