Disabled man told job was for 'normal looking people'

FOUR years ago Ipswich man Andrew Weier was in a serious car accident that left him close to death.

FOUR years ago Ipswich man Andrew Weier was in a serious car accident that left him close to death.

He was in a coma for four months and spent nine months in hospital.

Andrew, now 24, spent a year in a wheelchair before he managed to get back on his feet and even though he has undergone an extensive rehabilitation program, he will never have full use of his left leg again because his knee joint hyperextends.

He uses a walking stick to get around and is considered disabled.

Now, after years in recovery, Andrew is trying to get back to a 'normal' life, but finding work with a disability had proved challenging.

He knows he can't do labour intensive work, so a few months ago approached a local food business owner hoping he could work on the counter.

"I figured all I had to do was stand at the counter, take peoples' money and give them their food," Andrew said.

"When I asked, he told me; 'No sorry Andrew, we might just leave that for the normal looking people and the young girls because they attract all the customers'.

"I was pretty shocked. I thought he was a nice fellow and he might be accommodating, but obviously not."

Disabled Ipswich man Andrew Weier, 24 wants to be able to work in a normal job, just like everyone else. Pictured with his carer Suli Kurene from Real Community Services at the annual Fresh Futures event showcasing disability support services. Picture: Helen Spelitis

Andrew's story is an example of the attitude one Ipswich organisation is passionately fighting in the lead up to the rollout of the National Disability Insurance Scheme in Queensland.

Community Access and Transition Service Inc, better known as CATS, took to the streets to ask local business owners and residents how they will respond to the NDIS rollout.

They've made that into a documentary, shown for the first time in public last week, which highlights how the NDIS affects the community rather than the 7000 Ipswich people who will be registered under the scheme.

Brett Briggs was the man behind the camera and says the million dollar question is; how can you give someone with a disability an opportunity to be a part of your workplace?

Brett Briggs from CATS helped produce the documentary to prepare for the NDIS rollout. Picture: Helen Spelitis

"How can we as Ipswich, be inclusive to these people under the scheme?" Mr Briggs, who works for CATS, said.

"I'm passionate to see everyone live their best life.

"People with disabilities are really wanting to live their best lives but sometimes they don't have that opportunity sometimes because of restrictions from their disability.

"Sometimes it can be restrictions from community, that perhaps even without realising it, aren't giving them the opportunities they need to live that life."

That's a concept the owners of Ausmech Mechanical Solutions at Raceview understand first-hand.

For the past six years, once or twice a week a 32-year-old disabled man named Trevor comes into their shop with his carer to get some hands-on work experience.

The team give him helpful chores like cleaning parts, but owner Ken Jenkins says it's the social experience that Trevor enjoys the most.

"We call him the supervisor," Ken said.

"We do it to help people like Trevor be included in the community.

"I would recommend to any other business to do the same.

"It helps give people experience with other people in a workplace and if they have the skills or ability it may lead them to getting meaningful employment for themselves, which is what many want.

"He really looks forward to coming in and is quite proud of his place here."

The full 18 minute documentary created by CATS will be officially launched within the next few weeks.