International Day of People with Disability: Push for employers to diversify workforce

One in five Australians live with disability yet they are 30 per cent less likely to gain employment than the general population. This must change.

For the past 30 years, the rate of employment for people with disability has remained at almost 30 per cent less than the general population – a shocking statistic that is in everyone’s best interest to improve, according to disability advocates.

As the country’s labour force recovers from pandemic restrictions, Disability Discrimination Commissioner Dr Ben Gauntlett implored business leaders to realise the benefits of having an inclusive workforce this International Day for People with Disability (today).

“Having good disability employment policies creates a more open workplace, where people feel more comfortable in revealing their true selves,” Dr Gauntlett said.

“We know diverse teams create better products and when one in five Australians live with disability, that’s an enormous amount of your customer base.

Dr Ben Gauntlett is the Australian Disability Discrimination Commissioner. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

“The other thing people forget in relation to disability is there are 2.65 million Australians living with caring responsibilities … and 4.4 million Australians living with disability.

When an individual with disability is able to obtain work, it also can mean that changes their living circumstances and can have a flow on effects to their immediate extended family.”

Crown Resorts launched its CROWNability program in 2014 to increase the participation of people with disability in its workforce and since its inception has trained and placed more than 650 people.

“People with disability bring with them a diverse range of strengths and skills,” CROWNability employment program manager Ian Tsolakis said.

“Often they have a resilience and a determination borne out of how much they need to fight to be considered equals in their day to day life – it’s a new and important perspective that adds so much value, engagement and a sense of community within our employee base.”

Robbie Logan lives with an acquired brain injury as a result of childhood cancer and works in a reception role at Crown Sydney. Picture: Ross Coffey

Mr Tsolakis said the Covid pandemic had placed employment for people with a disability at a crossroads.

“On one hand the pandemic has heightened the barriers to access and inclusion, particularly as a result of isolation, diminished services and cost-cutting or resource reallocation exercises, but on the other; with many people working from home, our community has experienced a snapshot of what a person experiences when faced with access and inclusion barriers,” he said.

Childhood cancer survivor Robbie Logan benefited from the CROWNability program and gained employment working front desk/reception at Crown Sydney’s corporate offices after 12 years working in cooking roles took its toll.

“My childhood cancer which led to an acquired brain injury mainly impacts my memory, concentration and energy,” he said.

“Cooking roles are stressful and required me to multi-task most of the time which became quite draining given my cognitive issues.

“CROWNability has given me the right tools and support to ensure I am successful and happy in my work. Regular communication, feedback, openness to a revised workday structure and the ongoing development of my task list helps me develop and grow in my role.”