An organisation like Disability Employment Service (DES) continues to champion the employment of people with disability and supports those already working. However, the uptake of disabled employees is far from satisfactory, considering that the impaired comprise the most significant minority in societies.
Finding living with disability employment remains challenging and can be a daunting task, encompassing the search for inclusive work environments and accommodating hiring processes. However, there are valuable tips to navigate this often challenging landscape and find sustainable and suitable employment with disability-friendly employers.
By leveraging these strategies, individuals can overcome barriers and increase their chances of finding employment in workplaces that embrace diversity and provide the necessary accommodations for those living with disabilities.
Incentives for Disability-Friendly Employers
One in five Australians has lived with a disability at some point. It shows the vast pool of talent that employers who embrace diversity in the workplace keep exploiting to meet labour shortage gaps. Suitably qualified people, regardless of their disability, have equal chances of employment in such organisations as other candidates.
The government motivates such employers by giving them wage subsidies when they hire people living with a disability. Programs such as the Supported Wage System exist for employers who hire those whose impairment hinders them from performing tasks in a similar capacity to their colleagues. Another wage subsidy comes from the DES, which employers receive after hiring employees with disability.
Employers receive funding to modify the workplace environment to make it suitable for employees living with a disability. The state also runs a supported wage system that ensures the preservation of job opportunities for the skilled with disability.
Knowing employers have plenty of incentives and goodwill to hire workers with disability, the question is, how can one locate such disability-friendly employers?
How to Find Disability-Friendly Employers
The information about employers who have embraced inclusivity and diversity in workplaces is available online. You can find it on government websites and organisations collaborating with the government to support this course. Here’s how to get such information;
- By scrutinising sites that list such employers as well as their contacts
The Federal government and other government and not-for-profit organisations post listings of disability–friendly employers. DES providers receive funding from the government to provide employment services and support to people with a disability.
Once someone registers with them, they collect details of one’s qualifications, goals, skills and experience. This information becomes a guide in finding relevant employers.
- Some disability-friendly organisations work with recruitment agencies that offer a platform for employers and prospective employees with a disability to link.
- One can register with or consult charities that collect data about inclusive employers and facilitate the creation of employment opportunities for those with disability.
- Some employers actively advertise job opportunities specifically for people with disability. So perusing job search sites is another way of connecting with such employers.
- Look out for organisations that designate a specific number of internship and graduate positions for people living with a disability.
- By engaging local organisations and lobby groups that focus on disability advocacy.
- One can offer voluntary services as a bridge towards finding a job. Such an arrangement allows the person to showcase and develop their skills. It helps in building connections that could lead to better employment prospects. As such, someone can work without the pressure of applying formally for a job.
- Through personal connections and networks such as friends and relatives.
These understand the nature of the disability and are in a position to offer employment, or they can put a word in a relevant organisation where the person would fit.
- With the in-person approach, one goes to the prospective workplace in person and enquires about available or possible vacancies.
- By pursuing opportunities in the Australian Public Service Commission (APS), the biggest employer for people living with a disability. Searching on this federal government website requires you to tick the Recruitability checkbox to view the jobs available on the Recruitablity scheme for persons with a disability.
There is Hope in Collaborating Disability-Friendly Employers
Although finding employment for people with a disability tends to be a challenge, all is not lost. There are numerous viable ways of locating disability-friendly employers and getting hired.
Also read: Benefits and Importance of Workplace Safety Training
