With JobAccess’ support, self-employed Suzana is delighted to be able to work face to face again

A woman is sitting with her back to the camera while working on her laptop. — **Image:** a woman is sitting with her back to the camera while working on her laptop.

Suzana and her husband run a signage business in New South Wales (NSW). Since 2019, Suzana has been working from home, as she is immunocompromised. Four years later, she is delighted to be back in the office.

A difficult transition to working from home

In her role, Suzana looks after the business’ accounts, and works with customers on their signage purchases. Suzana has been living with arthritis for 25 years. She started working from home in 2019 due to pain from her arthritis. When COVID-19 came to Australia in 2020, Suzana she continued working from home due to her immune system, as being in the office was a risk throughout the pandemic.

Suzana really enjoys being in the office, working with colleagues and customers. “I like to be with customers helping them make decisions, and I always liked numbers and maths, so I enjoy the accounting too,” shared Suzana. Suzana prefers face-to-face interactions and working in a different environment to home. After four years of working from home, she has felt the effects both physically and mentally.

The effects of her arthritis started to increase over the last years. She was finding it difficult to work efficiently without increasing her pain. As Suzana describes, she had gotten used to her situation. “When you are living with some disability, you kind of get used to it and finding your own way to deal with it. And you adjust how you do things without knowing what help is available,” she shared.

Environmental barriers at work

Suzana experienced a range of environmental barriers at work. For example, she found it difficult to get up from sitting on a low chair. She also struggled with sitting on a higher chair. Staying in a chair for a long time also became very uncomfortable and caused pain.

Suzana frequently uses her computer for work. After trying different keyboards and mouses, she found typing challenging and time consuming, as she can only type with one finger. Suzana started to look at what other supports were out there so she could continue her work, that she thoroughly enjoys.

Suzana discovers JobAccess

Suzana was looking for supports online and came across the VELA chair. After speaking with a VELA salesperson, she found out about JobAccess. She also learnt about the Employment Assistance Fund (EAF) that provides financial support to buy workplace equipment and other supports, which help remove disability-specific barriers.

Suzana lodged an EAF application through the JobAccess website. Soon after, JobAccess organised an independent occupational therapist (OT) to visit Suzana’s workplace to assess her needs. The OT also recommended a VELA assistive chair, specialised ergonomic set-up including dragon-to-speech – to – text software, so that Suzana can speak into the computer and the software automatically converts it into text.

Suzana also received a specialised keyboard with an in-built mouse and touch sensitive keys that make typing so much easier. This keyboard causes Suzana less pain and it means that she can work faster.

“JobAccess not only helped me find the right equipment I needed for work, but they also helped me realise that I need more help with a lot of tasks, so now I can do much more and I am feeling more productive.”

– Suzana.

Suzana found the supports funded through JobAccess to be lifechanging and pain reducing. She also realised they helped her discover other areas of her life where she can seek help.

“The equipment has changed my life, seriously. I can type faster and it’s helping a lot. Also, the chair, it’s very comfortable, I used to get a sore back and now I don’t. JobAccess not only helped me find the right equipment I needed for work, but they also helped me realise that I need more help with a lot of tasks, so now I can do much more and I am feeling more productive,” said Suzana.

Suzana is thriving back in the office

Suzana is happier and more productive now that she’s back in the office. When she worked from home, she missed talking to customers. She thought her work life was ending because of her pain. But with her new setup and help from JobAccess, she’s excited to go to the office every day.

“The most important thing is that they [JobAccess] made me feel good about myself, and that I can go back to work. I thought this was it, work was done, but I can go back and still be part of society.”

– Suzana.

Suzana found the process of working with JobAccess to be supportive and efficient. JobAccess Professional Adviser Chantal Hardey worked with Suzana to assist with workplace adjustments and the EAF application. Suzana’s funded equipment was delivered quickly, and it was all set up for her so she could use it right away.

“Chantal from JobAccess and the OT that came to see me were both really wonderful. They knew what I needed before I did, and their support was just amazing,” shared Suzana.

“Everything supplied from JobAccess works wonderfully. The most important thing is that they made me feel good about myself, and that I can go back to work. I thought this was it, work was done, but I can go back and still be part of society. When I go to work, I feel happy,” concluded Suzana.

Speak to the experts about workplace adjustments

JobAccess is the go-to expert for disability employment matters. It helps removes barriers to sustainable employment for people with disability via programs like the Employment Assistance Fund.

For free, tailored and expert support, just like Suzana received, reach out to JobAccess on 1800 464 800 or submit an online enquiry.

Last updated: 12 April 2024 - 8:02am