JobAccess seminar highlights the benefits of disability employment to foster workplace innovation
20 August 2024
JobAccess held its 36th Driving Disability Employment seminar in Melbourne on 8 August 2024. The event provided employers with information on how to attract, employ, and support people with disability at work.
Over 100 employers from cross-sector industries attended the seminar. Inclusive employers and industry experts offered insights on building a disability-confident workplace culture. Also, employees with lived experience shared the barriers and progress they’ve made in their employment journey.
In her keynote, Paralympic champion and business leader Katrina Webb OAM, said, “It’s ok to be different and love the unique abilities and strengths that come with disability. Having a strengths-based approach can help you develop and evolve into an extraordinary human being.”
JobAccess General Manager Daniel Valiente-Riedl said inclusive policies and practices are key to increase the employment and retention of people with disability.
“Organisations that embrace disability-inclusive policies and welcome people with disability in their workplace reap long-term benefits. These range from stronger brand reputation and customer loyalty through to higher employee retention and staff morale,” shared Daniel.
Janeene Beeforth, Senior Software Engineer, EstimateOne Pty Ltd, said that employers need to be flexible and open-minded when hiring and supporting people with disability.
She added, “Don't assume that people with disability will be incapable of doing a particular job. Trust them because they know what they need to do their best work.”
Disability Advocate and Blind Content Creator, Karan Nagrani, said, “Accessibility starts from you, as an individual. You can't expect an organisation to be inclusive if you don't have that mindset.”
He further highlighted that most disabilities are invisible. So, employers should not judge people by their appearance.
Primal Fernando, Vice President - Digital Inclusion at Victorian Public Sector Enablers Network encouraged employers to change their mindset. He asked them to give equal opportunities to people with disability for career progression.
“It's good to employ people with disability. However, it’s also crucial to include people with disability in leadership and management roles to fully utilise their potential,” said Primal.
Kerrie Loveless, DEI Consultant at the Royal Melbourne Hospital, said, “As an employer, one of the big changes we have made is to increase disability awareness. Along with this, we are also working to implement inclusive policies and procedures to support our staff with lived experience.”
We now have various staff with lived experience on our committee, and that’s quite powerful.”
Anaab Rooble, Manager, Diversity and Inclusion, Department of Families, Fairness and Housing and President, Victorian Public Sector Enablers Network, said, “Creating a safe culture is crucial to help people with disability feel a sense of belonging. It also enables them to bring their best at work.”
Sophie Burzacott, HR Business Partner, Ford Australia highlighted, “When employees are aware that the senior leaders are there to listen and work with you, it’s truly beneficial. It helps employees share their lived experience.
It also helps the organisation in understanding, the reasons why they need to change, and the benefits of making change,” shared Sophie.
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