For Michael* finally being able to work after a few dreadful accidents left him with permanent severe injuries means far more than just being gainfully employed. His new job working with maintenance and managing the lawns for a sporting club is giving him back life. “I have suffered from depression. “I know what causes it. It’s being locked up and sitting there doing nothing, staring at the walls…, Run of bad luck, Not one, but two, separate accidents have left him with badly broken feet that – in his own words – don’t work too well. He was working on a construction site a few years when, according to Michael, “half a tonne of iron” was dropped on his right foot. Then a couple of years ago, he had a car accident that left him badly injured. “My (left) foot shattered into seven pieces.” Now he was really in…, Getting moving and mowing, thanks to JobAccess, The former construction and roadside worker is still in considerable pain, particularly in his left foot. Walking is very difficult. “One foot is bad enough, but two causing such pain and not working is a big issue.” To function, he needs to be careful how he manages his rehab, recovery and pain levels. Michael was grateful to his Disability Employment Service (DES) provider , which helped him…, Process easier than thought, “When they were saying they might be able to get me a buggy. I’m thinking ‘yeah and pigs might fly’! “I really thought: ‘Well that’s never going to happen there’s so much paperwork’. But it wasn’t hard. JobAccess helped me and were really very good. “The job is going well. Particularly since I’ve got the buggy. I am feeling much more useful. It’s so good to be back at work.”, Adjustments can open the door to opportunities, JobAccess has a team of front-line professionals, including occupational therapists, who provide expert, confidential and tailored advice regarding workplace adjustments at first contact. Workplace adjustments include administrative, environmental or procedural changes to enable people with disability to have equitable employment opportunities. However, not all people with disability require…, Talk to us about workplace adjustments., There is a wide range of support available from JobAccess for people with disability, employers, and service providers. JobAccess has managed over 61,000 applications for funding workplace adjustments since 2006. Each one makes a difference by helping people with disability get work, keep work, and progress their careers. Contact JobAccess on 1800 464 800, 1800 464 800, to speak to our friendly and resourceful Advisers about workplace adjustments and the Employment Assistance Fund . You can also submit an online enquiry through the JobAccess website.
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In the face of widespread discrimination and extreme physical challenges, Jude Lee has always seen life’s possibilities. He has been able to sustain a successful legal career, thanks to support from JobAccess., Jude Lee – once a litigation lawyer in the big end of town pursuing the likes of giant corporate raiders and defending large multinationals– has always had a vision of what was possible for him. Diagnosed with degenerative spinal muscular atrophy at the age of six, he has never really been able to walk or lift his hands over his head. As his muscles weakened, the crutches gave way to a permanent…, Determined to shine, Despite happily attending mainstream primary and secondary schools in Melbourne’s Eastern suburbs, someone suggested that because of his disability he should be educated alongside others with disability. He was enrolled in a disability facility in a completely non-academic program. “They were the worst two years of my life,” says Jude, who runs his own legal practice in Darwin, reputedly one of…, Not everyone could see his abilities, But it hasn’t been easy for Jude, who has a double degree in Science and Law and was once the Regional Director for the Australian Government Solicitors. He has faced widespread discrimination. “It’s pretty much at all levels – from the person in the street to corporate situations where people undermine you. Unfortunately, people judge you,” said Jude, who left his highflying corporate lawyers’…, Workplace modifications have saved his career, Jude first reached out to JobAccess – the Australian Government’s hub for disability employment information – in 2007 for support with funding workplace adjustments. Since then, JobAccess has supported him with a wide range of adjustments , including ensuring his office has automatic doors to accommodate his wheelchair, and significant ongoing modifications to his car. “I am probably the weakest…, Like to learn more?, There is a wide range of support available from JobAccess for people with disability, employers, and service providers. JobAccess has managed over 58,000 applications for funding workplace adjustments since 2006. Each one makes a difference by helping people with disability get work, keep work, and progress their careers. Contact JobAccess on, 1800 464 800, to speak to our friendly and resourceful Advisers about workplace adjustments and the Employment Assistance Fund . You can also Online Enquiry Form submit an online enquiry through the JobAccess website.
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Once you’ve had a person with disability apply for a job, what comes next? Just like with anyone else, it’s time for an interview. Sometimes, people with disability will need adjustments during the interview process. Gary Butcher, Manager of Business Solutions at Dexar Group, knows this well. “When we decided to hire a person with Down syndrome, making sure the interview process was as accessible…
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As Diversity and Inclusion Partner with the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (DPIE), Dwayne’s role involves collaborating with all levels of the business to drive diversity, engaging at the executive level and with other managers. “I am a person with two false legs but have never required adjustments in the workplace. However, within the first week of joining DPIE, a small wound…, “Consultation is crucial. Make sure you consult with all users and listen to your employee networks. In our case, they shaped the guidelines which outline everyone’s responsibilities. Communication is also important. Make sure the process is simplified, in plain English and there is a good communications plan and educational roll out. Most importantly, find a system and process that works for you…, According to Dwayne, while the recent wound injury may have affected his personal life, it did not affect his professional one. “When you acquire a disability, your personal life can be in disarray, so it’s fantastic to have a system to ensure career consistency and progression. My day-to-day job wasn’t affected. “My advice to employers is that if you want to retain quality and engaged staff, you…
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Supported employment is a type of job for people with disability who need extra ongoing support while they are at work. Workplaces that offer these jobs are called supported employment services., Types of supported employment jobs, Supported employment services provide different types of work. This can include jobs in: recycling screen-printing gardening cleaning food services and more. They are usually not-for-profit organisations, giving people a chance to work and take part in the community., Getting a supported employment job, To work in supported employment, you may need to have a National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) plan that includes funding for employment supports. If you’re already an NDIS participant, you can talk about your work goals and options with your NDIA planner or Local Area Coordinator. For more information, visit Supports in employment on the NDIS website or call, 1800 800 110, . You can find out about supported employment services in your area on the BuyAbility website ., Wages in supported employment, Employers may pay supported employees using the Supported Wage System (SWS). When using the SWS, an assessor checks how long it takes you to do your usual tasks at work. For example, if you are a gardening worker, the assessor might check how long it takes you to mow a lawn. If it takes 20% more than the standard time, the employer will pay you 20% less than the usual award rate of pay. The…, Moving to open employment, Open employment means a job that is open to anyone. It is a job in the mainstream job market, where people with and without disability work together. If you work in supported employment and would like to get a job in open employment: you may be able to get help from a Disability Employment Services (DES) provider you don't have to give up your supported employment job to get DES assistance.
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After a cycling accident in early 2019 resulted in paraplegia, Jeremy Lung, a well-respected dentist from Sydney, felt like everything was taken away. But with the support of a trusted mentor as well as JobAccess, he was back in the swing of things before the year was out. Dr Lung clearly enjoys his work at the family dental clinic in Epping , New South Wales, where he practices alongside his…, After the accident, Hearing the news that you have a spinal cord injury is devastating because the world as you know it changes forever. Dr Lung questioned whether it was possible to get back to work at all. “There’s just so much going on at that time, so much that’s life-changing. You have to get used to so much. You’re thinking that it’s over, all the training I’ve received, all the investment there is just lost…, Practical support at a difficult time, While Dr Lung’s mentor helped him to regain his confidence, Royal Rehab provided practical back-to-work support, linking him up with a dentist who had worked out of a wheelchair, and with Anthea, a JobAccess Assessor. Through Anthea, he successfully applied for funding modifications to the dental surgery through JobAccess, including a new entry, handrails on all the walls, a new disabled toilet,…, Recovery and looking ahead to a bright future, Despite experiencing a severe brain injury and paraplegia from the accident, by the end of 2019 Dr Lung was back in surgery, which he credits with speeding up his recovery. “I just remember going back to work and your mind is kind of cloudy post brain injury. But when I sat down for those surgeries and when I engaged in dentistry again, I felt like my brain went into a level of clarity, it went…, Like to learn more?, JobAccess has managed over 58,000 applications for funding workplace adjustments since 2006. Each one makes a difference by helping people with disability get work, keep work and progress their careers. Contact JobAccess on 1800 464 800 to speak to our friendly and resourceful Advisers about workplace adjustments and the Employment Assistance Fund . You can also Online Enquiry Form submit an…
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