Ready, willing and able

Physical accessibility continues to be a significant impediment to employment for people with disabilities. However, in most cases this can be readily and inexpensively addressed. Modifications to work sites can often be funded through the federally funded Workplace Modification Scheme. The availability of this and other schemes should in a large part address the disadvantage faced when seeking to enter the workforce. However, the most significant barrier is not physical access, it is attitudinal.

People with disabilities are often excluded at the outset from the workforce by negative employer and recruiter attitudes. Myth, perception and fear hold back understanding and acceptance in the workplace.

Submissions to the recent Shut Out Report (PDF 403KB) detailed difficulties in seeking, obtaining and retaining employment. The Report lists the biggest barrier identified as negative employer attitudes. These ranged from entrenched discrimination to misconceptions about the adjustments required for some people with disabilities. Reported discrimination occurred in those cases where otherwise qualified candidates for jobs were screened out or overlooked simply because of their disability.

There is a perception that people with a disability bring a higher occupational health and safety risk to the workplace and a higher absenteeism rate. However, the evidence shows (PDF 816KB) that this is not the case.

A study by Telstra found that employees with disabilities were more likely to stay with the company longer, had significantly less days absent and, when compared with staff who did not have a disability, there was no significant difference in the areas of performance, productivity and sales.

The level of awareness of incentives, services and supports available to employers to encourage employing people with disabilities is unfortunately very low. The case for a targeted public awareness campaign is strong here. In safeguarding and promoting the realisation of the right to work, the Federal Government has a role to play in increasing access to information and debunking the myths and stereotypes that are feeding this social exclusion.

With the ageing of the Australian population, skills shortages will emerge. This will give a greater imperative for the nation to utilise its entire potential workforce.

As a group, people with disabilities face disproportionate poverty and unemployment. If we are to create a truly socially inclusive society it is vital that barriers to workforce participation be dismantled.