International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD) is held on 3 December each year.
The United Nations observes IDPwD to increase public awareness, understanding and acceptance of people with a disability and celebrate their achievements and contributions.
In Australia, the federal government has been supporting IDPwD since 1996 and invites all Australians to make positive changes to the lives of the 4.4 million Australians living with disability.
Angus Knight Group and IDPWD 2022
As part of supporting this important day, Angus Knight Group organisations, Jobfind, Joblife and Real Futures, are launching a ‘100 jobs in 30 days’ campaign to support more of our disability employment service participants into sustainable employment.
This means we are also supporting more employers with the resources and tools they need to build inclusivity and diversity into the DNA of their workforces.
Disability and employment in Australia
Employment plays a central role in improving the economic, social and personal wellbeing of Australians with disability (Australian Human Rights Commission).
In Australia:
- Almost 1 in 5 people have a disability.
- Over a third of people with disability of working age (15-64 years) rely on a government pension or allowance as their main source of income.
- 53% of working-age people with disability are in the labour force compared to 84% of those without disability.
- The unemployment rate of PwD is double that of people without a disability (10% vs 4.6%).
- Nearly half (45.2%) of all employed people with disability reported that they had experienced unfair treatment or discrimination from their employer due to their disability in the past 12 months.
- More than 113,000 people with a disability are unemployed and looking for work.
Benefits of employing people with a disability
The fact is, employing people with disability makes good business sense:
- People with disability generally take fewer days off, take less sick leave and stay in jobs longer than other workers.
- Employment costs for people with disability can be as low as 13 per cent of the employment costs for other employees*.
- Workers’ compensation costs for people with disability are as low as four per cent of the workers’ compensation costs for other employees*.
- Once in the right job, people with disability perform as well as other employees.
- People with disability build strong connections with customers.
- People with disability boost staff morale and enhance a sense of teamwork.
- People with a disability represent your customers and communities.
* Graffam, J, Shinkfield, A, Smith, K, and Polzin, U 2002, ‘Employer benefits and costs of employing a person with a disability’, Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 17, pp. 251-263.
Michelle’s story
Michelle is a stellar member of Jobfind’s disability employment service in Fairfield.
Her friendly smile greets participants as they arrive for their appointments and she is quick to organise their ongoing support.
Once a participant with Jobfind herself, Michelle understands the challenges of finding work when you have a disability. After experiencing a stroke in 1993, Michelle spent 12 months in recovery before exploring her return to work.
Michelle’s 28 years of experience in property management and customer service are now put to great use as an administrator in Jobfind’s Fairfield office…and we wouldn’t know what to do without her!
Listen to Michelle’s story below:
Sources
Australian Human Rights Commission: www.includeability.gov.au
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare: www.aihw.gov.au/reports/disability/people-with-disability-in-australia/contents/employment/labour-force-participation
IDPWD: www.idpwd.com.au/
JobAccess: www.jobaccess.gov.au/employers/benefits-employing-people-with-disability
United Nations: www.un.org/development/desa/dspd/2022/10/international-day-of-persons-with-disabilities-2022/
