Benefits of employing people with disabilities

There are many benefits to employing people with disabilities. These include increased production, quality work environments and beneficial customer relationships. People with disabilities are often the most loyal and long term employees in an organisation.

According to STEPS National Disability Coordination 0fficers, evidence has shown many benefits of a diverse workplace and employing someone with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD):

• They take fewer days off, take less sick leave and stay in jobs for longer than other workers
• have fewer compensation incidents and accidents at work compared to other workers
• build strong relationships with customers
• boost workplace morale and enhance teamwork
• Increased productivity, bringing different talents, backgrounds and perspectives
• Broadens your scope to attract and retain talented staff
• Able to link with external organisations for support and guidance

Available Support

The Australian Government provides services and programs for employers to assist with disability employment.

JobAccess

Go to www.jobaccess.gov.au. Atthe top right hand side of the web page, there is a tab for employer information.  Availability and Support are listed under a tab on the Employer Information page, at the top left side of the page.

Available support on the JobAccess web site includes financial support, tools and resources, developing strategies and plans, connecting with disability employment sector, creating a flexible work environment, recruiting and retaining the right people, recruitment, as well as information about the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

For confidential expert advice on matters relating to the employment of people with disability, contact the JobAccess Advisers free of charge. Call: 180464800

Employer Engagement service

The Employer Engagement service are funded by the Australian Government to help employers access the skills and talents of people with disability. At no cost to you, they can broadcast your vacancies to a network of Disability Employment Services (DES) providers. These DES providers can assess thousands of people with disability and put forward candidates with the qualifications, skills and experiences to best match the jobs you’re offering. The Employer Engagement service can also help with jobs design for people with disability and write clear position descriptions.

Jobs in Agriculture Suited to People with Disabilities

The types of jobs on farms are very diverse, so too are types of disabilities. Some jobs are particularly well suited to particular types of disability. JobAccess Advisers can assist with matching people with disabilities to jobs.

www.nds.org.au/disability-types-and-descriptions provides a good description of description of disabilities and functionality.

The Australian Network on Disability provides a wide range of factsheets and information about disability, access and inclusion.  https://www.and.org.au/pages/fact-sheets.html