Disability Employment Plan Released

The organisation chosen by the Federal Government to be the primary voice for people with disability has released a five point plan to address disability employment.

The Australian Federation of Disability Organisations (AFDO) has released its response to the Department of Social Services Employment Framework, recommending a move to a market driven approach based on the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and practical measures and reform that support Australian businesses to become disability confident.

“Taking into account our looming workforce challenges, it is critical that people with disability and businesses are at the centre of a new employment framework to ensure that people with disability are not left behind,” CEO of AFDO Matthew Wright said.

“Clearly, we have had no tangible change in the last decade and it’s time that we had an open and frank conversation with business about what’s really holding back the employment of people with disability.”

The submission outlines a series of recommendations, including five critical components of a new model that include:

• Set up of a market driven approach based on the NDIS, with a funding package allocated to jobseekers with disability to purchase employment related supports.

• Direct support to businesses of all sizes to become disability confident.

• Leadership by Federal, State and Territory Governments to increase the proportion of people with disability employed in the public sector.

• Development of clear benchmarks, goals and accountabilities to close the employment gap experienced by people with disability.

• Systemically addressing the concerns of business regarding Workplace Health and Safety, industrial relations and disability discrimination.

“Our aim is not to increase the number of jobseekers looking for work (participation) but rather a tangible, measurable increase in the number of people with disability in jobs”, Wright said.

“The employment of people with disability is a complex and multi-faceted issue that requires a sophisticated response. The missing ingredient with labour market programs to date has been addressing the needs of businesses and people with disability.”

Last month it was announced that AFDO had secured a $600,000 funding commitment from the Federal Government to work with 10 national organisations representing people with disability and their families.

AFDO’s submission can be found here.