The Disability Discrimination Commissioner has launched a new website to promote meaningful employment opportunities for Australians with disability.
Commissioner, Ben Gauntlett said the website was part of the Australian Human Rights Commission’s (AHRC) broader IncludeAbility initiative, developed to champion employment for people with disability by improving employment pathways, promoting access and inclusion and changing the landscape for people with disability in the workplace.
“In Australia, there are 4.4 million people with disability and 2.65 million people with carer responsibilities,” Dr Gauntlett said.
“Yet the employment participation rate for people with disability is 30 per cent lower than people without disability,” he said.
“The difference in the level of participation has not changed for 20 years.”
The Commissioner said IncludeAbility.gov.au hosted free, practical resources for employers, people with disability, their families and support networks on finding and applying for a job; identifying accessible and inclusive employers; identifying as a person with disability in the workplace; attracting and recruiting people with disability; customising a job for a person with disability; and hosting accessible and inclusive online meetings and events.
“While many organisations have come a long way when it comes to focussing on diversity such as gender, cultural background and sexual orientation, it is vital that disability is also a key part of any diversity discussion,” Dr Gauntlett said.
The AHRC’s IncludeAbility website can be accessed at this PS News link.