Practical strategies that can unlock 110k skilled jobseekers with disability

A new report has offered businesses a blueprint for unlocking a diverse talent pool of extremely skilled workers.

A new report from SSI, Pathways to Possibilities: Harnessing the economic potential of people with disability, has translated both data and the real-life experiences of disabled workers to create a blueprint for Aussie businesses on how they can unlock and maximise talented jobseekers with disability.

According to the report, around 113,000 Australians who identify as having a disability are unemployed and looking for work. The report also touched on intersectionality, saying it leads to increased challenges for different communities.

As the report explains, only 28.3 per cent of First Nations people with disability are employed, and just 38.3 per cent of people with disability born overseas work.

The report seeks to dismantle barriers that often stifle workers with a disability from finding employment. At a time when businesses are fighting over talent, here in lies valuable and skilled candidates who are often being held back by entrenched processes.

SSI chief executive Violet Roumeliotis said there was an untapped pool of 1 million jobseekers with disability – presenting a prime opportunity for businesses and employers to bridge the gap.

“There are simple, practical steps organisations of any size can take to level the playing field and tap into this workforce for the benefit of individuals and businesses,” Roumeliotis said.

“We are calling on businesses to contribute to positive change by committing to making job ads accessible, providing internships and job-sharing opportunities, connecting with disability employment agencies, and more.”

Roumeliotis said that many employers are also held back by misconceptions around employing people with disability, thus allowing their entrenched recruitment processes to often become a barrier for disabled candidates to reside.

“Employers often incorrectly assume that hiring people with disability will require costly adjustments. In fact, 88 per cent of Australians with disability do not require any specific workplace adjustments, and for those who do, 60 per cent cost nothing,” she said.

The report offers employers four key commitments that can foster an inclusive workplace, allowing them to access these talented candidates.

• Put disability inclusion at the heart of your business.
• Become disability confident.
• Empower your leaders to drive change.
• Create a safe, supportive, and accommodating culture.