Life to Live

The history of people with disabilities in Australia - 100 years

A resource guide prepared by: Disability Services Australia Ltd

Contents
Overview / Timeline / Medical Advances & Health / Technical Innovation

Education / Participating in Community Life / Employment Opportunities

The Arts / Sport / Finding a Voice / HOME

Employment


The Governments of Australia and many private organisations work together to ensure equal employment opportunities for people with disabilities.

Some people with disabilities may require support or assistance to find an appropriate form of employment.

Assistance is available to:
* help determine job interests and suitable types of employment
* search for relevant jobs
* prepare for job interviews
* assist with understanding of employment conditions
* provide ongoing support

Some people with higher levels of disability may prefer to work in special businesses that offer more intensive support.

Making sure that the workplace is accessible for employees with physical disabilities is a responsibility of all employers.

Historical Background

1950s
In Australia during the 1950s, parents of people with disabilities began setting up sheltered workshops in order to provide employment for their children. Some voluntary organisations also opened workshops. Hostels or group accommodation for people with disabilities were often built in the vicinity of these workshops to reduce the travelling distance.

1960s-1970s
In 1967 a Sheltered Employment Allowance was introduced to supplement income for individuals working in sheltered workshops. Commonwealth funding was further increased as a result of The Handicapped Persons Assistance Act of 1974.

1980s
From 1983 to 1985, the Commonwealth Government undertook a review of funding programs for people with disabilities, which resulted in the Disability Services Act 1986.

The Disability Services Act encouraged the employment of people with disabilities more openly among the community, as opposed to employment in special places, such as sheltered workshops. The aim was to involve people with disabilities more widely in society and ensure that they enjoyed equal opportunities and conditions for employment and training.

As a result of the Disability Services Act, sheltered workshops were progressively closed down across Australia.

2001
Today, there are two main types of employment services for people with disabilities that are approved by the Commonwealth Government - business services and open employment services.

Australian companies may also be eligible for financial assistance from the Government which encourages businesses to employ people with disabilities.

Business Services:

There are businesses across Australia that provide employment for people with a medium to high level of disability who generally require support to remain in paid employment. Their work may include factory activities such as processing, packaging and mailing services; or group services such as cleaning and gardening. People are supported in the work they do through regular job training, career planning and counselling. They work alongside people without disabilities and under equal working conditions. You can find out more about these types of businesses by looking at any of the websites below:

Knoxbrooke Incorporated http://members.eisa.net.au/~knoxatss/
House with No Steps www.hwns.com.au
Activ Foundation Inc. www.activ.org.au
Amaroo Industries www.dsa.org.au
Endeavour Foundation www.endeavour.com.au

Open Employment Services:

These services, which are similar to those offered by employment agencies, assist people with disabilities to take on jobs in the regular workforce (open employment). There are around 350 private organisations throughout Australia which provide these kinds of services to people with a lower level of disability. A support worker will assist an individual to find employment and provide them with training in their new job. After the initial training period, the support worker will generally visit the individual on a regular basis to provide any assistance that is required, such as further training or counselling.

The Commonwealth Rehabilitation Service was established in 1948 after World War II to assist people who had been injured during the war, as well as other people with disabilities, to enter the workforce. CRS, as it is known today, continues to provide these services to Australians between the ages of 15 and 65 who have disabilities. They assess a person's ability to work and can help them to plan for and look for employment. You can find out more about CRS by visiting their website: www.crsrehab.gov.au

Centrelink was created by the Commonwealth Government to link all government services and ensure that people in the community have access to them. It can provide employment assistance for people with disabilities by directing them to relevant employment services - both government and non-government services. You can find out more about Centrelink's services for people with disabilities by visiting their website: www.centrelink.gov.au

Obligations of an Employer:

Under the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Act 1986, and the Disability Discrimination Act 1993, employers are required to make adjustments to the workplace for employees with disabilities, unless it would cause unjustifiable hardship to the business.

This may involve changes to services and facilities (including purchasing special equipment) so that an employee may enjoy the same opportunities as all other employees. Advertisements for job applicants, as well as terms of employment, must not discriminate against or exclude a person with a disability from applying for a job if they have the ability to do the job.

Under the Workplace Modifications Scheme of the Department of Health and Family Services, businesses may be eligible for Government funding to offset the cost of adjustments.

Case Study:
Disability Services Australia

Disability Services Australia is one of the largest organisations employing people with disabilities in Australia today.

From its small beginnings in a rented workshop back in 1958, it now provides employment and support to over 1000 people with mainly intellectual disabilities.

Employment Services
Disability Services Australia provides a number of employment options for people with disabilities.

In its six factories throughout Sydney, as well as various client locations, Disability Services Australia provides employment and vocational training for over 700 people with disabilities. Employees enjoy a variety of work and are assisted to plan individual career paths.

In addition, Disability Services Australia operates an employment service to assist people with disabilities to find employment in the regular workforce. It provides career planning, job training and ongoing support to assist people with disabilities to find and retain employment.

Disability Support Services
The support services offered by Disability Services Australia include accommodation support, daytime activity programs and services aimed at bridging the gap between school and adult life.

Accommodation services range from full time care for small groups of people with more intensive needs, through to drop-in support for those who require assistance from time to time with such things as shopping, cooking, budgeting and transport.

Through its Day Options programs, people with disabilities are assisted to fulfil meaningful daytime occupations as students, employees, volunteers and community members, and to meet new people and establish relationships.

CASE STUDY:
Employers Making a Difference Inc.

Steve and John Bennett are the owners of Benbro Electronics. In 1998 the company won the Prime Minister's Employer of the Year Award for its leadership in employing people with disabilities. Steve and John are enthusiastic about the benefits of employing people with disabilities. Reliability, dedication and enthusiasm are just some of the qualities which people with disabilities bring to the workplace.

Steve and John decided to encourage other Australian businesses to follow their example and, together with Suzanne Colbert, they established Employers Making a Difference Inc. Suzanne has previously established an employment agency for people with intellectual disabilities and provided advice to the Commonwealth Government about employment for people with disabilities.

The organisation has access to over 20,000 jobseekers across Australia with a disability. It assists businesses both large and small to find suitable employees and provides them with information, advice and support.

Employers Making a Difference receives financial assistance from the Department of Family and Community Services. It is currently developing a directory of businesses which make a difference by employing people with disabilities and therefore assisting them to participate fully in the community.


Discussion and Further Reading

Questions to Explore in Class

1. What special types of employment were created for people with disabilities during the 1950s and 1960s?

2. How can employment services assist people with disabilities to find employment in the regular job market?

3. If you were an employer of a person with a disability, what responsibilities would you have to make the workplace accessible?


Creative Ideas

* In small groups, discuss the employment options which are available for people with intellectual disabilities. List the companies you know about who employ people with disabilities.


Further Reading

Visit the Disability Services Australia website to read more about employment options for people with disabilities www.dsa.org.au