CoAct, a leading provider of employment services for job seekers with disability, along with their local Service Partner Interact Australia ran the free event at Palace Westgarth Cinema on June 13th 2019 as part of a new nationwide storytelling project, Change the Story.
Through eight short films, the project follows people across Australia who are changing the story around disability employment. It's a look into what navigating the world of work means through the eyes of people with disability, employers and frontline workers.
CoAct CEO, Matt Little, says the eight films are aimed at breaking down the stereotypes of what ability means and show the flood of positive flow-on effects that come with disability employment. "When we change the story as a society to focus on ability, choose inclusion and celebrate diversity, we open a world of opportunity, not just in people's lives but in the whole community", he said.
Sammy's story about disability employment set to inspire others
This is the story of Melbourne local Sammy, a school leaver with disability joining the world of work. It shows how high people can soar with the ongoing guidance of a supportive employer. It's a story that provides hope to struggling job seekers, and an inspiration to other small businesses who may be considering hiring people with disability.
Changing the story around disability employment
2.2 million Australians are of working-age living with disability yet are significantly under-represented in the workforce. Add to that, the employment rate for people with disability is increasing, and is almost half compared to those without disability.
For people with profound or severe disability aged 15-64, the unemployment rate increased from 10.3 percent in 2012 to 13.7 percent in 2015, and labour force participation dropped from 31.3 percent to 25 percent.[1]
CoAct and its Service Partners are working to reverse this trend by engaging local communities in the Change the Story project. The goal is to help shift thinking of individuals, employers and communities, so that embracing differing levels of ability in the workplace becomes the norm, not the exception.
The short films are also available to watch online at: coact.org.au/changethestory
