- Pilot to lift employment of people with disability in not-for-profit sector
- Ministerial Advisory Council on Disability to lead employment program
Disability Services Minister Stephen Dawson has today launched a pilot program that aims to increase the number of people with disability employed by service providers within the not-for-profit sector.
The program will see a range of providers committing to an increase in meaningful and sustainable employment for people with disability in the sector.
Organisations taking part in the pilot include National Disability Services WA, Rise, Identitywa, WA Blue Sky, Avivo, Enable WA, Autism Association, Chorus, GIFSA and Ruah.
These groups will be publicly accountable for increasing employment within their own organisations.
The pilot was developed by members of the Ministerial Advisory Council on Disability (MACD) and will complement the State Disability Plan, which is currently in the consultation phase.
The project plan will be finalised in February, with each organisation committing their own funds and time.
As noted by Disability Services Minister Stephen Dawson:
"Employment provides a sense of purpose and a sense of independence, as well as contributing to our self-esteem. It provides opportunities to socialise and develop lifelong friendships with people we wouldn't have otherwise met.
"People with disability want these opportunities but often face obstacles to achieving them. That is why the role of employers is so important.
"We must increase employment opportunities and we must achieve better employment outcomes for people with disability.
"I commend MACD for developing this pilot program, and for generating the support of several organisations to be involved from the start."
As noted by Ministerial Advisory Council on Disability chairperson Andrew Thompson:
"This pilot shows a strong commitment by not-for-profit organisations to the employment of people with disability.
"In Western Australia, 56 per cent of people with disability are participating in the workforce, in contrast to 85 per cent of the population without disability.
"The State Disability Plan will set the direction for the next decade and we know employment is a key element both now and in the future.
"Should this pilot be successful, MACD will be strongly encouraging an expanded program."
