Lorraine from Meals on Wheels in Maryborough Queensland has been experiencing the benefits of focusing on ability over disability with her new employee, Maryjane.
Highlighting the benefits to her business of employing Maryjane, who has a vision impairment, Lorraine says that, ‘Maryjane is a brilliant worker, always reliable and flexible, who shows great initiative’.
Lorraine believes in the ‘good old-fashioned characteristics’ that employers look for in an employee such as ethics, loyalty, honesty and integrity and says that ‘Maryjane reflects all of these’.
‘We wanted to focus on what Maryjane could do and we’re very happy we did’, Lorraine said.
Maryjane came to Meals on Wheels, a community-based organisation, through her Job Services Australia provider, Community Employment Options.
Maryjane’s goal was to work in a fulfilling paid job where she could also further her career. Community Employment Options helped Maryjane to maintain a positive attitude and to believe in her abilities, by tailoring support to her individual needs.
They matched her skills to the job vacancy at Meals on Wheels and through the Employment Assistance Fund, were able to set Maryjane’s workstation up with a monitor, view finder and Zoom Text software.
The Employment Assistance Fund is an Australian Government scheme that pays for the costs involved in modifying the workplace or purchasing special or adaptive equipment for eligible employees with disability.
‘I feel confident that I can do the job now that I have the right support tools’, said Maryjane.
Maryjane’s is an Administration Officer at Meals on Wheels. Her duties include handling money, preparing client delivery lists, answering phone enquiries and preparing reports.