The Hon Brendan O’Connor MP, Minister for Employment Participation joined guests in Melbourne to celebrate the milestone achievement of 25 000 enquiries to JobAccess.
In his speech Minister O’Connor said, “People with disability have an enormous amount to contribute and it is very important that we tap into this tremendous resource in a supportive, positive and fair manner.”
Minister O’Connor recognised the efforts of the expert team at JobAccess in “providing individualised and responsive information and advice. The type of help and support offered by JobAccess help those with a disability to not only find jobs but also to retain those jobs” he said..
Brendan O'Connor MP, Minister for Employment Participation
WorkFocus Australia runs the JobAccess service on behalf of the Australian Government.
WorkFocus Australia CEO, Rob Gordon noted “We are here today to not only celebrate the rapid achievement of this milestone, but to encourage other employers and people with disability to access the assistance and practical help that is available through JobAccess to facilitate the employment of people not only with physical and sensory disability but mental illness also.
Brendan O'Connor MHR, Minister for Employment Participation (left) with Rob Gordon, CEO WorkFocus Australia
Many employers are keen to consider people with disability however are unaware of the assistance they can receive; expert advice, practical assistance and financial incentives through the Workplace Modifications Scheme; Auslan for Employment Program and the Supported Wage System.”
The need for more employers to consider people with disability for employment was echoed by the guest speakers, Gerard Menses, CEO of Vision Australia.
“Participation in employment is an area of particular importance for the organisation, given the valued status being employed gives to all of us and its impact on us being able to identify as contributing members of our society” said Gerard.
“For people who are blind or have low vision, access to specialist equipment and technology is key to their ability to access employment opportunities and undertake their work duties on par with their peers.
Such equipment and technology, however, is expensive and without the Workplace Modification funding scheme, would be out of reach for the majority of our clients. On average, 19 Vision Australia clients access the scheme each month through our Employment Services program, and it is the prompt, friendly and efficient service provided by JobAccess staff that enables this to happen so smoothly. In fact, JobAccess approve our clients’ workplace modifications applications within four hours, which is excellent.”
Brendan O'Connor MP with Wendy Brooks, JobAccess service recipient, from the University of Melbourne
A special guest at the milestone celebration was JobAccess service recipient with a personal view regarding assistance for people with disability, Wendy Brooks, Director of Advancement & Communications for the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences at the University of Melbourne. Wendy has a neuromuscular disorder that has meant that she has needed to use a wheelchair for the past seven years.
When recruiting Wendy into the role, staff at the University of Melbourne were proactive in applying for Workplace Modifications Scheme funding through JobAccess.
Wendy reports that she has found the Workplace Modification Scheme to be a terrific service and that she felt engaged in the process of determining the details of the required modifications.
Wendy says “there needs to be a strong message to people out there who have a disability and who are not employed to get out there and participate; the support and assistance is there and so are the vacant job positions. Be informed and help your potential employers to know that with a bit of assistance and support, barriers can be overcome.”
For more information please contact
Nicola Tuckwell
Manager – JobAccess
www.jobaccess.gov.au
Phone: 1800 464 800
e-mail: ntuckwell@workfocus.com