Workplace adjustments, employer confidence vital to bridge disability employment gap: JobAccess National research

• National survey found gaps in understanding of workplace adjustments.
• 60 per cent of Australians are not aware of workplace adjustments.
• 40 per cent believe the cost of workplace adjustments are large.
• Accessibility is key to including 4.4 million Australians with disability in the workforce.

Making workplace adjustments is simple, cost-effective and benefits everyone. 

But many people are not aware of workplace adjustments. JobAccess’ revealed the results of their survey, “Understanding workplace attitudes toward people with disability.”

The results revealed that:

• Sixty per cent of Australians are not aware of workplace adjustments.
• Only 2 in 5 people believe workplace adjustments are easy.
• most people are unsure about the costs and benefits of putting them in place.

The national survey aimed to measure the awareness of disability and workplace adjustments.

Workplace adjustments benefit everyone. It is one of the best ways to give people with disability access to employment opportunities. It also supports them to be comfortable and productive at work.

The research revealed that employers overestimated the cost of workplace adjustments. Forty per cent of people surveyed thought the cost of changes would be high. They guessed that adjustments started at $6,800.

JobAccess internal research shows that most adjustments cost less than $1,000. Some changes, such as flexible working hours or arrangements, cost nothing. They benefit all employees, not just people with disability.

Workplace adjustments can be funded through the Australian Government’s Employment Assistance Fund (EAF). Supports such as:

• assistive technology
• disability awareness training
• specialised one-on-on support.

Since 2006, JobAccess has managed over 65,000 funding applications.

JobAccess can help with workplace adjustment, and provide support and training to employers and people with disability. 

The survey found most people believe employers are responsible for workplace adjustments. Yet, 72 per cent of respondents don’t know how to set up workplace adjustments for an employee with disability. 

JobAccess can support workplaces by providing guidance on workplace adjustments. They give employers and employees more confidence to create safe and inclusive workplaces for employees with disability.

View the results from the JobAccess’ national survey at: 

 ‘Understanding workplace attitudes toward people with disability’.