City of Adelaide and JobAccess partnership increases inclusion and accessibility for people with disability

Image description: Five people are standing in front of a pond and smiling at the camera. Image supplied by City of Adelaide.

City of Adelaide partnered with JobAccess and the National Disability Recruitment Coordinator (NDRC) to improve their recruitment and employment practices, making the workplace more inclusive and accessible for people with disability and supporting employees like Steph to thrive at work.

City of Adelaide identified the need to improve accessibility and inclusion of people with disability

City of Adelaide is the Adelaide council, i.e., the local Government authority for Adelaide, employing around 1,000 people. Back in 2019, JobAccess approached City of Adelaide to review City of Adelaide’s recruitment and employment practices, and to make recommendations to increase the accessibility and inclusion of people with disability at City of Adelaide.

JobAccess’ employer engagement team – the National Disability Recruitment Coordinator (NDRC) – partnered with City of Adelaide to support them with this goal. The NDRC is funded by the Australian Government to work alongside larger employers to build their disability confidence, so they can attract, employ and retain the skills and talents of people with disability.

The City of Adelaide, led by Talent Acquisition Advisor Davin Jaehne, were seeking support to create and embed inclusive and accessible recruitment, onboarding and training processes. They also sought assistance in increasing disability awareness in the workplace, and advice on how best to provide flexible work arrangements and reasonable adjustments.

At the time, the biggest challenge the City of Adelaide faced was how to create accessible recruitment practices, and increase the knowledge and awareness of their employees, to improve disability inclusion and accessibility throughout the workplace.

The NDRC supports City of Adelaide to build disability confidence, creating meaningful and sustainable change

Through its free 12-mont partnership, the NDRC helped build disability confidence within City of Adelaide’s People Team, which had a roll-on effect on disability confidence throughout the organisation.

First up, the NDRC looked at City of Adelaide’s recruitment processes and tools, including how to incorporate reasonable adjustments into all stages of the recruitment process.

The NDRC also supported City of Adelaide with a number of bespoke, tailored tools specific to City of Adelaide, including a Leaders Toolkit for ensuring inclusion and accessibility from the leadership level down, a tip sheet for creating accessible documents, and an inclusive language guide for managers and recruiters.

With the support of the NDRC, City of Adelaide also introduced an online Disability Access & Inclusion Training program delivered to all employees.

“The Disability Access and Inclusion Training has given some of our employees that are living with disability the confidence to share their stories, and in turn, further educate our organisation,” said Davin.

City of Adelaide also leveraged JobAccess’ free vacancy distribution service, whereby JobAccess share vacancies with Disability Employment Services (DES) providers, reaching more candidates with disability.

Through this process, City of Adelaide built a disability employment network, who now promote all vacancies to on a weekly basis. The job vacancy service and DES contacts have enabled City of Adelaide to see a tangible increase in the number of applications received from people that identify as living with disability, and the employment of two casual employees so far.

“The NDRC changed our approach to fostering a more inclusive and accessible workplace by supporting our focus on accessible employment, and by providing us with tools and resources to take action, and make meaningful and sustainable changes,” shared Davin.

The 12-month partnership was a success, and City of Adelaide’s mission and progress has not stopped since the partnership concluded. “We were able to meet the objectives of the partnership at the time, and have since been able to build on this further,” shared Davin.

Team member Steph shares her experience working with City of Adelaide

Image description: City of Adelaide team member Steph stands holding a trophy. She wears a bright pink suit and smiles to the camera.

Steph Paprzycki-Baker is the Team Leader of Community Safety at the City of Adelaide. Through her work, Steph makes sure that Adelaide city remains a safe and welcoming place for everyone. Steph leads a team of 40 employees, whose focus is to ensure that the city environment is safe and accessible, following the rules and regulations set by the Council.

Steph joined City of Adelaide post the work of the NDRC and City of Adelaide partnership. As such, Steph experienced the accessible and inclusive recruitment process, induction training and general workplace culture from day one.

Steph lives with ADHD, ASD and Dyslexia and was finding some components of her role challenging, including having trouble concentrating and focusing, sensory input and sitting still. JobAccess was also able to support Steph, and City of Adelaide, through tailored advice on workplace adjustments that were funded by the Employment Assistance Fund (EAF).

JobAccess organised an external assessor to conduct an independent assessment of Steph’s work set up and individual circumstances. The assessor created a tailored plan for Steph, including the recommendation of a ‘wobble chair’ and a sit-stand desk, which Steph states has had a significant impact on her work experience.

“It allows me to stay comfortable and engaged throughout the day, helping me to focus better and be more productive,” shared Steph.

With the support of JobAccess, City of Adelaide also looked at flexibilities and adjustments in the workplace, including cost-free initiatives like quiet spaces and flexible breaks, helping the workforce, and team members like Steph, to thrive at work.

“Having access to quiet spaces is another great support. It allows me to take short breaks when needed, helping me recharge and stay focused on my task,” said Steph.

City of Adelaide also embraced a flexible working policy for their team, again a cost free initiative helping to build accessibility and inclusion in the workplace. “The flexible working agreements have been a real asset. They provide me with the flexibility I need to manage my work-life balance effectively, reducing stress and enhancing my overall well-being,” shared Steph.

Positive outcomes for City of Adelaide and Steph, now and into the future

Alongside the wider City of Adelaide workforce, Steph is experiencing the benefits of City of Adelaide’s commitment to providing an inclusive and accessible workplace.

Steph finds her work brings her a sense of accomplishment and allows her to be part of something important. Steph loves being a leader and seeing her team growing and thriving in their roles. Steph acknowledges that the City of Adelaide’s disability strategy and the support from JobAccess has supported her to perform well in her important work.

“The supports funded through JobAccess have been incredibly helpful in my workplace. They have made a significant difference in my ability to perform well and comfortably,” she shared.

Steph is thriving at work, and recently won the LG Professionals SA 2023 Emerging Leader of the Year award (as pictured).

From an employer perspective, the progress made and focus on being an inclusive and accessible workplace are proving to be very impactful, both for employees with disability, and the City of Adelaide workforce overall.

In summary, Davin describes the support from JobAccess as supporting better outcomes all round. “Our increased organisational confidence and improved ways of work have led to better outcomes for employees living with disability, as well as our organisation benefiting from their unique skills and talents,” shared Davin.

Your business can benefit from JobAccess’ Government funded support too

JobAccess’ employer engagement team – the National Disability Recruitment Coordinator –  works alongside employers to develop inclusive workplace policies and practices that support people with disability. As well as providing a comprehensive job vacancy service, the NDRC conducts workplace training and employer seminars on disability awareness.

JobAccess also provides free, expert and confidential advice on workplace adjustments to employers and people with disability. The JobAccess team includes range of field experts, including allied health professionals, who offer advice tailored to the person’s situation from the first point of contact.

The adjustments can be funded through the Employment Assistance Fund (EAF). The EAF provides financial help to eligible people with disability and mental health conditions, and employers, to buy work-related modifications, equipment, Auslan services and workplace assistance and support services.

Reach out to JobAccess today via our website www.jobaccess.gov.au or call us on 1800 464 800 and reap the rewards of a more inclusive and accessible workplace for people with disability, just like City of Adelaide.

Related pages

Employment Assistance Fund (EAF)
JobAccess Employer Engagement - National Disability Recruitment Coordinator (NDRC)
Employer Toolkit

Last updated: 10 November 2023 - 12:21pm