Awash of jobs for people with disability

The Hon Jane Prentice, Assistant Minister for Social Services and Disability Services, today officially opened Multicap’s Capalaba Laundretto, an innovative laundry service creating jobs for people with disability.

The new Laundretto is Multicap’s second laundry service and one of many social enterprises they provide, offering supported employment for people with disability.

Mrs Prentice said it was inspiring to meet so many enthusiastic people who are providing creative new work solutions.

“More than one in five Australians have disability, yet Australians with disability are under-represented in the workforce,” Mrs Prentice said.

“Fourteen per cent of people who are of working age have disability but only around half of them are either participating in or seeking work – compared with 83 per cent of people without disability.

“I want to see more people with disability given the opportunity to achieve real and lasting employment outcomes while providing an excellent service to the Capalaba community.”

Multicap is a leading Queensland Australian Disability Employment (ADE) service provider that has been operating for 55 years, offering supported employment to people with disability and currently support 85 employees nationally.

“The new Laundretto will provide job opportunities for people with disability in the Capalaba area, enabling them to enjoy the benefits of work,” Mrs Prentice said.

“ADEs provide people with disability with so much more than just a job – they play an important role in supporting people with disability to connect socially with others, enjoy community participation and provide a sense of independence.”