AccessAbility Day a resounding success

Last Friday marked the end of the AccessAbility Day pilot, which ran from 4–8 December. More than 240 employers registered in the eight regional and metropolitan pilot locations across Australia, collectively hosting more than 440 people with disability in their workplace for a day.

The Hon Jane Prentice, Assistant Minister for Social Services and Disability Services, said this year’s AccessAbility Day demonstrated the great enthusiasm businesses and organisations have to source from this strong talent pool.

“AccessAbility Day demonstrated there are many capable people with disability who are eager to enter employment,” Minister Prentice said.

“Now is the time to harness this momentum and help people with disability obtain long term employment.

“People with disability can offer a lot to businesses. Studies show organisations who employ people with disability have higher staff moral and improved productivity.”

AccessAbility Day was about connecting employers and people with disability for a day. It allowed employers to see the potential of a person with disability in the workplace and learn about available support while also providing an opportunity for people with disability to gain an insight into a new workplace or types of employment and establish new contacts.

Michael Gower from Belgravia Leisure in Elizabeth, South Australia hosted multiple placements at Genesis Fitness and Little Para Golf Course and said, “I believe working together is important to create positive social impact.”

“Participating in AccessAbility Day has been a great opportunity to provide a workplace experience in the recreation and sports industry.

“At Little Para Golf Course, participants teamed with staff, who also have a disability, to learn about retail and customer service aspects in the pro shop, work health and safety, and operational tasks like ball collection and running the course and driving range.

“I highly encourage interested employers to speak with their local Disability Employment Services Provider to learn more about bringing a person with disability onto their team.”

Minister Prentice said, “I hope to roll out AccessAbility Day nationally in 2018 to give more employers and people with disability the opportunity to get involved.”