Ways to improve employment

A group of people who all work different jobs. Next to them is a dollar symbol.

Employment means you:

  • have a job
  • go to work
  • get paid.

A person with disability at a job interview.

Ms Rebecca Falkingham shared what work the NDIA will do to hire more people with disability.

2 people in a workshop looking at a digital tablet.

Reference Group members talked about what helps people with intellectual disability to:

  • get jobs
  • keep jobs.

Members explained that people with intellectual disability should get:

A person with intellectual disability pointing to themself. Next to them is a dollar symbol with a tick.

  • paid the same

A person making a decision between a wrench and a screwdriver, a mug, or a laptop.

  • support to make their own decisions about their career.

An arrow pointing from a person wearing a work uniform for a company to the same person wearing chef clothes and holding a whisk.

Your career is the path you take in your work throughout your life.

A group of people wearing a uniform. They all have different abilities.

They should also get support to find work at a business where anyone can have a job.

For example, places that don’t just hire people with disability.

A stack of calendars and a person wearing a hard hat and work vest holding a powered drill.

Members also explained that people with intellectual disability want long-term work where they can grow their career.

A person with intellectual disability thinking about themself wearing a hard hat and a work vest. Next to them is a dollar symbol.

People with intellectual disability also want to know how their career might affect other payment supports they get from the government.

A person with intellectual disability shaking hands with a worker in an office.

Members shared that job interviews should be run by people with intellectual disability.

And they should ask questions that are easy to understand.

4 people from different types of jobs. Next to them is an arrow pointing up.

Members also shared there should be more jobs for people with intellectual disability.

This includes work that:

2 people working in a café.
  • everyone can take part in

and

2 people with intellectual disability pointing to themselves. Above them is a skills icon with a wrench and screwdriver, a whisk and rolling pin, and a glowing lightbulb.

  • focuses on the skills of people with intellectual disability.

An employer shaking hands with a person with intellectual disability. Above them is a dollar symbol.

Members explained that employers who hire people with intellectual disability need the right supports.

An employer is a person who hires other people to work for them.

2 people looking at a computer. They both have a thought bubble with a tick in it. Next to them is a person with intellectual disability with a speech bubble that has a person pointing to themself with their other hand raised.

For example, they should have support to understand what each person with intellectual disability needs.

And what skills they have.

An employer holding a 'Plan' document.

Members also explained that employers should make a plan each day for what they want their staff to work on.

A warehouse building. Next to the building is a make better icon.

Employers should also look at ways to make their place of work better in the long-term.

They should do this by listening to what their staff have to say.

3 people who work in a café. They each have different abilities.

Members shared that there are people with disability who work to support other people at their jobs.

They are called mentors.

A mentor supporting a person with disability to work. Next to them is a safety icon.

These mentors:

  • support people with intellectual disability at work
  • make people with intellectual disability feel safe at work.

A mentor supporting a person with disability to look for a job.

They also support people to find better jobs with better pay.