Inclusive employment means everyone gets a fair chance to find and keep a job.
Inclusive employment means that everyone has the opportunity to work in regular workplaces, regardless of disability or background. It ensures everyone feels welcomed, is treated fairly, earns proper wages, and has access to supports to succeed.
An inclusive workplace supports people to contribute their skills, feel valued and grow in their role.
Inclusion Australia Policy Officer, Brooke Canham spoke with her colleague Liam Doyle about why inclusion at work matters.
Liam said that for him, inclusion at work is a place where everyone is included and listened to. It is a place where everyone’s needs are considered and respected. Liam feels included when he can talk openly and other people’s needs are also considered and listen to.
Liam shared that there are different kinds of environments at work that help him feel included, like having friendly people around and having clear instructions in his workplan. He values having access to inclusion support officers who are there to provide support during work, “having a mentor or someone to check in with regularly is really important, it makes me feel included.”
Liam said that technical support, particularly with integrated AI (Artificial Intelligence) and project management programs help him to stay on top of his work.
Liam reflected on some difficult experiences with his first job in retail, where he found the communication hard and sometimes insulting. “Direct communication and respect must be given to individuals living with a disability.”
An inclusive workplace should make you feel welcomed. You should feel understood, your concerns should be accepted, acknowledged and respected.
We made two Easy Read resources about Inclusive Employment:
Find out more about employment pathways for people with an intellectual disability on our Everyone can Work website.