Getting the disabled into work

Recently the Australian Federal Government has announced reform to the welfare system.  It is not the first time that this has happened but once again a repeated scenario. What if anything will it achieve?  In this blog post I attempt to identify wherever possible the scenarios and suggest possible strategies to deal with them.

It is a wrongful and false judgement to say that people with disabilities do not want to work and stay on pensions.  The truth of the matter is that workplaces are not always understanding nor accommodating of people with disabilities.  I hear time and time again from people through my own advocacy work of being sacked or bullied in workplaces causing them to either be sacked, or worn down to the point of resignation.  There are many issues that need to be addressed with the bias not always in the favour of employers and disadvantaging employees.

Should attitudes of workplaces shift to become more inclusive of people with disabilities?

From my own experiences in the past of finding employment, just sheer motivation alone cannot always guarantee employment.  There needs to be inclusion from workplaces.  Below I have identified some key areas where I think change of attitudes are required. 

• The wage system and working conditions. 

Is Australia's wage system archaic and out of date?  Should there be a more flexible minimum wage and more opportunity for individual agreements?    There still seems to be a system which primarily focus on the 9 to 5 work model.  Despite criticism which I no doubt may receive, why cannot such working conditions be changed?  Not only is urban traffic a real nightmare but surely staggered or individual working agreements would prevent the clogging and congestion of roads and make people  happier?   Furthermore, a negotiable minimum wage which I believe has just been introduced into New Zealand, would allow a foot in the door for new young entry level workers and provide them the means to enter the workforce.   A shift or more so a focus on a person's means of productivity would also be something worth considering as well?    

Rather than the government slashing pensions, why not tax less employers and business as well as reducing red tape to allow for a means of growing business so that they can increase productivity and take on more employees.  If the government want the citizens to pay tax then why not allow the citizens to work, make a contribution and furthermore pay taxes which would also assist and invest in greater disability infrastructure.  Furthermore a total review of the perks and entitlements that politicians also receive may be something which needs better scrutiny as well?

• What role can  unions play as well as management?

In order to make a working environment more compliant for people with disabilities should unions work more closely with management to ensure employees with disabilities are given a 'fair go' which is often used as a term in Australia within employment?  This would mean quite simply that working conditions and tasks within employment could be made manageable for the employee to undertake.  Furthermore more work trials and in house learning could provide opportunity for people with disabilities, particularly those with Autism to have a hands on go within the labour market.  I think getting the ball rolling with discussion would be one way to move forward. 

In order to have a healthy and happy workplace you first of all need good and strong management as well as clear communication within a workplace.  A clear adherence to guidelines, safe workplace practices etc are also essential.  

• How can Autism be sold or seen as a positive in a workplace?

Adults on the Autism Spectrum are many and varied which is why it is called a 'spectrum' in the first place.  There is often strong attention to detail and a focus on undertaking tasks more so than chit chat which can demonstrate an attention to detail mindset which is like a German work ethic.  

The problem I think though is the non Aspie setup of the majority of workplaces which rely more on a social engineering pattern.  This quite simply meaning that within the work environment there is a lot of emphasis on a person's social skills more so than abilities which falls within the confines of the interview and selection process to employ candidates.  A candidate can perform exceptionally within a social skills context at the interview but in terms of productivity they may be lacking.  

• The role of employment agencies in assisting candidates in finding employment. 

It can be hard and tiring work to utilize disability employment agencies.  This is unfortunately due to the nature of how disability is perceived within Australia.  Quite simply if you don't cut the mustard you just don't get a look in.  Furthermore Autism is unlike any other disability because the challenges lay mainly with cognitive ability more so than physical impairment.  A person with a mobility impairment may have some struggles within a workspace but these can be modified although I do think this has a long way to go for how many people in wheelchairs and with other physical challenges do you see within a work environment?  The challenges with Autism are that a person can become physically drained, struggle more to combat sensory issues and work extra hard in navigating infrastructure that may represent distinct challenges.  I know that certain noises and sensory issues as well as diet can impact significantly on my own functioning abilities.  I have been in contact with Steven J Orfield of Orfield Labs to look at ways of making a workplace more accommodating.  Sadly there has been no interest at all from Australia.  

In conclusion, what needs to be done to get people with disabilities into employment is not a slashing of welfare but more so an investment in positive attitudes to encourage greater participation of people with disabilities into employment. Attitudes of employers needs to change and furthermore infrastructure and investment in infrastructure needs a greater emphasis.  I have also been disappointed with Autism organisations who simply turn a blind eye to the needs of adults with Autism instead investing time into their own agenda and sucking up for grants to employ people who demonstrate little overall result in making the lives of adults with Autism and children better.  

The government needs to tax less, reduce red tape and allow business to get on with the job of employing people by allowing more expansion and encouraging more incentive and innovation to employ.  This doesn't seem to be happening in Australia as more people are stressed and compared to New Zealand where I think the government is trying to make things better (bound to receive criticism no doubt) Australia exists in a time warp.  

Finally an inclusion of adults on the Autism Spectrum is needed in policy making, decision making and such decisions should not rest with people who pretend to know the needs of adults.  Adults with Autism need to be involved in this does not mean the possession of a PhD or other qualification.  It just means lived and shared experience.  

Should you have any advice, suggestions or feedback please don't hesitate to share these.