Getting More Jobs for Disabled People is Essential to Our Economy 2nd HDC National Disability Conference Grant Cleland, CEO, Workbridge 11 th June 2012

Our Challenge Despite all our efforts … Disabled people are still less likely to be employed than any other minority group. So we therefore need to consider: How can we get more jobs for disabled people?

What do we know? According to Statistics NZ (2006): 1.More qualified disabled people are the more likely they will get a job. 2.Young disabled people are almost twice as likely as non-disabled people to leave school without a qualification. 3.Disabled people with a tertiary qualification are employed at the same rate as non-disabled people with no qualification. This is despite the fact that … 1.75% of disabled people do not require any extra equipment or other modifications or support to work. 2.Of those who do require support, the need for modified hours is the most commonly reported requirement. 3.Relatively small numbers need equipment, building modifications, a job coach, personal assistant or communication services. 4.Workbridge can assist with workplace support and funding.

1.61% of disabled people had problems getting a job. 2.Nearly half found it hard to stay in a job because of negative attitudes, lack of opportunities and flexibility. 3.Employers need to focus on disabled people’s abilities: Often highly skilled and have a wide range of talents and qualities. 4.Disabled people have problem solving skills, lower or equivalent absenteeism and cost a similar amount to employ. 5.A positive attitude by employers is critical to tapping into the skills of disabled people. NZ EEO Trust Survey (2005) found that:

Workbridge Profile Workbridge is an Employment Agency:  88 Employment Consultants  In 24 locations throughout NZ  Workbridge arranges around 3, jobs each year.

How is the sector funded?  Workbridge is an NGO primarily funded by the Ministry of Social Development (MSD).  Under the main contract, MSD primarily funds Workbridge to work with jobseekers with low to medium support needs.  MSD funds Supported Employment Agencies to work with disabled people with high or more intensive support needs.  In some locations there are no Supported Employment Agencies available and Workbridge provides this intensive support, but is not funded for this additional support.  Workbridge also administers Support Funds on behalf of the Ministry of Social Development.  Each Support Fund application is subject to the criteria and policy guidelines set by MSD.

1.A new Service Delivery Model - jobseeker/employer focused teams. 2.An Employer Database that profiles jobseekers against jobs we know about nationally. 3.Increased support for teams. 4.Increasing the vocational skills of staff through training, a Code of Practice and working smarter with jobseekers and employers. 5.Making staff more mobile through technology so they can engage more in the community with employers and jobseekers. 6.Moving Support Funds administration to our Central Processing Unit (CPU), to free up our staff to get more jobs. 7.Part of the Disability Employment Forum (DEF) – advocated for the Employment Summit and also the Government Action Plan for Employment of Disabled People. So how is Workbridge trying to get more jobs?

1.Develop the academic potential and functional skills of young disabled people at school. 2.More work experience, after school and holiday work for disabled people. 3.Disabled people need more career development opportunities. 4.More jobs for disabled people in the state sector and with larger employers. 5.A Coordinated Workplace Education Programme to assist employers and other staff to recognise and value the skills of disabled people. 6.A Government Employment Strategy for Disabled People, to increase the numbers employed particularly in the state, and private sector. 7.Profiling employers who value the contribution disabled people can make to their workplace and the economy – media, marketing, workplace education. 8.Create more tools to help disabled people build their capacity to gain, maintain and develop in their jobs. What else needs to happen?

Conclusion Getting more jobs for disabled people is essential to our economy. As Napoleon Bonaparte once said … ‘Ability is nothing without opportunity’

Small Group Questions What additional supports and resources are required to get more jobs for disabled people? Is there anything else you want to say? How can we work better together to get more jobs for disabled people? How do you think we can get more jobs for disabled people?