Page 244 - Week 01 - Wednesday, 10 December 2008
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The ACT government should be doing what it can to support improvement in disability employment services. Such support can include a number of things. The ACT can be working towards improving public transport options. It can work with the community sector to improve accessibility to information and to disability services in the ACT. We can take steps to assist carers. Indeed, helping people with a disability into the workforce helps to ease the strain on carers. So providing assistance and information to carers about disability employment services is a useful way for the ACT government to contribute to the successful functioning of the federal model. The ACT can also support initiatives such as social firms or enterprises that provide employment opportunities for people with a mental illness. I note that this is something which is underway in the ACT.
I would also like to note the following points on the Advocacy for Inclusion website:
Why is work important?
Employment is a valued social role, our society values work and workers, so people who have a disability who are able to participate in employment, and do, are seen as valuable members of society.
Employment presents the opportunity to learn new skills, many of which can be carried into other aspects of life.
Are there negative aspects of work?
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• Some places of employment do not see the full potential of people who have a disability to participate in the work community.
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What can we do to change this?
Increased opportunities to fulfil respected roles in the community are important to valuing people who have a disability. Community opinions need to be changed regarding people who have a disability so that they are valued participants in all aspects of community life.
Even though many people who have a disability may need support to enter and participate in the workforce, such participation should centre on high expectations, learning new skills and contribution to the workplace. This will promote more valued social roles for each individual and for all people who have a disability.
In researching this motion, my staff were advised that Advocacy for Inclusion have made a submission to the original discussion paper, and I am sure that they and other community groups in the ACT will keep an active watch on the progress of the changes to disability employment services and do what they can to improve them. The ACT government should continue to work with these groups and individuals to assist participation in the workforce and social inclusion generally. I support this motion.
MR DOSZPOT (Brindabella) (5.01): Ms Porter has congratulated the federal government on the announcement of this new disability employment services model, and I concur fully. We are always happy to see additional support being given to the disability sector in the ACT.
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