The public sector needs to employ more people with disabilities, the state’s opposition parties believe.
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Human Services Minister Jacquie Petrusma, Greens leader Cassy O’Connor, and Labor disability spokesman Josh Willie appeared on a panel at a disability policy forum held at Parliament House on Thursday.
Convened by National Disability Services and advocacy service Speak Out, the forum centred on what the state parties would do in government to get the most from the National Disability Insurance Scheme and other disability support initiatives.
Ms O’Connor said the NDIS’ foundations of independence, tailored housing and better transport options enabled better employment prospects for people with disabilities.
“There’s a deep sense of frustration and not feeling empowered to contribute all that they have,” she said.
Ms O’Connor said there was a need for government to adopt TasCOSS’ Workforce Participation Plan which proposed initiatives for dealing with underemployment in the state.
Mr Willie said workplaces benefited from diverse workplaces and suggested that hiring people with disabilities would improve worker morale, productivity, and retention.
He said he believed that the state’s public service should lead the way and employ more people with disabilities.
“That’s what the NDIS is about – getting people involved in the community and in the workforce,” Mr Willie said.
Ms Petrusma said the state government funded several skills and employment pathways programs for people with intellectual and physical disabilities.
“There are a lot of initiatives that we are funding around the place but what is most important is how employers recognise the benefits that people with disabilities can bring to the workplace,” she said.
In Tasmania, about 1600 people fall under the NDIS but that is expected to grow to 10,600 when the scheme is fully rolled out in 2019.