Got a disability? You are three Times less likely to have a job
life, such as having the confidence to start a relationship.”
Mosen, who is blind and hearing impaired, said he had worked in a range of industries including broadcasting, IT and government relations.
CCS Disability Action Bay of Plenty service manager Paula Young said the organisation worked with 350 people with disabilities and their families.
That also includes specifically supporting about 50 to be meaningfully engaged in their community and/or to find paid employment.
“Employment for disabled people is often limited by opportunity, understanding and people’s attitudes towards disability rather than the person not having the skills, qualities or qualifications required for the role.
“In fact, disabled people make great employees and bring many benefits to employers and the workplace. They just need the opportunity to do so.”
IDEA Services and Choices NZ chief operating officer Joan Cowan said it was truly concerning that in New Zealand, people living with a disability are three times less likely to be employed.
“This is as hard as ever with the current job market because of Covid. However, through the work we do, we are making a lot of headway in changing some of those misconceptions that employers may have about hiring someone with a disability.”
There are myths that providing accommodations for people with disabilities is expensive, that there is a higher health and safety risk, or a higher absentee rate, she said.
“In fact, people with disabilities have an 85 per cent less absenteeism rate than people without a disability. And, often, there are government subsidies to help with any extra costs. “We just want businesses to give people a chance to prove themselves. A quarter of New Zealanders have a disability, and so hiring people with a disability better represents the society in which we live.”
Choices NZ supports people through the entire employment process — from how to look for a job and prepare for an interview through to on-the-job coaching.
Across the country, it was working with about 200 jobseekers and, although it did not have any contracts in the region, Cowan said Choices NZ was keen for Bay people to have access to the support in the future.
Figures from the Ministry for Social Development show in Tauranga City over the same timeframes there were 2760 jobseekers with health conditions and a disability compared to 2295 in 2020. In the Rotorua District, over the same timeframes, there were 1581 compared to 1230.
Client Service Delivery acting group general manager Graham
Allpress said its work could improve clients’ lives and give them independence.
“It can be hard to get a job if you have a health condition or disability and we want those people to know that we are here to help and support them in achieving their employment goals.”
There are many programmes to support disabled people and people with health conditions to prepare for, find and stay in work, he said.
Allpress acknowledged employers might be reluctant to employ a person with a disability.
Many of the specialist employment service providers it contracts successfully work with employers to educate them and overcome these and other barriers, he said.
In 2020, there were 954 cancellations in the Bay of Plenty from Jobseeker Support (Health Condition and Disability) and the reason was “obtained work”.
Sepuloni, who is also the Minister for Disability Issues, said the Government recognised the importance of disabled people being able to participate fully in all areas of society on an equal basis with others and without discrimination.
“I would absolutely encourage employers to take on disabled people. I believe they’re an untapped talent pool of loyal, resilient and committed people. They bring a perspective that can help transform an organisation’s culture. The contribution they can make to a workplace should not be underestimated.”