Rates of employment of people with disability in Australia are among the lowest in the OECD countries. While there are various government labour market initiatives in place to support employment of people with disability, rates of job placement are very low and tend to benefit those returning to work from an accident rather than those with congenital or long term disability. Little has been done to address structural and systemic barriers in the workplace that limit employability of many people with disability. Employment rates of people with disability in government public services have declined over the last two decades. Poorly paid positions in sheltered/segregated work settings supported and subsidised by government continue to be the only avenue of employment for a significant number of people with disability. There are even poorer employment opportunities for people with disability from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities often due to a lack of culturally relevant options. Many people with higher support needs who have the same aspirations to work and be productive have been deemed unemployable with significant implications for self worth and well being that arises from a productive life. More creative and broader approaches to work need to be developed that make the most of their capacity for making a positive contribution.
