3 Recent work on barriers to employment of people with disability
In 2014, the Australian Human Rights Commission held a National Disability Forum and conducted a National Disability Survey. The results of the survey showed that people with disability identify access to employment as one of the most important human rights issues they face.[1] A recurring comment in the survey was that many people with disability want to work and were capable of working.[2]
This is consistent with the National Inquiry into Employment and Disability undertaken by the Commission in 2005.[3] The Inquiry report, WORKAbility, made a number of recommendations in respect of barriers to employment for people with disability.[4]
In 2011, the Australian Department of Social Services released the National Disability Strategy 2010-2020.[5] The strategy covers a range of policy areas to be addressed in order to improve the lives of people with disability and ensure equal access to employment, healthcare, education, transport, public facilities and infrastructure.
Willing to Work will draw on the previous work of the Commission and other organisations in conducting this Inquiry and making recommendations.
[1] Australian Human Rights Commission, National Disability Forum 2014 – Summary of Results (2014). At http://www.humanrights.gov.au/our-work/disability-rights/publications/national-disability-forum-2014-summary-survey-results (viewed 22 May 2015).
[2] Australian Human Rights Commission, National Disability Forum 2014 – Summary of Results (2014), p 12. At http://www.humanrights.gov.au/our-work/disability-rights/publications/national-disability-forum-2014-summary-survey-results (viewed 22 May 2015).
[3] Australian Human Rights Commission, National Inquiry into Employment and Disability. At https://www.humanrights.gov.au/our-work/disability-rights/projects/national-inquiry-employment-and-disability (viewed 20 May 2015).
[4] Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission, WORKability II: Solutions People with Disability in the Open Workplace Final Report of the National Inquiry into Employment and Disability (2005). At https://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CB4QFjAA&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.humanrights.gov.au%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2FWorkability%2520II%2520-%2520Solutions%25202005_1.pdf&ei=ZaReVfjqFYru8gXr0YDIDg&usg=AFQjCNETb0qGxvbY5QAPta9UHIsBLVUOWw&bvm=bv.93990622,d.dGc
[5] Council of Australian Governments, National Disability Strategy 2010-2020 (2011). At https://www.dss.gov.au/our-responsibilities/disability-and-carers/publications-articles/policy-research/national-disability-strategy-2010-2020 (viewed 20 May 2015).