People with a disability working in the NSW Public Sector

EmployABILITY is the NSW Government’s strategy to increase the employment of people with disability, including people with mental illness in the NSW public sector.

People with a disability have a fundamental right to participate in, and fully contribute to, the life of our society. Employment not only represents economic independence but an increased sense of self worth, the opportunity to contribute to society and a sense of belonging and connection with other people.

People with a disability seek employment which is continuing and meaningful, and with employers who can provide a supportive work environment, opportunities for skill development and a career pathway.

The NSW public sector has the capacity to provide this. The sector offers a diverse range of work opportunities and environments, flexible working arrangements and strong leadership.

Defining disability

Defining disability in employment is highly contextual. The definition used by the NSW Workforce Profile Collection is deliberately broad. It draws on the definition used by the Australian Bureau of Statistics for the Census of Population and Housing.

For the purpose of employment the definition states that a person should identify as having a disability if they have one or more of the following limitations or restrictions:

• a long-term medical condition or ailment
• speech difficulties in their native language
• a disfigurement or deformity
• a psychiatric condition
• a head injury, stroke or any other brain damage
• loss of sight or hearing
• incomplete use of any part of their body
• blackouts, fits or loss of consciousness
• restriction in physical activities or physical work
• slowness at learning or understanding
• any other condition resulting in a restriction.[1]

People with a disability with one or more of these conditions may require adjustment depending on the employment context.
Agencies may need to make work-related adjustments so that:

• job applicants with a disability can compete based on their capabilities and win positions on merit
• employees with a disability can use their skills effectively and can contribute fully to a role.

Adjustments can apply to all areas of employment including the interview stage, recruitment, training, career development, transfers or to any other employment benefit.

Adjustments are a means for an employee to achieve the outcomes required from the position and are consistent with merit principles. Making work related adjustments to a job or workplace can include:

• job redesign
• changing the workplace or work area
• purchasing or modifying equipment
• offering flexible working arrangements.

Assistance and funding support is available to help employers to provide work-related adjustments. The nature of the necessary adjustment will depend on the particular needs of the individual. This site contains links and resources to assist managers and staff with disability related employment matters.

The Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 (NSW) states that employers are required to provide the necessary services and facilities to enable a person with a disability to carry out a job for which they are qualified. This is the basis of the public sector policy to provide work-related adjustments.

The following are two publications for NSW public sector staff on employing job seekers with a disability. They are digital versions of printed publications which have been developed to provide flexible access to this information, especially for people with vision impairment.

• The Employ Able Training Workbook recognises the skills and opportunities people with a disability bring to the Public Sector workforce. It dispels the myths about disability and demonstrates in practical ways how staff involved in the recruitment process can take up and capitalise on these opportunities.
• The purpose of the Employ Able Resource Guide (P2003_002) is to complement the training program by providing background information on various types of disabilities and issues related to recruiting and employing people with those disabilities. This Resource Guide also provides further information on a range of services.

[1] Excerpt from NSW Public Sector Workforce Profile Collection Data Specifications July 2010