Disability employment: choosing work and practical support
Employers need the talent of people with disability in this new COVID world
By CoAct · Originally published 11 January 2022
Start with work you want and the adjustments you need
Use the résumé and interview suggestions where they suit your situation. You do not need to present disability as a special talent or disclose private health information just to follow the article’s advice. Identify the tasks, hours and environment that interest you, then ask about the recruitment steps and adjustments that would help you take part.
A useful employment-support conversation should end with concrete next actions: who will help with applications, what roles will be explored and how you can revisit the plan. Check Inclusive Employment Australia rather than relying on the old DES registration offer.
Original article and dated context
CoAct is a pioneering not-for-profit that helps people across Australia find jobs. In partnership with other purpose-driven organisations across Australia, they build the capabilities and skills of jobseekers with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, the long-term unemployed, parents, mature-age workers, youth, people from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds and other disadvantaged groups.
As we know, the world of work doesn’t look the same to how it did two years ago. The pandemic has given us all the opportunity to do things differently, including create workplaces that are more accessible and inclusive.
At CoAct, we help people with disability find a job they love, and educate employers on diversity, accessibility and inclusivity. In this post, we want to celebrate your skills, talent and contributions you offer to employers – and share how you can get started and apply for jobs.
How people have coped during COVID
In many environments, those who have adapted well to the pandemic are those who were familiar coming up against barriers every day. People living with ongoing challenges, like a disability, have to make decisions about their health all the time.
Every day they could be making choices related to fatigue, pain and self-preservation in order to make sure they’re living within safe limits.
Skills employers need
Over the last couple of years, employers have realised the importance of having a team who can focus on an objective and get it done, despite unexpected curve balls. They’re looking for people who are flexible, can stay strong, adapt and problem-solve during tough times.
People with disability, like you, are remarkably good at this.
[Clickability update, October 2026:
The performance comparisons below are historical research claims. They are not guaranteed results for every workplace, and disability inclusion does not depend on exceptional attendance or productivity. Current Inclusive Employment Australia information explains the employment program now available.
]
Waking up to the benefits of a diverse workforce
Global research from Accenture found businesses that have more people with disabilities in their workforce are increasing sales three times faster than those that don't. The same companies are four times more profitable.
Workers with disability often have lower absenteeism, employee turnover and workplace injuries, according to the Australian Safety and Compensation Council.
Businesses also benefit from an enhanced brand reputation, with the Australian Network on Disability finding employees and customers are more loyal to businesses who value diversity and inclusion.
Here’s what a few employers we work with have to say. They have no reservations about employing people with disability.
“As soon as I met Jessica, I thought – I like this girl. She had a good attitude and was open to learning. I tried her out straight away and was right. It’s not about what people are, it’s about who people are. And Jessica’s a friendly, professional and enthusiastic employee who gets a great response from customers.” Annette, Vincenzo’s, Thulimbah.
“GG’s is all about inclusion – no matter your disability, personal situation or background. Our staff are ever so loyal. They do anything and everything that’s required of them with such a wonderful attitude. They always turn up to work on time and are always willing to learn.” Nip, GG’s Flowers, Canberra.
“We’ve supported our employees with disability as we would anyone else. If they’ve been anxious or unsettled, we’ve asked why. We’ve encouraged them to speak up about what they need from the job and areas of the restaurant they’d like to work in. My message to other employers would be to recruit on an individual’s ability and dedication to the role. If they genuinely want to work and have good references, then the skills and experience can come later. I sincerely hope these individuals stay with us a long time.” Chris, McDonalds, Rockhampton.
Unfortunately, just 53 percent of people with disability are in work. This compares to 84 percent of people without disability in work, according to the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC).
While more and more employers are seeing the benefits of employing a diverse workforce, we still need to advocate and empower you to be your authentic self at work.
Need some tips to get started?
Whether you’ve been employed before or just starting out, it can be hard to know how to approach your job search. Nyssa deWaard is CoAct’s National Operations Manager for Disability Employment Services and says that the best place to start is wherever you feel comfortable.
“Be kind to yourself and acknowledge that no matter what your situation, looking for work can be a daunting process. The best thing you can do is start. Start getting your house in order so you’re as ready as possible when you find a job you want to apply for.”
Tackling the following is a great place to start:
Put together an elevator pitch.
Having a sharp elevator pitch that briefly summarises you, your credentials and your goals is super valuable. You never know when you might meet a prospective employer or come across a job opportunity. Read more about crafting an elevator pitch and download our template here.
Nail your resume.
There are some basic tips and tricks for nailing your resume so that you can get the attention of employers and have the opportunity to show them what you can do. A well-thought-out resume makes it much easier to sell yourself. Check out our article on resume writing here.
Master the art of the cover letter.
Avoid sending out a generic, run-of-the-mill cover letter. It’s often the first thing recruiters read when viewing candidate profiles – even ahead of the resume. Discover how to write one well here.
Update your profiles online.
Once you’ve updated your elevator pitch and resume, be sure to set up or update your profile on LinkedIn, Seek.com.au and any other job search sites so employers can find you and you can apply for jobs quicker.
Do some research.
Think about what your skills are, what you like and don’t like doing, and what kind of employer or industry you might like to work for. Look on job search sites such as Seek.com.au to find out what industries are hiring in your area, and what qualifications or skills you might need for them. Getting clear on what you want and what’s available will help narrow your job search.
Set some goals.
Break the end goal of finding a job down into smaller, more manageable goals. This will keep you motivated and give you a greater sense of achievement for the little wins.
We can help you do all of these things, so don’t worry, you don’t have to do them alone.
We can find a place for your talent
We’ve worked with people from all walks of life and understand how different each of us are. By spending time getting to know you, and genuinely listening, we’ll help you find a job you enjoy.
Here’s what we’ll help you do:
Put together a plan for finding work.
Build your confidence.
Get help to find and apply for jobs.
Understand your local employment market.
Connect with potential employers and support services.
Understand the funding you’re eligible for.
Receive support for at least 12 months in your new role.
If you’d like one of our team to give you a call to talk through whether our Disability Employment Services program is right for you, register here.
Clickability editorial update: October 2026
Make recruitment accessible before asking candidates to adapt
Describe essential duties clearly and provide a contact for adjustment requests. Ask the applicant what would help; disability alone does not tell you whether remote work, a modified interview or another arrangement is suitable. Evaluate the person’s skills against the role and review agreed adjustments with them. Testimonials in the original article illustrate particular experiences, not outcomes that every worker must reproduce. JobAccess provides employment information and support.
Questions readers ask
Is DES still the current program?
Inclusive Employment Australia replaced DES on 1 November 2025. Official guidance
Does inclusion require a financial return to be justified?
People should be assessed fairly and supported appropriately; the article’s business claims are not individual employment conditions.
Find NDIS support alongside your work goals
If you need disability support alongside employment services, tell Clickability what you are looking for. Check each provider’s role and how its assistance fits your goals.
