DISABILITY – EVERYONE’S BUSINESS
14/02/2011
Dignity for Disability MP Kelly Vincent today called on the Business Council’s Graham Bradley to look at constructive ways for businesses to improve equal employment opportunity for people with disabilities, rather than demonising people who are in receipt of Disability Support Pensions. Ms Vincent’s comments were made in response to the Business Council’s call to reduce incentives for people living on disability support pensions.
“I was offended by Mr Bradley’s comments as they insinuate that the majority of people living on Disability Support Pensions, do so by choice, rather than necessity. People with disabilities are no different to anyone, we too value our independence and want to contribute to society.” said Ms Vincent
“I feel as though Mr Bradley is saying that the Disability Support Pension is a luxury, which is outrageous. The DSP provides the bare minimum for people to survive when they have no alternative source of income. While I agree that there need to be measures in place to ensure that recipients of the DSP are genuinely eligible, I feel that Mr Bradley’s made sweeping generalisations about everyone on the DSP.
“Of course, even those people with disabilities who are able to work can find it difficult to secure employment. That is clear when considering the unemployment rate for people with disabilities is 3.6% higher than for people without disabilities.
“Recently my office was contacted by a vision impaired woman who has been looking for employment in her area of expertise for five years, but despite her Masters Degree and 4 years of volunteer work in the field, she continues to be overlooked by employers.
“If Mr Bradley is serious about getting people with disabilities into the workforce then maybe he should consider former Maquarie Group Senior Executive Bill Moss’ suggestion to introduce disability employment targets for the top 500 ASX listed companies.
“I would welcome a meeting with Mr Bradley to discuss the merits of disability employment targets. Let’s face it, we have the laws to promote equal opportunity, but something more is needed and big business are in the best position to enable employment opportunity for people with disabilities.”
