Masks, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), social distancing, excellent hand hygiene – for many people with disability, this was a way of life before the pandemic. And the community’s increased commitment to staying home when sick and following infection control protocols has not just helped stop the spread of COVID-19, but it’s created a safer community for vulnerable people with compromised immune systems – often, people with disability.
The outdoors is for everyone, and in South Australia, the government is investing to make it more accessible, with all-terrain wheelchairs and electric trikes now available at popular tourist spots.
We’re shining a light on another influencer with disability this edition, Green’s Senator, Jordon Steele-John. Senator Steele-John’s influence reaches well beyond social media – as a politician, he’s got the influence to change laws in Australia through his lobbying, advocacy and vote.
A new role has been created in South Australia to reframe autism as an opportunity, rather than a disability, with the state government introducing a national-first Assistant Minister for Autism. Emily Bourke, who is also Assistant Minister to the Premier of South Australia, Peter Malinauskas, has been appointed to the role.
More than 1 million Australians with disability of working age are unemployed and the unemployment rate of people with disability increased from eight per cent in 2003 to 10 per cent in 2018. But fast forward to today, and one retailer is bucking that trend. Coles Group has been ranked first out of 26 organisations for actively recruiting people with disability.
Data released last month by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) confirmed Australia’s unemployment rate had fallen to 3.5 per cent – the lowest rate recorded since August 1974. However, while high job availability can be good news for individuals, it is causing widespread problems for employers and the economy – leading to workforce shortages and stagnated growth.
