Tesch urges employers to hire people with disability
Member for Gosford Ms Liesl Tesch has urged employers to do as she has done and employ a person with disabilities.
Her call comes after attending an NDIS Jobs and Skills Forum which discussed getting "more people with disability into meaningful employment".
"We are missing out on a wealth of talent and ideas from outdated and prejudiced employment practices.
"Those who want to work should work.
"Having a disability, be it physical or mental, should not be an impossible barrier to access employment, especially when employers across the country are struggling to fill positions."
Ms Tesch's staff member Ms Natalie Mallia lives with low vision and chronic pain.
She said: "It is vital that employers can see the ability beyond the disability, and Liesl is certainly supportive of my adjustments like all employers should be.
"I never thought that I would be able to work in an office environment again.
"I am so happy Liesl and the team are supportive and flexible with my tasks, and they have helped me understand that it is ok that I sometimes need a bit more time to do my job.
"I am back doing what I love, and it's even more fulfilling working for someone who is a passionate advocate for disability rights."
Ms Tesch said that, with the unemployment rate at a near-record low of 3.4 per cent in July, the unemployment rate for those with disability remained at around 10 per cent, highlighting the challenges faced.
"As a person living with a disability and employing a very talented person with a disability, this is an issue that is deeply personal to me.
"I invite all employers to educate themselves and look for some amazing opportunities in being part of creating a fully inclusive workforce."
SOURCE:
Media release, 6 Sep 2022
Liesl Tesch, Member for Gosford