In Year 8 HASS we were asked to write a letter to an MP on an issue we were passionate about. They gave us multiple choices of topics like Climate Change, the Great Barrier Reef and violence against women. I chose to do something different and went with the issue of disability unemployment, as I knew that this issue would directly impact me in the future.
Here is my letter
PO Box 165
Willetton, WA 6955
All Saints’ College
PO Box 329
Willetton, WA, 6155
Dear Mr Morton:
I am writing to you today to make you aware of the extremely high unemployment rate of people living with a disability in Australia, despite the broader population enjoying some of the lowest levels of unemployment in many years. I’m hoping that in bringing this to your attention, you will be able to help businesses see the opportunity that is in front of them and lobby accordingly with policy makers.
As of 2018, one in five Australians lived with a disability but 54% were unemployed compared to 80% of the broader population being in the workforce. These statistics are unfortunately correct as there are many barriers that people with a disability face in getting a job. Some are more obvious like physical or communication barriers, but some are hidden like an unconscious bias that people with a disability cannot be employed. This unconscious bias is a lack of understanding of what people with a disability can achieve in the workforce.
“We’ve got to further our expectations of what people with a disability can really do”
– Dylan Alcott OAM, Australian of the Year.
What employers must realise is that hiring someone with a disability may be one of the best choices they make. 66% of people who do hire disabled people say they have lots of benefits. They strengthen the workplace by being more productive, they have an increased skill set, and improve customer satisfaction. Evidence shows that they take less sick leave and stay in jobs longer than other workers. This will not only improve their business but the life of the disabled people that they hire improving the employee’s job and financial security.
I know that it is a goal of the Australian Government to improve the national economy and give people more jobs. Without being inclusive to hire 20% of the population (those with disability) you would be missing out on a key factor to improve the economy. Not only would you be improving the economy by getting people with a disability into the workforce, you would also be making Australia a more inclusive place for all.
Yours sincerely
Madi Kent