Bunbury chosen to drive accessibility program

Bunbury has been chosen as one of several locations across Australia to pilot AccessAbility Day which aims to bring together employers and people with disabilities in an attempt to allow businesses to explore new possibilities.

Research suggests employers’ lack of experience in having staff with disabilities in their workplace was the main hurdle faced by people with disabilities hoping to gain employment.

AccessAbility Day allows both parties to get first-hand, personal experience without further obligation in the hope more people will be prepared to give it a go.

Forrest Personnel chief executive officer Anna Bagshaw said the organisation was supportive of any initiative which increases awareness of the benefits of employing people with disability.

“It coincides with International Disability Day and I think it is timely as employers become aware of the benefits having a diverse workplace brings,” she said.

Ms Bagshaw said she was happy to see the initiative piloted in Bunbury, especially as the city is striving to be the Most Accessible Regional City in Australia.

“The Assistant Minister for Social Services and Disability Services Jane Prentice was in Bunbury earlier this year, so we are grateful to her for thinking of Bunbury when thinking up new initiatives,” she said.

“We would encourage anyone who is interested to contact us at Forrest Personnel so we can get them to be a part of the day.”

Employers and people with disability can participate on any day from December 4 to 8.

For more information, contact Forrest Personnel on 1800 224 548.