Employing graduates with disability

Employing graduates with disability

Disability is diverse. Learn how to connect with this pool of student talent. 

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The importance of disability awareness

Disability is part of our shared human experience and, according to the World Health Organisation, it is likely to affect anyone at least once in their life, rather than just a minority group.

Did you know that 1 in 5 people have or have experienced disability and that disability may be permanent or temporary, acquired or lifelong, visible or invisible?

Disability is more diverse than you imagine, and chances are you are already employing graduates with disability.

Disabled man with classmates discussing college project outside in park.
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Defining disability

The Commonwealth Disability Discrimination Act (1992) defines disability as:

  •  total or partial loss of the person’s bodily or mental functions; or
  •  total or partial loss of a part of the body; or
  •  the presence in the body of organism causing disease or illness; or 
  • the malfunction, malformation or disfigurement of a part of the person’s body; or 
  • a disorder or malfunction that results in the person learning differently from a person without the disorder or malfunction; or
  • a disorder, illness or disease that affects a person’s thought processes, perception of reality, emotions or judgment, or that results in disturbed behaviour; and includes disability that:
  • presently exists; or
  • previously existed but no longer exists; or 
  • may exist in the future; or
  • is imputed to a person.

How to recruit students with disability

 

Creating an inclusive workplace

Start thinking about how to create an inclusive workplace, proactively engage with graduates with disability and establish accessible recruitment practices.

Workplace adjustments are a key part of creating accessibility, and often involve only small changes in different areas of your operations. Learn how to design an accessible and inclusive workplace.

You can also partner with the Australian Disability Network and be recognised as a Disability-Confident Recruiter.

Further support & resources