EmployAbility Australia SCIA

Want to make sure you are saying the right things? Here are our 10 Tips for fostering respectful PWD Corporate Language. https://loom.ly/t5_B1lk

The journey to finding your dream job can be both exciting and challenging, especially for individuals with disabilities. However, having the right mindset can make all the difference in turning your aspirations into reality. Being in the right mindset doesn’t mean ignoring the barriers you face or dismissing the difficulties that come with living with a disability. Rather, it's about recognising your strengths, learning from each experience, and embracing your unique abilities. It’s about believing in yourself and seeing the best in others, while also facing challenges head-on. In fact, research shows that a positive attitude can lead to several health benefits, such as: - Lower rates of depression - Reduced stress levels - Improved physical well-being - Enhanced ability to navigate difficult challenges Strengthen your mindset Here are five practical strategies to help strengthen your mindset on your journey to securing meaningful employment: 1. Focus on possibilities Instead of focusing on the limitations or negative aspects of a situation, train yourself to see the opportunities. For example, if you face a job interview setback, consider it a chance to refine your skills or discover a new path that aligns better with your goals. Reframing challenges can help you maintain optimism and resilience. 2. Build a supportive community around you Surround yourself with positive, encouraging people who believe in your potential. This might include family, friends, mentors, or support groups that understand your unique challenges and can offer advice and motivation. At the same time, limit your exposure to negativity, which can sap your energy and confidence. 3. Start your day with intent Establishing a positive morning routine can set the tone for a productive day. Whether it’s light exercise, meditation, or a nutritious breakfast, small daily habits can create a sense of purpose and boost your mental and physical well-being. This is especially important when navigating the ups and downs of the job search process. 4. Focus on the present While it’s natural to think about your future, it's important to stay grounded in the present. By focusing on the tasks and actions that will move you closer to your goals, you’ll be better equipped to handle setbacks and make progress. Avoid dwelling too much on what might happen and instead work on what you can achieve today. 5. Learn from your setbacks Setbacks are part of any job search, and this is especially true when navigating the complexities of disability employment. Instead of letting these moments discourage you, view them as learning opportunities. Reflect on what you can improve, adapt your approach, and keep moving forward. Persistence is key to finding the right role that matches your skills and ambitions. Do you have any additional tips?

Goal setting is crucial when job hunting, especially for individuals with disabilities, as it helps you prioritise areas of your life that are most important and ensures your job search aligns with your personal needs and circumstances. If done effectively, it creates a clear, measurable plan for achieving your goals in a timely way. What should you consider when setting goals? Goal setting with your @EmployAbility Employment Coach is essential to keeping you accountable and on track during your job search journey. It ensures your efforts are focused on the right activities while helping you overcome specific barriers related to your disability. Develop a list of five to seven items gives you several things to work on over a period of time. Your goals should reflect your personal aspirations. Ask yourself why you want to work. Is it to gain independence, financial stability, or a sense of purpose? What are your passions, and how can they guide your long-term career ambitions? Understanding your "why" can help you set meaningful goals that excite and motivate you. By setting manageable, realistic short-term goals, you can build confidence and make steady progress toward achieving larger, long-term career objectives. This approach ensures that your goals are adaptable to your unique circumstances while still leading to success. State goals as declarations of intention and be specific, not items on a wish list. "I want to apply to three organisations for a job" lacks power. "I will apply to three organisations ..." is intentional and powerful. S.M.A.R.T Goals are: Specific - Your goal should be clear and specific, otherwise you won't be able to focus your efforts or feel truly motivated to achieve it. Measurable - It's important to have measurable goals, so that you can track your progress and stay motivated. Achievable - Your goal also needs to be realistic and achievable to be successful. In other words, it should stretch your abilities but still remain possible. Relevant - This step is about ensuring that this goal matters to you. Sometimes your long term goals may change so it is important to have the flexibility to adapt. Time bound - Every goal needs a target date, so that you have a deadline to focus on and something to work towards.

Did you know that October and November are two of the best months to go job hunting? So let's sharpen those job searching skills and get ready for success! Lesson 1 - The Job search journey. For some, looking for work can be easy but for others the process of looking for work can be daunting. When you begin working with our Employment coaches, they will help you to break your journey down into three simple steps; Preparation, Action, Transition. Looking at the job search process in these three stages, will help to make it easier for you to understand.

Australia's newly implemented 'Right to Disconnect' law, became effective from August 2024. They are a significant step toward ensuring a healthier work-life balance for all employees. This legislation is particularly beneficial for people with disabilities, as it addresses unique challenges they face in the workplace. Systemic Advocacy and Social Impact Manager, Suzie Stollznow, at SCIA sums this benefit up nicely in one simple sentence “Flexibility benefits Disability”. Organisations such as the @FairWorkOmbudsman, @DiversityCouncilAustralia, and the University of Sydney have responded positively to the new 'Right to Disconnect' legislation, highlighting its potential to reduce stress and burnout, promote equal treatment, and enhance work-life balance for people with disabilities. - Empowerment: The right to disconnect empowers people with disabilities by reducing work-related stress and burnout. - Work-Life Balance: Promotes a healthy work-life balance, crucial for managing personal well-being. - Perception: Unconscious bias towards people with disabilities may lead to the perception that they are less committed or dedicated. - Ambiguity: The right to disconnect includes some exceptions that enter into grey areas of understanding over what is considered “reasonable” Read more detail on our website: https://loom.ly/mF3Y2wc #EmployAbility #DisabilityEmployment #RightToDisconnect

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🚨 An important topic for organisations to consider when developing workplace procedures is Disability and Emergency preparedness. It’s crucial to prioritise the needs of individuals with disabilities when it comes to planning for and responding to emergencies. Be Prepared: Be Prepared from day one. EmployAbility strongly recommends each and every employee with a disability completes their own PEEP document. PEEP stands for Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan. The document is completed by the employee, HR, and the organisations Fire Warden. Contact us for a copy if required. Accessibility Matters: When emergencies strike, accessibility becomes a matter of life and death. People with disabilities face unique challenges in evacuation, access to emergency shelters, communication, and receiving essential services. An EmployAbility DISC can help you identity any potential issues, especially tripping hazards that so commonly become objects to be mindful of for PWD. You’d be surprised at just how often emergency exits become blocked off for wheelchair users. Inclusive Communication: Effective communication is key in emergency situations, but it often falls short in reaching individuals with disabilities. Let’s advocate for inclusive communication strategies, such as providing information in accessible formats (braille, large print, audio), using sign language interpreters, and utilising technology for real-time updates. Community Engagement: It’s vital to engage with the disability community when developing emergency preparedness plans. By actively involving individuals with disabilities, we can better understand their needs, concerns, and suggestions. Together, we can create inclusive strategies that leave no one behind. Remember the phrase “Nothing about us, without us”. Training and Education: Education plays a crucial role in empowering both individuals with disabilities and emergency responders. Let’s support initiatives that provide training on disability awareness, inclusive emergency response, and best practices for accommodating diverse needs. Knowledge is power, and together, we can build a more inclusive and resilient society. This is where our BEC (Building Employer Confidence) training can really help both employees and the organisation. Spread Awareness: Share this post and help raise awareness about the importance of disability-inclusive emergency preparedness. Together, we can combat the barriers that prevent equal access and inclusion during emergencies. Let’s create a supportive environment where everyone feels valued, protected, and empowered. We strongly advocate for our clients. We know that Disability Inclusion only takes your considerate thought. So please, remember, disability inclusion shouldn’t be an afterthought—it’s a fundamental part of emergency preparedness. Let’s work together to ensure that everyone has equal access to safety employability@scia.org.au https://loom.ly/_vhEXXo

Empowering EmployAbility: Spinal Cord Injuries Australia and the Building Employer Confidence Program Introduction. In today’s evolving job market, inclusivity and diversity are more than just buzzwords—they are essential components of a thriving workplace. EmployAbility, the employment arm of Spinal Cord Injuries Australia (SCIA) is at the forefront of this movement, championing the employability of individuals with physical disabilities & neurological conditions. Through innovative programs like the Building Employer Confidence program, EmployAbility is not only changing lives but also transforming business cultures. The Building Employer Confidence program is designed to equip employers with the knowledge and tools they need to create inclusive workplaces. Disability Confident organisations play a leading role in changing attitudes for the better. They’re changing behaviour and cultures in their own businesses, networks, and communities, and reaping the benefits of inclusive recruitment practices. By fostering an environment where everyone can thrive, these organisations are setting a new standard for workplace inclusivity. Disability Confident organisations are pivotal in driving change. They lead by example, demonstrating that inclusive practices are not just beneficial for employees with disabilities but for the entire workforce. These organisations are changing behaviour and cultures within their own businesses, networks, and communities. By embracing diversity, they are unlocking new levels of creativity, productivity, and employee satisfaction. At EmployAbility Australia SCIA, we believe in the power of community and support. If you know someone with a physical disability or condition who is looking for employment, refer them to us! EmployAbility SCIA and the Building Employer Confidence program are making significant strides in promoting employability for individuals with disabilities. By partnering with Disability Confident organisations, we are creating a more inclusive and equitable job market. Together, we can change attitudes, behaviours, and cultures for the better, ensuring that everyone can succeed. Feel free to share this blog with your network to spread the word about the incredible work being done by EmployAbility SCIA and the Building Employer Confidence program. Let’s work together to create a more inclusive future for all! And that’s a Rap !! Mazzz Maz Fenwick #DisabilityActionPlans #DiversityAndInclusion #DisabilityEmployment #WeknowDisabilityEmployment

Today, along with Spinal Cord Injuries Australia and NeuroMoves, we are at the Brain Injury SA conference in Adelaide as a proud Silver Sponsor. We are both speaking and exhibiting, discussing disability employment and care for our TBI clients. #disabilityemployment #employability #scia #TBI #ABI #neuromoves #NBIC24

Inclusion only takes considerate thought. Think about it. Jordon Steele-John on Instagram: "Snippet of the wheelchair accessibility at parliament house. Hoping that sharing this will bring attention to the barriers other disabled folks might be experiencing in their workplaces. Parliament House passes our laws about disability access and should setting a gold standard for how they’re applied. This is pretty darn far from a gold standard and I worry about what that means for other workplaces around the country." ref: @jordonsteelejohn on Instagram #Disability #EmployAbility #Dontassume #ThinkAboutIt #Inclusion #Jordon Steele-John