Jobs growth policies must include people with disabilities

October 12 2001 - With an unemployment rate for people with disabilities well above that for the general population, ACROD (National Industry Association for Disability Services) argues that policies designed to promote employment growth in Australia must include jobs for people with disabilities.

The most recent Australian Bureau of Statistics survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers (1998) showed that the unemployment rate for people with severe or profound disabilities who participated in the workforce stood at 12 points above that for the general population.

ACROD argues that Governments of both political persuasions have under-invested in disability employment and training services. For every dollar spent on Disability Support Pension payments, the Government invests a mere 5 cents in the 440 organisations that provide specialist services which help people with disabilities find and maintain jobs. There are many social and economic barriers to employment for people with disabilities.

Disabled people are also grossly under-represented in vocational education and training (VET). ACROD says that 'if persons with a disability had the same age-specific participation rate in VET as the wider population, then the participation rate would almost treble, rising from 3.6 per cent to 9.6 per cent. The links between education, training and employment are well established.'

A recent report estimates that increasing VET participation to this level would generate an extra $2.5 billion for Australia's economy.(*) This benefit is being lost to Australia while the participation rate remains so low.

ACROD concludes that the next Government should increase funding for disability employment and training services to ensure fewer disadvantages experienced by people with disabilities and more benefit for the economy from their contribution.

* Institute for Research into International Competitiveness, Economic and Social Analysis of Increasing Opportunities for people with a Disability in VET, 2001

The National Industry Association for Disability Services is at ACROD

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