Hi, my name is Jacob. I'm someone with a university degree and I have communication access requirements, which means that I use this communication device to get my message across. However, it doesn't mean that I cannot understand what people say to me.
People often make the wrong assumptions about me and what I'm capable of. The way that I communicate is just one factor about me and who I am as a person; it doesn't define my future.
People with communication access requirements have the right to participate in all aspects of life. We have the right to education, to socialise, to access the same essential services as anyone else, and the right to meaningful employment.
Hi, my name's Alex. Did you know one in seven Australians may have communication access requirements at some stage in their lives? This can look different for different people. Some people might have difficulty in saying what they want to say. Others may find it hard to understand what they hear or read.
In Australia, the rate of unemployment for people with disability is 10.5%. This is double the rate of unemployment for others who do not have a disability. People who have communication access requirements can find it hard to secure meaningful employment. This can be because employers are not confident in knowing how to successfully recruit and retain employees with communication access requirements.
They may fear the unknown or have misconceptions about people who have communication access requirements. There is also a lack of resources to guide employers in supporting employees with communication access requirements.
Scope Australia has developed a suite of resources and an e-learning module to build employers’ confidence to recruit and retain people who have communication access requirements. With the right support and resources, both employers and employees can benefit from hiring people with communication access requirements.
A fully accessible and inclusive workplace for people with communication access requirements starts with a conversation. Good communication is good business.