A helping hand, expert advice: how a JobAccess Professional Adviser supports employers to remove barriers

Nicola Tuckwell

Organisational Excellence Manager, WA

Expert support, innovative solutions, and clear and consistent communication – that is what you can expect when engaging with a JobAccess Professional Adviser regarding workplace modifications, support and training to remove barriers to disability employment.

JobAccess Professional Advisers are fully qualified health professionals who can talk with people with disability, employers and service providers about managing disability in the workplace and provide tailored suggestions.

This includes coordinating with the National Panel of Assessors to conduct free workplace assessments and advising on workplace modifications and support that may be eligible for reimbursement through the Employment Assistance Fund (EAF).

The most satisfying part of this role is to see the changes that small and large modifications can make for an individual who has been trying to cope without help for a long time. Knowing that these changes will mean the person can complete their tasks with confidence and independence and improve their productivity gives me satisfaction.

Being part of a process that enables a worker living with disability to be more comfortable and participate in meaningful employment and feel a more productive member of a team is very rewarding.

The JobAccess team has years of accumulated knowledge about the best ways to remove workplace barriers for people with disability, ensuring the right modifications and adjustments are made quickly and efficiently to allow people to get on with their job. These can be small or large, involve new assistive technologies or simple changes to work routines, and even include awareness training and AUSLAN interpreting to support workmates.

..feedback we have received from employers shows that 98 per cent of employees with disability were still employed with the same employer after receiving funding support through the EAF

I manage several new inquiries in a day, with initial discussions to determine the barriers involved. Additionally, I progress existing applications, review reports from assessors, approve recommendations and provide updates to the parties involved, including employers, employees with disability and service providers.

When employing a person with disability, or when an existing employee with disability shares difficulties they may be encountering in their role, we encourage employers to provide reassurance and offer support to address any workplace barriers. Employers can also advise that JobAccess may be able to assist overcome the difficulties they are experiencing and that the process is easy to navigate and managed by experienced health professionals.

JobAccess has managed over 56,000 applications for workplace modifications since 2006. And, each one has made a difference.

JobAccess surveys employers 13 weeks after implementing workplace adjustments and supports funded by the EAF. The feedback we have received from employers shows that 98 per cent of employees with disability were still employed with the same employer after receiving funding support through the EAF, while 92 per cent of employers indicated that employees were more productive post-implementation of workplace adjustments. An overwhelming 97 per cent of employers indicated that the EAF provided the help it was intended to.

It means simple, innovative changes can make a big difference for people with disability to perform at their highest potential and stay employed while employers can retain their best talent.

This singular focus on the individual and employer has drawn global recognition for the program’s innovative approach to improving employment outcomes for Australians with disability. At JobAccess, we believe that getting it right on disability gets it right for everyone.