State of play
According to the latest ABS figures (ABS 2011, Cat. No.4430.0), approximately one in five people in Australia (18.5%) reported disability in 2009. Approximately 635,000 people (2.9%) reported having the most severe types of disabilities (i.e. they always need help or supervision with their mobility, communication and/or self-care).
The labour force participation rate of Australians with disability in 2009 was 54%, compared to 83% for people without disability. Women with disabilities were particularly affected, with a participation rate of 49%, well below the 60% participation rate of males with disabilities and the 77% participation rate of females without disabilities.
People with a disability who were employed were more likely to be working part-time (38%) than those with no disability (31%). Women with disabilities have a much higher rate of part-time employment (56% of females with disabilities who are employed) than males with disabilities (22% of males with disabilities who are employed).
The Australian Government noted in its report, 'The Way Forward – A New Disability Policy Framework For Australia’, that Australia is not performing well in assisting people with disability to benefit from employment. Not only is Australia’s rate of workforce participation by people with disability lower than most Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries, Australia’s rate is actually declining while the employment rate of people with disability in like countries is increasing.
However, the 20% of the population who have a disability represent a significant market, especially as the population ages. Having a workforce that reflects your customer base is crucial if you are to understand your customer needs.
What does this mean for organisations?
In a tight and shrinking labour market, employers will need to recruit from a more diverse talent pool in order to meet their workforce needs. People with disabilities provide an often untapped talent pool.
