Inclusive workplace: Genuine diversity or just a diversity hire trend for people with disabilities?

The 2023 APM Disability and Inclusivity Index outlines increased disability awareness amongst Australian employers. However, this isn’t echoed by jobseekers living with disabilities. Karan Nagrani says 'we are not a diversity hire' as he shares his experiences being an employee in Australia.

R -Colleagues talking in the office - including a visually impaired person with a guide dog. L- Karan Nagrani. Credit: FG Trade/Getty Images, Karan Nagrani

Disability and Inclusivity Index 2023

The APM Disability and Inclusivity Index 2023 outlines the barriers people living with disabilities face when entering and maintaining employment within Australia.

The index records 2.1 million people living with a disability within Australia, from which 1.3 million are underemployed as of October 2021.

Although, the index reports an increase in awareness of disability amongst Australian employers.

70% of employers claim their workplace is ‘fully accessible’ for people with disabilities.

However only 68% of people with disabilities agree with this claim, which has decreased from 80% people agreeing in 2022.

View the full APM Disability and Inclusivity Index 2023 here.

Navigating Employment Challenges

Speaking with SBS Punjabi, Karan Nagrani shared his experiences of finding and maintaining employment in Australia.

Karan Nagrani is a disability advocate, he uploads informative videos on his Instagram page and works at Guide Dogs Australia, Victoria. Credit: Karan Nagrani

Mr Nagrani is a 37-year-old Melbournian who lives with Usher Syndrome, which is a combination of a degenerative eye disease, Retinitis Pigmentosa and hearing loss.

“It’s really hard to find an organisation that caters to blind people, let alone wanting to employ a blind person,” said Mr Nagrani.

Regarding workplace accessibility, Mr Nagrani said that “accessibility is not a one-size-fits-all concept.”

Depending on individual needs, accessibility for someone blind differs from that for someone in a wheelchair.

One of the biggest misconceptions people have is that companies have to pay for staff training and equipment, but that is not true at all. Job access and NDIS are on an amazing mission to increase employment for people with disability.

Karan Nagrani

Mr Nagrani and the Workplace

Sharing his experiences at previous workplaces, Mr Nagrani was often hesitant to disclose living with usher syndrome, which impacts his sight and hearing.

“When I told them, they were like, it’s okay, we’re an inclusive workplace, but two hours later I got an email saying they picked someone more suitable,” said Mr Nagrani.

“Never have I gone to a workplace where my disability has been celebrated,” said Mr Nagrani

Karan Nagrani works at Guide Dogs Australia, Victoria, as part of the community fundraising and philanthropy team. Credit: Karan Nagrani

Disability Life Skills Trainer on employment challenges

Speaking with SBS Punjabi, Matthew Mullin, life skills trainer at a Western Australia-based disability support organisation, shared common challenges jobseekers with disabilities face.

 

“The main challenges include broken understanding between the manager and employee, the person living with disability,” said Mr Mullin.

Helping his clients gain work experience, to find and retain employment, Mr Mullin has worked closely in assisting individuals in overcoming employment challenges.

Mr Mullin elaborated that one challenge is the gap of understanding between what the organisation expects from the employee and how the individual perceives the task.

Individuals with disability often feel rejected when they aren’t successful for their job, they start to feel singled out, this can lead to some mental health consequences.

Matthew Mullin

Tailored Accessibility

Mr Nagrani currently works with Guide Dogs Australia in Victoria's community fundraising and philanthropy team.

The workplace has high contrast floors, consistent lighting, considerate teammates and easily accessible toilets, making it a comfortable environment for Mr Nagrani.

In a message to employers about how they can make workplaces more accessible for people living with disabilities, Mr Nagrani shared the need to provide a fair chance.

“Please stop looking at people with disabilities as a diversity hire,” said Mr Nagrani.

Mr Nagrani shared that any gadgets needed to accommodate disabled workers have been paid for by ‘Job Access’ or NDIS.

Mr Nagrani also shares informative videos on his Instagram page, raising awareness about the day-to-day challenges and experiences faces by people living with blindness.

Mr Mullin echoed Mr Nagrani's sentiments.

“There is a lack of awareness of the manager and their perceptions of individuals with disabilities, questioning their capability and often making assumptions before seeing that individual at work,” said Mr Mullin.

IDPwD

International Day of People with Disabilities (IDPwD) is held each year on December 3 and the first full week of December is dedicated for its awareness.

Promoting Australia’s Disability Strategy 2021-31, this program works to increase public awareness and acceptance of people living with disability.

In his message to the community through his interview, Mr Nagrani said, “Make every day for people with disabilities.”