Jobseekers to dispel disability myths

Disabled persons' advocate Paul Curry. Photo / File

Tauranga is set to host an employment summit aimed at improving disabled job seekers' participation in the paid workforce

The Bay of Plenty Disability Employment Summit, which will be held at Club Mount Maunganui on October 27, is organised by the Western and Eastern Bay of Plenty Disabled Persons Assembly.

Paul Curry, vice president of the Western Bay Disabled Persons Assembly, said: "There are lots of myths and misconceptions among employers about hiring staff with disabilities."

That included the belief they take a lot more sick leave, and employing people with disabilities costs companies a lot more to accommodate their needs. Mr Curry said during the summit, which was aimed at dispelling those myths, business, community and disability sector leaders would explore ways to identify more opportunities for disabled persons to participate in paid work.

The summit findings would be used to develop a strategic solutions blueprint plan and a taskforce group to take recommendations forward.

Mr Curry said there was a huge opportunity for employers to tap into the skills and talents of many highly skilled people with disabilities.

The former chief executive of the Families Commission said he currently served as a director on a number of companies and trust boards locally and nationally. "It is generally our experience that people don't usually overtly discriminate against people with disabilities. It's usually fear of the unknown or lack of understanding that means barriers are put up which excludes people with disabilities from employment opportunities."

The number one issue raised at a Disabled Persons' Assembly workshop in March was the opportunity to participate in "meaningful employment".

According to the 2013 census, 27 per cent of the Bay of Plenty's population have some form of disability - the second highest in the country - and are twice as likely to be unemployed.

Guest speakers at the summit include NZ Racing Board chief executive John Allen and several employers who will present case studies about the merits of employing people with disabilities. At least 50 people had registered but organisers can cater for up to 150.

Tauranga Workbridge's area manager Kerry de Vries said his agency looked to place 160 to 170 people with disabilities, injury or illness into the workforce a year, which can be a struggle. "Employers need to focus on what our jobseekers can do, not what they can't do. They have nothing to fear and everything to gain."

Some findings from 2013 Statistics NZ disability survey

* 61 per cent of disabled people aged 15-64 had paid jobs.
* More than in either managerial or professional roles.
* 74 per cent of those unemployed would work if a job was available.
* Disabled adults fare worse in the labour market with higher unemployment rates.
* Disabled workers tended to have lower incomes with 38 per cent reporting yearly incomes of $38,000 or less.
* To register for the summit contact Wendy Neilson at wgneils@waikato.ac.nz; RSVP by October 20.