818 Burke Road Camberwell VIC 3124
phone (03) 9805 9111 fax (03) 9882 7159
web www.epinet.org.au
Workplace Inclusion
Workplace Inclusion: What’s today about?
1. Employment in the Australian Context
2. Employment as a real possibility for people with
epilepsy
3. Employment barriers, strategies and opportunities
for support
www.epinet.org.au
Understanding is the Difference…
Launch of DVD
Five case studies of people living with epilepsy in
employment showcasing the barriers and strategies
they have used to gain and retain employment.
Made possible with the generous support of
All documentary participants
Anthony Ferrieri, Film-maker and
the Fred P Archer Trust Fund
www.epinet.org.au
Employment
• There is limited research into epilepsy and employment
in Australia
Australians with epilepsy are 3
times more likely to be
unemployed than other Australians
(Brown 2007)
www.epinet.org.au
Some employer views:
A UK study (1996) reported that:
• 60% of employers believed that safety was a barrier
to employing people with epilepsy,
• 23% for mobility and visual disabilities and
• 20% for hearing problems
www.epinet.org.au
• Another UK study (2005) found 16% of sampled
companies said there were no jobs in their company
suitable for people with epilepsy
• Also in this study, 21% thought employing people with
epilepsy would be a ‘major issue’
• Employers in this sample uniformly agreed that even in
remission, employees should disclose their condition to a
prospective employer
www.epinet.org.au
Barriers
• What are the barriers?
• Why do/don’t people disclose in the workplace?
• What are some of the strategies that could be used?
www.epinet.org.au
How can the Epilepsy Foundation of
Victoria support you …
•
Workplace Awareness
• Individual Support
• Advocacy
• Job Capacity Assessor Training
• Disability Employment Services Training
• Disclosure Workshop (upcoming)
www.epinet.org.au
PARLIAMENTARY FRIENDS OF EPILEPSY:
THE IMPACT OF EPILEPSY IN AUSTRALIA
INFORMAL INQUIRY 2009
Employment Recommendations
2. Government departments, especially Centrelink, be required to
review their policies to include a new definition of disability that includes
epilepsy, provide better access to services and benefits for those
affected by epilepsy and one application to cover access to services in
all government agencies.
3. Positive employment and support services in government agencies
be developed to recognise the needs, abilities and contributions of
those with epilepsy, thereby removing barriers to employment for this
group.
www.epinet.org.au
Thank you …
• All documentary participants
• Anthony Ferrieri, Film-maker
• Fred P Archer Trust Fund
www.epinet.org.au