September 2014 Newsletter
Job interviews - a waste of time?
If you want to go fast, go alone.
If you want to go far, go together.
(African proverb)
Regular readers of this newsletter will know that the NDRC is a major supporter of partnerships as
a key means of increasing employment opportunities for people with disability. Employers are not
alone when it comes to opening up employment opportunities for people with disability - you can
tap into a number of support services at any stage of the recruitment process. With these key
messages in mind, the NDRC was very pleased to be involved with the launch of two exciting new
resources for employers at our most recent Getting to Yes seminar. More about that later!
An article of interest in The Age newspaper recently was titled - Job interviews: a waste of time? In
this piece, the author challenges the notion that interviews are the best way to find the right
person for the job and makes specific mention of research that concludes candidates with
disability often fare poorly:
“...even when people with disabilities performed well in an interview, they were still
judged more harshly than those without disabilities.
...So, by all means, continue using interviews – just don’t excessively rely on them. They
only really tell you how good someone is at, um, being interviewed.”
The NDRC certainly knows flexibility in the workplace goes a long way to helping people with
disability secure meaningful employment. Indeed, another thing we often ‘bang on' about is
encouraging employers to consider doing things a little differently to assess the knowledge and
skills of potential employees. To read the article in full click visit The Age website
(www.theage.com.au/small-business/managing/blogs/work-in-progress/job-interviews-a-wasteof-time-20140905-3ex29.html).
This month we highlight new and existing NDRC partners and how you can register an event to
help celebrate International Day of People with Disability. Please enjoy the read.
Kind regards, Lucy Macali, General Manager, NDRC
Latest news
PRACTICAL TOOLS FOR AUSTRALIAN EMPLOYERS
Rob Gordon, CEO WorkFocus Australia was proud to launch two new practical resources for
employers at the NDRC’s latest Getting to Yes seminar, recently held in Perth.
The first tool Rob shared with guests was The JobAccess Stories. These powerful video
stories demonstrate the JobAccess service in action, removing barriers in the workplace for
people with a broad range of disabilities and supporting Australian employers. We
encourage you to take a look at these videos and share them widely with your colleagues
and friends.

Access Communication (www.youtube.com/watch?v=_yFujf2S1GI&feature=youtu.be) Australia Post and Caroline Browne

Access Productivity (www.youtube.com/watch?v=esFrZtOYYvU&feature=youtu.be) –
Louise Pearson

Access All Areas (www.youtube.com/watch?v=csBm74CVVY8&feature=youtu.be) - Huy
Nguyen

The JobAccess Stories (www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCCjvwpLCb8&feature=youtu.be)
- a compilation
The second initiative launched was the NDRC’s Getting to Yes ToolKit for employers– a
comprehensive ‘how to’ guide on disability employment... a lovely folder jam-packed with
practical information, resources and support for employers. Employers who sign up to work
with the NDRC receive this guide as a lasting resource to support their disability
employment efforts.
Ian Tsolakis, Group Disability Employment Manager of Crown Perth, was excited to be the
first recipient of the NDRC’s Getting to Yes ToolKit – your workplace fitness plan on disability
and employment. Ian is seen here receiving his ToolKit from Natalie Anderson, NDRC
Account Manager.
Real stories
SACARE'S OPEN APPROACH TO RECRUITMENT
SACARE has an open approach to employment where the right attitude is as much a determining
factor as having a specific set of skills and abilities.
Supported Accommodation and Care Services (SACARE) is a South Australian, family-owned
business committed to enhancing the lives of its clients by providing welcoming and
comfortable supported accommodation, real lifestyle solutions, compassionate care and
exceptional support services. It also provides services within the aged care sector through
leading agency Adelaide Care Solutions.
SACARE has an open approach to employment where the right attitude is as much a
determining factor as having a specific set of skills and abilities, offering great flexibility for
potential employees. SACARE recently asked the NDRC to share two home-based
employment opportunities with Disability Employment Service providers in South Australia.
The NDRC assisted with the recruitment process, advertising the vacancies and short-listing
candidates for interview. Chloe, Manager of Human Resources and Marketing
Communications was most impressed with the quality of applications received. One
candidate was invited for a second interview and subsequently offered a position handling
the after-hours phone for Adelaide Care Solutions. Chloe reports she is doing very well in
this role.
Another candidate who was interviewed but not placed initially has also secured a suitable
role working two days a week in the office and after hours for SACARE every second
weekend.
Chloe says of the results achieved to date by working with the NDRC “Overall have been a
good outcome.”
SACARE and the NDRC recently co-hosted an information session and morning tea at the
organisation’s head office in Broadview, South Australia. “It is always good to get our
message out there and start fresh relationships with DES teams,” Chloe says.
A number of DES consultants were quick to follow up and have already approached SACARE
and secured interviews for their candidates. The NDRC looks forward to sharing news of
their progress in the future.
For more information visit the SACARE website (www.sacare.com.au).
Welcome new NDRC partners
When it comes to building Australian businesses' disability confidence, the NDRC team
firmly believes the more the merrier!
If you would like to join our growing list of partners and ensure you are accessing the
broader talent pool that people with disability represents, mailto:jobs.ndrc@workfocus.com
or call JobAccess on 1800 464 800.
Employer in the spotlight
THE TOWN OF PORT HEDLAND
In the spotlight this month is the Town of Port Hedland, which partnered with the NDRC in
October 2013.
Port Hedland is a town of over 20,000 people located in the Pilbara Region of Western
Australia, north of Perth. The original inhabitants, the Karriyarra people, call the place
Marapikurrinya for the hand shaped formation of the tidal creeks coming off the natural
harbour.
The Town of Port Hedland strives to provide leadership for the community by encouraging
and promoting the inclusion and participation of people with disability.
The Disability Access and Inclusion Plan (DAIP) 2013 – 2017 sets out the Town of Port
Hedland’s commitment to creating a community that welcomes and includes people of all
abilities, ensuring that people with disability can access services, facilities, buildings and
information. The DAIP outlines ways in which the Town will work towards addressing
barriers to access and inclusion for people with disability over the next five years.
After a review of the DAIP, the Town elected to include an outcome around increasing the
employment of people with disability.
Given the remote location, attracting good candidates has its challenges. As there are no
local Disability Employment Services, the Town of Port Hedland has been keen to use the
NDRC to promote employment opportunities to source candidates with disability more
broadly across Western Australia.
With quality infrastructure and a range of community and recreational facilities and
services, the Town of Port Hedland is well placed to provide people with disability with
employment opportunities and the NDRC is happy to help it every step of the way.
Register an event
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITY
International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD) is held on 3 December each year. It is a United
Nations sanctioned day that celebrates progress in breaking down barriers, opening doors, and
realising an inclusive society for all.
Disability organisations, businesses, governments and the community come together at
events across the country to mark the occasion and celebrate the achievements of people
with disability.
Holding an IDPwD event is a really wonderful way to raise awareness of disability internally
or showcase your company’s commitment more publicly. Should you wish to share what
your plans are or find out more, visit the International Day of People with Disability website
(www.idpwd.com.au/3-december)
If you do this by Tuesday 18 November 2014 you can also source free IDPwD merchandise
to enhance your celebrations even further.
Stand up for mental health in Sydney!
WISE EMPLOYMENT BRINGS STAND UP FOR MENTAL HEALTH TO SYDNEY
Earlier this year, the NDRC shared news about an inaugural comedy event in Melbourne. This
event was brought to Australia by WISE employment, a not-for-profit organisation helping the
most disadvantaged in our community to find meaningful employment.
A night of raw humour and witty one-liners, this event was booked out and the stellar
performances by 12 budding comedians received standing ovations for their stand-up
routines.
WISE is now bringing the show to the Sydney Town Hall 30 October 2014.
For further information please email WISE employment
mailto:standup@wiseemployment.com.au or phone Steve Bedwell or Rheannon Pinder on
03 8329 8800.