Disability not a disadvantage in the workplace

Disability not a disadvantage in the workplace Disability not a disadvantage in the workplacePosted October 13, 2011, by Andrea Riddell When looking to fill vacant positions, businesses want to hire the best possible candidate. Often this means that people with disability are overlooked in favour of those who may appear to be more fit and able. Stereotypical but erroneous beliefs can mean employers miss out on a valuable pool of resources and experience especially when you consider that one in five Australians has a disability. Basic assumptions are made often unconsciously about what a person with disability can or cannot do. However, research has shown that there is little difference in the productivity between people with disability and those without. The benefits There are many benefits in choosing to hire people with disability. The Australian Network on Disability (AND), an organisation that promotes the inclusion of people with disability in all aspects of business, encoura ges employers to tap in to the diverse range of skills, experiences and abilities of people with disability to gain new perspectives. Organisations that understand the impact of disability on their customers will reach a wider market. Businesses that fail to make their products and services accessible to people with disability, or dont build their expertise in welcoming customers with disability, risk missing out on a great deal of business, says AND spokesperson Rachel Butler. Hiring people with disability also helps businesses to embrace their corporate social responsibility (CSR), promote a diverse workplace and raise team morale. Safeway in Rosebud West, Victoria, is one of the many businesses leading by example and hiring people with disability through Disability WORKS Australia (DWA), an organisation that helps to find placements for people with disability. Assistant store manager Simone Blake says, We wanted to help someone with a disability in our local community. Emplo ying somebody with a disability gives the whole team a lift and helps to positively change the store culture. Apart from enhancing the reputation and brand of the business, employing people with disability can also have long-term fiscal benefits. According to a Safe Work Australia study, workers with disability have lower rates of absenteeism, a lower number of workplace injury and, as a result, lower workers compensation costs than people without disability. AND has also stated that people with disability tend to stay loyal and committed to their employer and show higher retention rates than employees without disability. Increased tenure reduces the costs of training and integrating new staff into the business. By accommodating people with disability organisations are gaining loyal and committed employees who will beistand them in achieving their business objectives, says Butler. Its easier than you think Common misconceptions are the biggest barrier that people with disability battle in attempting to gain employment. Employers often believe that the costs associated with hiring people with disability are high. More often than not only simple adjustments are required to make the business disability-friendly. Many adjustments are cost-neutral while research has identified that where costs are incurred, around 80 per cent of those adjustments are under $500, says Butler. Research has even shown that many employers believe the benefits of hiring people with disability outweigh any associated costs. In some cases no adjustments need to be made at all. Disability can come in all shapes and forms and while some disabilities may be obvious to the naked eye, many others are more discreet. Another method of creating opportunities for people with disability includes job splitting or carving. This involves breaking off certain tasks from other positions that are hard to fill to create new roles for people with disability. Holden Hill Police Station, South Aus tralia, turned to DWA when they couldnt find a permanent employee with transcript typing skills willing to perform the repetitive tasks of the position. Administration manager Doris Andrew hired Sonja Veitinger, who was referred to her by DWA. Veitingers vision impairment meant that she could not fill the administration role so Andrew split the task of transcript typing from the general role and employed Veitinger on a part-time basis. By being creative with the role were getting retention in this job, providing a solution to one area of skill shortage and proving to be more cost-effective, says Andrew. Veitinger required computer program JAWS and a dual headplatzset to transcribe the police tapes and the police station conducted an assessment of the workplace to identify and make any adjustments. By investing in the right person you will reap the benefits. There is room in generic jobs to carve duties and provide opportunities for people with a disability as well as assisting b usinesses with areas of skill shortages, says Andrew. Recruiting There are many organisations dedicated to helping employers recruit people with disability. These organisations can help you to make any necessary adjustments to the workplace and can provide ongoing support. The Australian Network on Disability (AND) is a not-for-profit organisation that promotes the employment of people with disability. AND works with employers to help them become disability confident and engage with people with disability as stakeholders, employees and customers. Disability WORKS Australia (DWA) is a national body that facilitates the provision of employment for people with disability. DWA is a point of contact for employers looking to recruit people with disability. You can alert them of any job vacancies you have and they will match the position to an appropriate worker with disability. With long-term benefits not only to the business but also to society and the economy, hiring people with d isability is an investment in the future. ResourcesMy first resumeCover letter for my first jobCareer Insider StoriesShelley Lask - Body Positive Health & FitnessInterested in becoming a?menschengerecht Resources OfficerGeneral ManagerBusiness ManagerAccountantOffice AdministratorPopular Career Searcheshow to handle workplace bullyinghow to deal with workplace bullyinghow to deal with bullying in the workplaceworkplace etiquette tipshow to become a disability support worker in australia CoursesBachelor of Social WorkEnquire Online Enquire OnlineCertificate III in Health AdministrationEnquire Online Enquire OnlineBachelor of Criminal JusticeEnquire Online Enquire OnlineCertificate III in Allied Health AssistanceEnquire Online Enquire OnlineAndrea RiddellRelated ArticlesBrowse moreLawLaw career fact sheetConsidering a career in law? 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Jobs for English Majors

Jobs for English MajorsJobs for English MajorsIf you majored in English in college, are currently studying it now, or have talked about this being your major in the future, no doubt someone has asked you the question what are you going to do with that? Dont let the skepticism get to you. Regardless of whether your concentration was, is, or will be, in literature or writing, there are many options available to you after graduation. English is a versatile major. Here are some of the career choices for which a bachelors degree in English can prepare you Writer or Editor Writers and editors create or evaluate written content for magazines, newspapers, online media, advertisements, television shows, plays, and movies. Your college coursework, especially if your focus is on writing, can prepare you for a career as a novelist, non-fiction author, advertising copywriter, website content provider, blogger, technical writer, screenwriter, or playwright. You may choose instead to become a new spaper or magazine editor, online editor, or book editor. Median Annual Salary (2017)$61,820 Number of People Employed (2016)131,000 Projected Job Growth (2016-2026)8percent Projected Increase in Jobs (2016-2026)10,000 Librarian Librarians select and organize resources so that people can use them effectively. Traditionally they worked with printed materials, but over the years, librarians have become experts in electronic resources. To become one you will need a Masters Degree in Library Science (MLS). A bachelors degree in any subject, for example, English, is required for admission to graduate school. A concentration in literature is excellent preparation especially for public or school librarians, or academic librarians who want to specialize in this field of study. Median Annual Salary (2017)$58,520 Number of People Employed (2016)138,200 Projected Job Growth (2016-2026)9percent Projected Increase in Jobs (2016-2026)12,400 Attorney Attorneys advise and represent people who a re involved in civil and criminal legal proceedings. After careful analysis, research, and discussion with their clients, they present the facts about cases in writing or verbally. To be admitted to law school you will need a bachelors degree. It can be in any subject that will help enhance your writing, speaking, problem solving, research, and analytical skills. English is a suitable choice. Median Annual Salary (2017)$119,250 Number of People Employed (2016)792,500 Projected Job Growth (2016-2026)8percent Projected Increase in Jobs (2016-2026)65,000 Secondary School Teacher Teachers help students learn concepts in a variety of subjects. Generally, they need a bachelors degree in education. Since middle and high school teachers usually specialize in a discipline, for example, English/language arts, mathematics, social studies, science, or a world language, they may also need a degree in that subject. Get an English degree if you want to teach this discipline to secondary school s tudents. Median Annual Salary (2016)$57,720 (Middle School) $59,170 (High School) Number of People Employed (2016)630, 300 (Middle School) Over 1 Million (High School) Projected Job Growth (2016-2026)8 percent for both Middle and High School Teachers Projected Increase in Jobs (2016-2026)47,300 (Middle School) 76,800 (High School) Public Relations Specialist Public relations specialists represent companies, governments, organizations, and individuals to the public. They write press releases, communicate with the public through social media, and prepare for press conferences. Since there are no standard requirements, if you choose this career, you should major in a field of study, like English, that will teach you how to communicate effectively. Median Annual Salary (2016)$59,300 Number of People Employed (2016)259,600 Projected Job Growth (2016-2026)9percent Projected Increase in Jobs (2016-2026)22,900 Reporter Reporters work for television networks, radio stations, newspapers, and websites. They conduct interviews and investigations to gather information about stories. Some have their work published in newspapers or online. Others deliver their stories on the air during television or radio newscasts. Reporters also communicate with viewers, readers, and listeners on social media. Excellent writing and communication skills are essential. While many employers prefer reporters with a bachelors degree in journalism or mass communications, some will hire candidates who have studied English. Median Annual Salary (2016)$39,370 Number of People Employed (2016)44,700 Projected Job Growth (2016-2026)10percent decline Projected Increase in Jobs (2016-2026)-4,500 Advertising Sales Representative Advertising ausverkauf representatives sell space in print publications and time on television and radio broadcasts. Although majoring in English wont provide the sales training that will allow you to do your job- most employers provide that- it will give you the excellent verbal and written communication skills that can make you a great sales rep. Median Annual Salary (2016)$49,680 Number of People Employed (2016)149,900 Projected Job Growth (2016-2026)4percent decline Projected Increase in Jobs (2016-2026)-5,400 Marketing Manager Marketing managers develop companies marketing strategies. They identify markets, set prices, and determine how to reach potential customers. Although many employers prefer to hire candidates who have a degree in business, others value English majors communication skills. Median Annual Salary (2016)$132,230 Number of People Employed (2016)218,300 Projected Job Growth (2016-2026)10percent Projected Increase in Jobs (2016-2026)22,100