We often talk about inclusivity in the workplace as the ‘right thing to do’, and, of course, it is – but what is not as often talked about is that employing people with disability is also a powerful driver of innovation.
Proactively hiring people with disability goes beyond simply embracing diversity. It’s about bringing in new perspectives and problem-solving techniques as well as tapping into new ways of thinking that can be your competitive advantage.
So, let’s change the conversation and talk about inclusive employment not as a diversity target but as a strategic opportunity. As it stands, some $50 billion could be added to Australia’s gross domestic product if we were to move into the top 8 Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries for hiring people with disability.
And even closer to home, it could bring a wealth of benefits to your business.
Breaking down barriers will benefit us all
Australia has around 5.5 million people living with disability. That’s more than one in five Australians, and yet, people with disability remain one of the most underutilised talent pools in our labour force. VERTO’s Disability Employment Services team has the privilege of partnering with a fantastic array of talented and keen job seekers every day, making it hard to understand why barriers persist. Yet they do.
One of the most common ones we hear is about the need for extensive modifications to the workplace. Many disabilities will not require modifications; some may require new software or accessible hardware. There are government subsidies and supports to help your business with these types of costs where required. Regardless, the benefits may far outweigh any expenditure.
Innovation stems from inclusion
Every team member in your business brings different life experiences. For people with disability, this lived experience can translate to adaptability, creativity and problem-solving, often stemming from constantly navigating environments that weren’t designed with them in mind. This might be about physical landscapes or social and structural ones. Either way, it leads to incredible agility and an ability to think differently and overcome challenges others may find insurmountable.
It may lead to better customer relationships, too. Businesses that embrace diversity can better understand their customers and ultimately deliver for them. Your customers aren’t all the same, so it makes sense to have a variety of perspectives to better align with them.
An inclusive workforce can help you design products, services and customer experiences that are accessible to and connect with a much wider audience. In fact, many of the innovations we enjoy today started with an accessibility goal. From automatic doors to voice-activated technology and audiobooks, considerable innovation has come from a focus on inclusivity.
Inclusivity is key to happier employees
And there are cultural benefits, too. Inclusive workplaces tend to have more loyalty, fewer absences, less staff turnover and greater employee satisfaction because team members see their employer living up to their values. And this matters. A 2024 review of the values of the ASX100 by Griffith University found that ‘When what is espoused is also enacted, there is likely to be employee engagement and in turn the business will realise rewards’.
Inclusivity is also a key contributor to psychosocial safety – something all employers should want to create and is required under Australian work health and safety laws.
An inclusive culture also contributes to a stronger employer brand, helping you attract the best talent. This is even more critical for the younger generations in our workforce, where values alignment, purpose and meaningful work are more prevalent career drivers.
And, of course, attracting the best talent and keeping them engaged will increase innovation, too, so you come full circle.
The bottom line is that hiring people with disability isn’t just about social good. It’s about unlocking business opportunities. When you break down barriers and remove limitations from your hiring, you widen your talent pool, introduce new perspectives, accelerate opportunities for innovation and increase employee satisfaction and engagement. That’s not just an inclusive workplace; that’s one that’s ready for the future.
Interested in how you can accelerate inclusive hiring in your organisation? Reach out to the Disability Employment Services team at VERTO.
