Australian Employers Network on Disability

On Friday 1st December 2006 the Australian Employers Network on Disability hosted a breakfast event in the magnificent Four Seasons Hotel Grand Ballroom, to celebrate International Day of People with Disability.

Julie McCrossin provided hilarious comic relief and encouraged audience participation at a time of the morning when most people are still rubbing their eyes in confusion.  Julie’s warm, generous and ultimately cheeky personality really set the tone for the day, and generated a positive and enthusiastic response throughout the entire morning.  The event was also completely accessible for people with disabilities, including “live-captioning” which was displayed on big screens, an Auslan interpreter, a hearing loop and a wheelchair accessible ramp onto the stage.

As the theme of the 2006 International Day of People with Disability was “E-Accessibility”, our event was focused on “Technology Empowering Human Potential” and how Assistive Technology can help level the playing field for people with disability.

The event included presentations from David Davies, Chair of the Australian Employers Network on Disability and senior partner at Sparke Helmore Lawyers, and Graeme Innes, the Human Rights Commissioner and Commissioner Responsible for Disability Discrimination, who discussed their experiences around the employment of people with disability, and also their involvement with the Network. 

The Keynote speaker was Glen Boreham, CEO of IBM Australia & New Zealand, who gave an inspiring and dynamic presentation, focusing on both the business case and the moral imperatives for the employment of people with disability. 

Glen spoke of his own experiences with a temporary disability, and how it gave him a new appreciation of the barriers and difficulties faced by people with disability in terms of their jobs, lifestyles and sense of self. 

Glen also spoke about some amazing examples of technology that can significantly enhance the quality of life for people with disability.

Throughout the morning Julie McCrossin interviewed several people with disabilities about the types of technology they use to get through their work days.  Julie also spoke with representatives from Quantum Technology and TASC who each had various types of Assistive Technology on display for the audience to experience. 

The event was closed by Suzanne Colbert, CEO of the Australian Employers Network on Disability, who reminded the audience that while both Government and people with disability have a part to play, it is really only businesses that can effectively bring about real change in the advancement of employment for people with disability.

DOWNLOAD TRANSCRIPT OF EVENT