Supporting jobs for people with disability.

Media Release.

The Federal Government has moved to build on Labor's historic reforms for people with disability by supporting them to find and keep jobs through a $640,000 package of new employment partnerships with disability advocates.

Employment Participation Minister Kate Ellis said 15 disability consumer groups would receive Federal Government funding to better link people with disability to work.

"DisabilityCare Australia was passed in law as the Medicare of this generation and launched on 1 July in four locations across the country," Ms Ellis said.

"With record investment, Australians with disability will finally get the specialist disability support they need to lead productive and fulfilling lives."

"But it's not just about delivering specialist support services - an important part of achieving this objective is finding suitable employment opportunities."

"As part of this announcement, I renew my call for industry around the country to recognise the value in employing people with disability - it's smart for business."

"If you overlook someone with a disability, you are shutting out some of the most committed and talented employees you will ever cross across."

Ms Ellis said Australia already had a world-class Disability Employment sector.

"The Labor Government is now taking these services to the next level by providing advocates with the funding they need to help the Government link DisabilityCare with Disability Employment Services," she said.

"DisabilityCare will provide the specialist disability supports people need and we want to make sure we build on this support through our employment services so that people's full capacity and potential is realised in the labour market."

"The disability consumer groups will receive $41,000 each and cover physical, intellectual, mental health, sensory, autism, brain injury and multiple disabilities."

"The groups have expressed interest in engaging more with government to increase disability employment participation by knocking down some of the barriers that stop their clients from gaining employment."

"The funding will help communication and consultation with key consumer groups on disability employment issues."

"It will be administered by the National Employment Services Association and lift consumer engagement and knowledge of the DES program."

"It will also facilitate consumer advice to government about service needs and ways to improve future disability employment services."

Ms Ellis said one of the Government's most important employment reforms was abolishing the caps and quotas from the disability employment system that existed under the Coalition.

"As a result, job seekers are benefiting from a 50 per cent increase in the number of employment service sites across the country, bringing the total number to over 1,650," she said.

"There has been nearly a 50 per cent increase in the number of people receiving employment support services, and job placements have doubled (total 160,000 jobs) under the Labor Government's system."

Disability consumer groups receiving funding ($41,000 each)

Physical Disability Australia
National Ethnic Disability Alliance
Deaf Australia
Australian Federation of Disability Organisations
Blind Citizens Australia
National Council on Intellectual Disability
Mental Health Council of Australia Disability Advocacy Network Australia
People with Disability Australia Inc
First Peoples Disability Network
Brain Injury Australia
Women with Disabilities Australia Australians for Disability and Diversity Employment Inc Australian Advisory Board on Autism Spectrum Disorders Ltd
Deafness Forum