Geraldton businesses stepping up to provide employment for people with disabilities

Employment is a significant part of life for all of us, regardless of how able-bodied we are. It pays the bills, provides security, routine, friendship and can boost self-esteem, while also helping us feel like productive members of society. Although successful employment can be challenging for those with a disability, small businesses in Geraldton are stepping up to the plate to make the process a little smoother. Many people with disability want a job but may not have the confidence to apply for one, or to strive in a work environment. This was the situation for 18-year-old Lucy Collier before she was hired at Soul Food Cafe and Teahouse. Miss Collier was hired when the cafe was established, and she has since developed into a capable staff member. “I honestly cannot see myself anywhere else, and I cannot begin to express how much (cafe owner) Pia (Richardson) and her husband Scott mean to me,” Miss Collier said. “I cannot thank them enough for how patient they’ve been with me.” Diagnosed with neurofibromatosis NF1 and autism, Miss Collier said her conditions affected how she performed everyday tasks. She said her genetic disorder formed tumours that grew on lumps of pigmented skin called cafe au lait spots. There’s one tumour behind Miss Collier’s eye monitored every three months. She said having to travel to Perth for an MRI took a toll and made employment difficult. “They look like birthmarks but they’re not. They cover your entire body and impact me slightly neurologically,” she said. Miss Collier said she sometimes struggled in a fast-paced work environment, and other employees found it difficult to work alongside her. Ms Richardson said since hiring Miss Collier, the teen’s confidence had flourished and any challenges that arose were easily navigated. Ms Richardson currently employs five people with disability at her cafe. “I’ve always wanted to have an inclusive workplace and it just so happened I had the opportunity to put my money where my mouth is,” she said. “One of the challenges is finding something that people with disability are really good at, because there’s no point shoving someone into a circle if they’re square.” After dealing with her own past struggles, Ms Richardson said she had heart for the underdog. “I just want life to be inclusive for everyone and I know it’s not like that in the real world,” she said. But Ms Richardson said she wouldn’t be able to offer these employment opportunities if it wasn’t for the disability support programs around the Mid West. Another hard worker, Sam Harris, 24, who was diagnosed with autism when he was three years old and — like most people with autism — is dependent on his routine being the same. His mother Clara Harris said he volunteered for various small businesses in Geraldton with support from staff at Midwest Community Living Association. “There’s a few wonderful small businesses in Geraldton that Sam visits each week. He’s always got a support person with him, so he has a routine,” she said. On Wednesdays, Mr Harris goes to Beached Barrel and Piper Lane to collect business cups and takeaway containers. He neatly labels the products at Pollinators CityHive and delivers them for store use. He has also volunteered for Go Health, Tiny Giant and other various businesses. But Mrs Harris said her son was an exception to most people’s experience with disability, and believed there were very few employment opportunities for disabled people in regional WA. “He’s not employed by anyone, he doesn’t get paid, he volunteers his services to small businesses and in return he gets to be with people in the community and keeps busy with his routine,” she said. Most people would consider Mr Harris to be non-verbal, although his mother said he communicates in different ways. “Just because you don’t speak doesn’t mean you have nothing say,” she said. Employment Disability Service APM state manager Marina Chalmers said the goal at APM was to match someone with disability with a suitable employer for a long-term fit. “We support the person to identify what their skillset is to ensure it is a good fit for everyone involved,” she said. “We support the employee and the business for up to a year.” Ms Chalmers said she believed there needed to be more businesses who supported people with disability. “There could always be more (businesses), but we have some fantastic employers here who are eager to take people on,” she said.