Employment

Open employment means you find a job on your own and complete and maintain the job without support. You may be able to access support to create a CV or find a job with support with the support then gradually reduced.

Supported employment is much the same as open employment however you may have increased support to find and apply for jobs and have a support worker assist you to get there or you may have support workers assisting you to physically do your job with additional supervision support if you need it.

Community Inclusion can range from accessing day centres to learning valuable life skills, finding new hobbies and making new friends. These types of programs have previously come under the Alternative to Employment (ATE) funding, with the introduction of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), terminology and funding has changed however similar services continue to be available. There are various places that offer Community Inclusion services and they often have excursions to different places as well as yearly events like balls and fundraisers.

Community Inclusion services support people with disabilities who are unable to maintain 20 hours or more per week of supported employment. Programs range from one on one support to group settings.

To learn more:

Employment options for people with disabilities including Disability Employment Services and Australian Disability Enterprises, visit the Australian Government Department of Social Services or the Department of Human Services website:

Online: https://www.dss.gov.au

Online: https://www.humanservices.gov.au

Community Inclusion options and current Alternatives to Employment (ATE) visit the Western Australian Department of Education website:

Online: http://det.wa.edu.au