Start-Up Offering Telework for People With Disability

A Canberra start-up is enabling employers to tap into a large talent pool of Australians living with a disability using telework technology to remove barriers.

Enabled Employment is privately funded and says it is already sourcing employees for clients including the Department of Health, the ACT Department of Health, and Disability ACT, Veritec and Aspen Medical.

“We have many highly qualified people with disabilities who want to work online and from home,” founder and Chief Executive Officer, Jessica May said.

“We use technology to match people with disabilities with employers seeking skilled workers or professional services.”

The idea came from May’s own experiences as a worker with a disability.

In 2011, May suffered with anxiety after the birth of her first child and was diagnosed with panic disorder. She wanted to return to her full-time job, but says she was terrified of going into the workplace.

“I knew that working would help my anxiety, but despite being highly commended and a skilled worker, I could not find work which I could do from home,” May said.

She said most people with disability have sought-after skills and experience but face barriers that stop them working in a conventional workplace. These barriers can be both physical, and social.

“Our one-stop-shop lets them browse for jobs they can do remotely by telework and covers everything from early job hunting to getting paid,” she said.

“Australia has among the lowest disability employment participation rates in the OECD and we intend to change that.

“The Enabled Employment started under the Griffin Accelerator Program in July and has already received widespread support.”