Creating Meaningful Work and Inclusive Workplaces for People with Disability

This event will discuss socially responsible work and how employment practices can become more inclusive. The aim is to support employers with the skills and knowledge required to increase employment opportunities for people with disability.

New research has examined the practices that create meaningful work and inclusive workplaces for people with disability. It was conducted using a co-design approach to centre the voices of people with disability with the findings revealing the cultural and practical changes that need to occur if we want to improve employment equity and inclusion.

A panel of stakeholders will discuss the research findings that aim to support Queensland increase employment opportunities and meaningful work for people with disability. This event aligns with the UN’s 8th Sustainable Development Goal: Promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment, and decent work for all.

This research was undertaken by QUT’s Centre for Decent Work and Industry with funding from The Social Enterprise Research Grants program. The Social Enterprise Research Grants program is proudly supported by the Queensland Government.

We welcome people to attend this event in person, a light breakfast will be provided. Over breakfast there will be an opportunity to connect with peers and colleagues.

For those who are outside Brisbane or unable to attend in person a virtual option is available.

Panellists

• Steve Koch is Deputy Director-General at Department of Employment, Small Business and Training, he has 20 years’ experience in designing and delivering economic development programs and initiatives for government, and is passionate about the economic and social outcomes that these initiatives deliver, particularly the life-changing impact for individuals.
• Dr Gary Allen is the Co-Founder and Emeritus Advisor at Enabled.vip, a charitable, award-winning and national capacity-building platform to assist Australians with disability to establish a business.
• Adele Laughton is the Chief Executive Officer of the Queensland Social Enterprise Council. Adele is an experienced leader with a demonstrated history spanning the social enterprise, not-for-profit and agriculture sectors. Adele brings a unique blend of strategic vision and hands-on leadership to drive strategy development, revenue diversification and sustainability frameworks.
• Ryan Salzke is currently the CEO of Vanguard Laundry, a work integrated social enterprise he helped establish in 2016. He is a social impact leader dedicated to reducing employment barriers for the disadvantaged.