Jobs and Disability

"I can't get a job stacking shelves, I can't get a job behind a bar, I can't see over the bar!" – Prue Hawkins Lawyer Prue Hawkins was recently preparing for a job interview. A few days before the appointment, she visited the office building. But there was a problem. The disabled lift was out of action. It’s not an unusual experience for Prue. Despite years of working in Family Law, she’s been unemployed since February. And she says she’d take any job – but it’s not always possible. "I can’t get a job stacking shelves, I can’t get a job behind a bar – I can’t even see over the bar!" she says. Despite this, Prue doesn’t qualify for the Disability Support Pension, and is therefore struggling on the less generous Newstart Allowance. This week Insight looks at whether more people with disabilities should be working – and what’s standing in the way. The discussion comes as the Federal Government reviews the disability pension. Social Services Minister Kevin Andrews says the current system gives pension recipients no incentive to work. "There are a lot of people who are disabled who have capacity, who have ability, and with the right sort of approach we could actually encourage them to be in the workforce," Andrews said. So what are the hurdles? Practicalities? Attitudes of employers? Or the attitudes of the job seekers themselves?