UNSW: The University of New South Wales - Sydney Australia - News - Work and disability: discrimination continues

20 October 2005

Australian workplaces continue to be discriminatory and inflexible environments for people with disabilities according to new research from the University of New South Wales (UNSW).

Findings released today from a study of new recipients of the Disability Support Pension (DSP) by UNSW's Social Policy Research Centre (SPRC) show that while most participants want to work, few workplaces are willing to provide the flexibility they require.

"DSP recipients also reported being discriminated against by employers and being constantly denied opportunities," says Dr Alan Morris, from the University's SPRC and lead author of the study. "The chance of a disability support pension claimant finding employment is very low."

The study also examined social and community participation. It revealed that many participants were socially isolated. They generally do not have the finances to socialise or engage with the community.

The sense of being stigmatised was also important, especially for younger people. "Several participants said they avoided community activity because of this perception and yet not being socially involved undermined their self-esteem and sense of identity," says Dr Morris.

OTHER KEY FINDINGS:
Social/Community Participation

Older participants were more likely to be involved in the community
Volunteer work gave participants a sense of purpose and social interaction

Information and support

Many participants felt that the information they received from Centrelink was not helpful.
Only 2 of the 21 participants had been offered counselling when they went on the DSP
Several participants expressed relief at moving from Newstart to the DSP as they were no longer obligated to seek employment

Education & Training

Almost all the participants found the idea of study too daunting mainly due to the expectations and rigidity of deadlines for assessment
Flexibility was a key requirement for participating in education and training programs

Researchers conducted six focus groups to examine DSP recipients' motivation and experiences of work, education and social participation, barriers to participation and perceptions of the support offered. The groups involved men and women, in age groups from 16-24 to 55-64, with a range of physical and psychological disabilities. The Commonwealth Department of Family and Community Services commissioned the research.

For a full copy of the report and to arrange interviews contact:
Alex Clark, Media Office 02 9385 3263/0405 237 553 alex.clark@unsw.edu.au

Date issued: 13 October 2005

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	MEDIA, NEWS & EVENTS Work and disability: discrimination continues 20 October 2005 Australian workplaces continue to be discriminatory and inflexible environments for people with disabilities according to new research from the University of New South Wales (UNSW). Findings released today from a study of new recipients of the Disability Support Pension (DSP) by UNSW's Social Policy Research Centre (SPRC) show that while most participants want to work, few workplaces are willing to provide the flexibility they require. "DSP recipients also reported being discriminated against by employers and being constantly denied opportunities," says Dr Alan Morris, from the University's SPRC and lead author of the study. "The chance of a disability support pension claimant finding employment is very low." The study also examined social and community participation. It revealed that many participants were socially isolated. They generally do not have the finances to socialise or engage with the community. The sense of being stigmatised was also important, especially for younger people. "Several participants said they avoided community activity because of this perception and yet not being socially involved undermined their self-esteem and sense of identity," says Dr Morris. OTHER KEY FINDINGS: Social/Community Participation Older participants were more likely to be involved in the community Volunteer work gave participants a sense of purpose and social interaction Information and support Many participants felt that the information they received from Centrelink was not helpful. Only 2 of the 21 participants had been offered counselling when they went on the DSP Several participants expressed relief at moving from Newstart to the DSP as they were no longer obligated to seek employment Education & Training Almost all the participants found the idea of study too daunting mainly due to the expectations and rigidity of deadlines for assessment Flexibility was a key requirement for participating in education and training programs Researchers conducted six focus groups to examine DSP recipients' motivation and experiences of work, education and social participation, barriers to participation and perceptions of the support offered. The groups involved men and women, in age groups from 16-24 to 55-64, with a range of physical and psychological disabilities. The Commonwealth Department of Family and Community Services commissioned the research. For a full copy of the report and to arrange interviews contact: Alex Clark, Media Office 02 9385 3263/0405 237 553 alex.clark@unsw.edu.au Date issued: 13 October 2005
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Work and disability: discrimination continues