Diversity is intent. Inclusion is action.

Edge’s Intent to Action research report highlighted that less than 25% of employers are actively looking to recruit people with disabilities. This research, gathered late last year, came about after Edge partnered with the Department of Communities and Core Data. The aim of the research was to explore the challenges faced by employers in recruiting and integrating people with disabilities into their workforces.

We shared some of this research at Curtin’s HR Disrupted event on 10 June 2021; the third in a series focused on reimagining and disrupting HR activities and thinking.

Maria Lloyd-Jones, Edge’s Chief Operating Officer (pictured right) said, “Many of us know someone with a disability. It could be physical, or intellectual, so we can all be contributing to this conversation. We also know there are tangible benefits that diverse workforces can bring. Diversity is the intent and inclusion is the action. And Curtin’s HR Disrupted event gave Edge a voice at the podium to share this message.”

We also shared that 46.6% of working-age Australians, living with disabilities, are not active in the labour force. This represents a large proportion of the population who are missing out on the opportunity to have access to meaningful work.

So, although we know that employers have good intentions, and are actively seeking to be more equitable in their employment of people from various minority groups in our society, disability inclusion continues to lag.

And we know why. Employers’ actions are hampered by real, or perceived, limitations specific to disability employment. More often than not, they just don’t know where to start. That’s why Edge exists: to help businesses on their journey to create their own disability inclusion success story.

If you want a copy of Edge’s Intent to Action research report, or to talk to us about how we can help, please contact us.