Bree Hunter is one of many potential employees across WA keen to demonstrate how her abilities outshine her disability as part of this year’s inaugural WorkABILITY Day.
The ambitious and determined Mandurah mother-of- two is a double leg amputee as the result of a car crash in 1991.
She will join many others across the state in showing the immense benefits those with disabilities, health conditions or injuries can bring to the workplace.
Disability employment specialists Forrest Personnel aim to raise awareness of the benefits of diverse workplaces by hosting the event, which involves a range of employers like Mandurah Head Shed offering participants such as Bree work for a day, in locations across the state.
Forrest Personnel employment consultants and partner agencies will support Bree where necessary.
“I really welcome the opportunity to highlight the importance of seeing past a person’s disability, health condition or injury,” Bree said.
“Just because you may have a disability, it doesn’t overshadow your abilities and what you have to offer.
“We face a stigma daily but it would be nice to change that.”
Workability Day aims to show employers that people with a range of health conditions can add value to their organisations, and to raise awareness of Forrest Personnel’s work in supporting organisations with the recruitment and employment process - which includes supporting clients in their employment, and creating potential employment opportunities.
“Diverse workplaces are better workplaces, and there is plenty of evidence supporting this,” Forrest Personnel CEO Anna Bagshaw said.
“With 1 in 5 Australians having some type of disability or health condition, we must recognise that our workplaces also represent our communities. We know participation in a workplace can be extremely positive both economically and socially; research shows it also makes good business sense.”
Forrest Personnel operate 16 offices and remote outreach services across the Gascoyne, Goldfields-Esperance, South West and the central metro area. In many towns, there are no other disability employment services available.