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It's what you can do that counts – Northside Chronicle
It's what you can do that counts
Ability is more important than disability and attitude is everything when it comes to work.
A new employee at a Hamilton restaurant exemplifies this with her job skills and positive attitude.
Natasha Attard was born without a left hand, but that is proving no obstacle in her work as a waitress at Sea Grill in Hamilton.
Sarina Russo Job Access helped her obtain the job, with national disability manager Diana Yates stressing that skills should be the primary reason for employing a person.
Mrs Yates said as the economy recovered, jobseekers with disabilities were perfectly positioned to market their skills to employers.
"Many businesses now realise people with a disability are a valuable source of labour who can make a positive contribution," she said.
"The secret to successful job placement lies in looking at the individual's ability, not their disability."
From Ms Attard's point of view, she now has a job she loves.
"It is the first job I've had in a such a long while," she said. "It is so much better than sitting around at home being bored."
When finding employment for people with disabilities, Sarina Russo Job Access has a plan.
- Identify skills and abilities.
- Assess potential impact of the disability on the job or their industry of choice.
- Research appropriate adaptive technology, workforce modifications or training needs of the jobseeker.
- Prepare the jobseeker for marketing – suitable resume, interview skills, information.
- Provide appropriate postplacement support.
