It's all about accessibility

Connections were made and inspiration shared at the recent Supporting Disability in the Workplace event hosted by WITT Te Pūkenga as part of Disability Awareness Week.

Employers, teachers and guests heard from a variety of providers who support disabled people into work and at work including Taranaki Disability Information Centre, Workwise, WorkBridge, MSD, Chamber Hub and WITT’s Accessibility Coordinator David Lloyd. David shared the initiatives in place at WITT to support disabled ākonga achieve their tertiary education goals.

“As Taranaki's largest tertiary provider, our primary role is to prepare people for employment. We are committed to equipping our students, including disabled ākonga, with the necessary skills and support they need to succeed in the workplace,” he says.

The kaupapa of the event was to connect, raise awareness and overcome misconceptions related to hiring people with disabilities, promote employer services and support available for creating accessible workplaces. 

Janine Mace from Workbridge says: “It was probably one of the best events I have attended as it gave everyone a chance to speak to stakeholders, employers and other support organisations and it’s not very often you get people from all of these sectors attending the same function.”

Emceed by New Plymouth District Councillor Sam Bennett, who also represented the NPDC Age and Accessibility Working Party, the evening was supported by the Chamber Hub and MSD and was an opportunity to raise awareness about the various services and support that employers can access to ensure inclusivity and support for disabled individuals in their organisations.

“Each speaker brought a unique perspective and valuable insights into the importance of inclusivity and support for disabled individuals in the workforce,” says WITT Te Pūkenga a Workbased Learning Lead Katrina Mayo.