PEOPLE WITH DISABILITY — EMPLOYMENT
153. Ms M.M. QUIRK to the Minister for Disability Services:
I refer to the McGowan Labor
government's commitment to creating employment opportunities for people
with disability in Western Australia. Can the minister update the house on how
the McGowan Labor government is supporting jobs, accessibility and inclusion
for people with disability across the state?
Mr D.T.
PUNCH replied:
I certainly can. I thank the member
for that question and for her passion in pursuing inclusivity for her
community. In fact, as soon as I became minister, I was receiving
representations from the member on many matters affecting her community, so I thank
her very much.
Jobs for people with disability are
at the forefront of this government's approach to increasing
inclusivity, and are a priority for me as the new Minister for Disability Services.
One example of our inclusive approach to maximise employment for people with disability is the state's partnership
with Valued Lives, a peer-led organisation providing support to people to develop micro-enterprises.
Valued Lives started its micro-enterprise hub project in March 2019, providing support to people with disability to
pursue their really important goals of social and economic participation
through the provision of welcoming spaces
across the metropolitan region. Under the project, people with disability can
access support to develop and operate small businesses in the community.
Funding was then provided by the state
government to expand and grow the project to meet high demand, with referrals
coming from local coordinators, planners and schools, and requests from
young people leaving school and seeking to gain employment through the
development of their own micro-enterprise. In September 2020, the Western Australian
government allocated $500 000 to support people with disability to achieve
their employment goals through group-based peer support. This includes support
to access mainstream employment and develop individual employment enterprises.
This commitment is making a real
difference to people on the ground. For example, 18-year-old Ethyn Amat, who
lives in the south west, has been able to expand his art business through the
program. He creates pieces inspired by an array of different ideas, including
his Indigenous heritage. Ethyn is non-verbal and found himself connecting with
people through colours. Eventually, after creating a number of very impressive
art pieces, a family friend suggested Ethyn sell his artwork, and thus the
Ethyn Extra-Ordinary Art online page was born and continues today.
So far, Valued Lives has supported
more than 100 people to begin their journey towards sustainable employment. As
part of our election commitments, the McGowan government recently announced a further
$500 000 to boost micro-enterprise opportunities for a further hundred people
with disability to establish new businesses through start-up grants, mentoring
and support. We are proud to partner with community organisations to empower
and deliver opportunities for Western Australian people with disability.