Part 1 of 4: Do recent policy changes to Disability Employment Services in Australia meet needs of people with a significant, recently acquired disability? By Gillean M Hilton
Over the last decade in Australia there has been an evolution of local political and social movement forces combined with universal human rights that have seen several changes in the way that ‘employment services’ are delivered to and accessed by, people with a disability. Vocational rehabilitation (a provision of employment services) have most recently been delivered under the federal government’s Department of Employment, Education and Workplace Relations and largely driven by the Disability Discrimination Act of 1992. From the institutional perspective of a sub acute inpatient rehabilitation provider, supporting individuals to reintegrate into their communities, including a return to meaningful employment, following a severe traumatic injury resulting in permanent disability is a significant task. This paper will explore whether the recent policy changes will in fact meet the needs of people with a significant acquired disability in returning to or commencing in the workforce.
As a stakeholder in the policy cycle, sub acute inpatient rehabilitation facilities aim to optimize function in their patients and arm them with the knowledge and know how required to navigate the maze of disability resources and services in the community. For individuals who have experienced significant trauma with resulting permanent disability such as cognitive or physical impairment, navigating that maze can be near impossible. Becoming a worker or returning to employment, is also an aim of rehabilitation, as we continue to understand the importance of work in the adjustment process post significant disability and the resultant improved health outcomes.
It is well recognised in the literature that predictors of a successful return to employment following a spinal cord injury (and other acquired disability) are things like pre injury higher level of education, pre injury job requiring high level skills, strong social support network, and a supportive pre injury employer (Murphy, 2009). Inpatient rehabilitation services and Disability Employment Services (particularly vocational rehabilitation providers) must continue to develop and deliver programs that support individuals to increase their skills, strengthen support networks and maintain or build relationships with employers. (Read Part 2 of 4 next week)
