November Newsletter

Words from our CEO

George

Open Employment: A Vision for Inclusivity 

Open employment is a right we all cherish! It’s about having the freedom to choose work that aligns with our values and aspirations. In this segment, I’d like to share with you a hope and a vision. The vision is to live in a world that is inclusive and engaging for everyone, at the same time. The hope is for a society where they value and richness of inclusivity bring people with disabilities and everyone else together in a free and accepting community. 

For many years, the Australian employment system has failed to deliver open employment where individuals can choose work that genuinely interests them, and to understand and identify individual abilities and strengths, then matching them with suitable employment opportunities. Commonly, people are given a limited range of options, making it hard to connect with their tasks. The challenges stem from an imbalance of interest in certain areas and lack of interest in others. However, changes can be made to cultivate and generate interest in various fields. 

At Solution Ideas we believe the role of employment service delivery must evolve. We have developed a multi-stage approach to support you in finding the work that suits you best. First, we evaluate your needs and preferences to develop your profile. Next, we identify your skill gaps and create a strategy to assist you in finding the work you desire. Then, our educated staff provide training on necessary workplace skills and monitor your progress to ensure satisfaction and success. 

We also work with employers to educate them and help make workplace adjustments that enable you to perform at your best. The benefits for employers are significant; statistics show that employees with disabilities are more likely to stay with one company longer, take less time off, and are more punctual, providing great value for training and staff development. 

Let’s work together to build an inclusive society where everyone can thrive. Your journey, our dedication. 

Words from our Author

Sid

Hi everyone,

As promised, reporting in after my trip to India.

I will also be reflecting on Peer support. Networking and participating in peer groups.

Travel first!

On this recent trip to India, I was accompanied by a worker who is in many ways a peer with a similar point of view and common interests. Well, I can say I felt understood and engaged.  This made the experience positive and others perceived my behaviour as appropriate and regulated! 

My travel itinerary encompassed a variety of places. I am not going by chronology. The point of  the trip was for to me to understand the culture and people of India. I have gained a degree of insight into the blend of old and valuable that we need to look after as well as looking for solutions to the problems facing India. 

The best personal experience I had was in Agra. I’m trying to express in my words how the mahal made me feel. I’m working on finding the right words to describe the beauty of the whole ambient environment that to me represents the experience. I would like to go there again.  

I enjoyed the social chats with people everywhere. People are helpful and outgoing. I thought that interest in people and friendliness are attractive traits that Indians should maintain. an advantage that translates to dollars.  

I will never become used to the chaotic movement of people and vehicles on the road. But more about this another time.  

Travel and being employed to write about my experiences is part of living a full life. I am involved in several peer organisations for people with disability.  In addition to my work with Solution Ideas, I am part of the Diversity and Disability Alliance and I am involved in a leadership group run by Side by Side advocacy, a peer mentoring group at AGOSCI (The Australian Group Supporting Communication Inclusion), and Owning Our Stories. This last group is a multicultural online group.   

I am a new team member of Solutions Ideas. In the short time that I have been with Solutions Ideas I have experienced the positive energy that peer support and peer led groups bring out the best in me and make me feel valued as a person . This is a huge change from the way things were before – I often felt I was a sorry excuse for a person.

Words from our Author

Kay

Peer Support and S.I.C.C (SOLUTION IDEAS CALD CAFÉ)

Hi everyone it’s Kay here. Today I’ll be talking with you about what it’s like to be amongst peers, sharing stories and information, and also some of the challenges I’ve come across. I’ve always been a shy girl. Never spoke unless I was spoken to and always kept to myself. I had no confidence in myself and was always putting myself down because of my disability.

Throughout my school days it was hard to accept the fact that I had a disability. Me and my brother were the only students in the whole school to have a disability. We didn’t know of anyone who had a disability back then and we weren’t exposed to others in the disability field.

I joined a peer led organisation called Diversity and Disability Alliance in 2018. At first it was meet-and-greet with people sharing our stories, experiences and opinions about various topics. I was shy at first around my peers but being in their presence all the time I got comfortable being around them. Throughout the years we have become one big family.

I joined Solution Ideas around 4 months ago. It is run by George Ayoub who he himself has a disability, and his wife Beverly. I have known the couple for almost seven years now and they are like family to me. They have offered both my brother and I employment. Along with many other services including ‘Peer Cafes’. These catch ups are a chance for people within the community to come together and outline any issues and concerns, and for us to share our knowledge with each other.

The first time I attended their peer cafe I showed up late because I couldn’t get a hold of transport. As I arrived, I entered the room to see some familiar faces and some I have never seen before. They were all welcoming with their smiles as Bev was giving her presentation. After the peer cafe we had a meet and greet. All sharing our stories, issues and ideas with one another. Everyone was asked if they wanted something to eat or drink. I love attending these Peer Cafes because I love hearing other people’s concerns and problems and sharing my own challenges. It shows me that I’m not the only one with struggles in life and together we find solutions to make sure that we are included and participate.

SOLUTION IDEAS CALD CAFÉ

Our unique café welcomes people with disability, their family, friends and allies for fruitful discussions about current issues.

We also share our lived experiences (stories) on what works and what needs to improve.

Join Our S.I.C.C Cafe!

Get ready for our monthly Face to Face S.I.C.C Cafe! Let’s come together for engaging and fruitful discussions, surrounded by friends, family, and allies. Whether you have a disability or support someone who does, everyone is welcome!

**Upcoming Events:**

**Bankstown** – Tuesday, 12th Nov | 1 PM – 3 PM

**Fairfield** – Wednesday, 13th Nov | 11:30 AM – 1 PM

**Penrith** – Friday, 15th Nov | 11:30 AM – 1 PM

Bring your stories, your ideas, and your smiles. Let’s make our community stronger, one conversation at a time!

Words from our Peer

Ibby

As a person with a disability from a Lebanese background, it was a challenge finding employment, especially having completed my Masters of Business and Commerce. I went after opportunities that came my way when trying to find a job that matched my skills and knowledge. I worked in a few administration roles but wanted to start and build my career in accounting.

It started in 2013, where I applied for an internship with Westpac while I was studying my Bachelor’s degree in Business and Commerce with key program in accounting. Later that year, I got my first paid job through a disability employment service provider. I worked as an administrator for about one month but left after a month due to the building being inaccessible, meaning I had to work in the foyer while everyone was working in the office upstairs. Toilets were not-accessible as well. The best thing was for me to leave the place and find a new job.

Months later, I had another opportunity to work in my field, accounting, but was sadly limited to administration work at the time. I remember my employment service provider and I met with one of the co-managers at the time and both of them were discussing my employment and agreed that they pay me the minimum wage at that time which was equal $12.50 an hour. The building was also inaccessible. There was two steps so they used a portable ramp as a quick solution. It was steep and it was uncomfortable. Receiving my wages was a challenge at that time as I worked a total number of 32 hours but had to keep following up on my payment. It has been 10 years and still have not been paid , a clear violation of my human rights

After I left this work, I studied some more, as well as, took the opportunity to volunteer in different organisations during the time I was looking for meaningful work . Volunteering help me gain experience and knowledge on the workplace and how to perform tasks such as different computer skills ah communicating with other people and organizing people as well as networking. Well I’m doing has enabled me to become more involved with my community And so helping other people with disabilities was something that I was passionate in doing so I trained and became a peer worker with a Not For Profit organization known as Diversity and Disability Alliance I learnt from the best and shared my knowledge skills and experiences with the other people in my community I was excited and enjoyed the work that I was doing Volunteering is good for gaining Experience knowledge and building and network around you however volunteering for a long time is not ideal and so if there’s no opportunity for paid work then it’s time to move on and find another job that will provide pay.