Introduction

Employers will drive the change to increase the employment of disabled people.

Employing disabled New Zealanders gives the public confidence that the employers understand, and are responsive to, the needs of our diverse ciitzens. Disabled customers and their families/whānau, friends and colleagues want services that meet their needs. All customers prefer to deal with people who genuinely understand their situation. A workforce that better reflects New Zealand’s diversity provides a 'real' perspective of what services meet a wide spectrum of needs.

The New Zealand government on behalf of all New Zealanders has ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities (UNCRPD). The UNCRPD recognises the importance of providing equality of opportunity.

With disabled people making up nearly a quarter of the working aged population it is important for employers to tap into this pool of people who can make valuable contributors to New Zealand.

This Toolkit is a valuable resource for employers, leaders, managers and human resource professionals to create an inclusive and welcoming environment for disabled people. In the Toolkit, the reasons employers may overlook employing disabled New Zealanders is addressed, including (false) beliefs about the costliness and difficulty of employing disabled people, or unwarranted health and safety concerns.

Another resource that sits alongside this Toolkit is a video, Taking the Lead, which showcases disabled people who have been successfully employed in the Public Service. The positive and inspiring stories of these employees truly illustrate that the employment of disabled people is a win–win situation for everyone.

It is expected that employers will drive the change needed in their organisations to increase the employment of disabled people and they are asked to step up and make this happen. This will make a huge difference to the lives of disabled people and their families and add real value to your organisation. We encourage you to take the time to have a look through this Toolkit and work with your leadership, management and human resource teams to ensure that it is widely distributed and used by your employees.

It's not only the right thing to do; it's the bright thing to do.

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