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International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD) – Sunday December 3, 2023
International Day of People with a Disability (IDPwD) is on Sunday 3 December 2023.
What is IDPwD?
The annual international celebration is a United Nations observed day and aims to increase public awareness and acceptance of people with a disability and celebrate their achievements and contributions.
This year’s United Nations theme
This year’s annual theme is:
United in action to rescue and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for, with and by persons with disabilities.
The annual theme provides an overarching focus on how society can strive for inclusivity through the removal of physical, technological, and attitudinal barriers for people with disability.
Why does CVGT Employment celebrate IDPwD?
“Inclusion and diversity are integral to our culture and how we live our values. As an employment services provider, reflecting the diversity of the people we support, and our communities enables us to better understand and respond to their needs,” says Fleur Cousins, General Manager Corporate Services at CVGT Employment.
Join us in promoting awareness, diversity, and inclusion in our communities
At CVGT Employment we believe in inclusive employment for every person and business. At CVGT we strive every day to improve inclusion, accessibility, and an equitable world.
In the lead up to IDPwD and to celebrate read about some of our disability highlights below and find out where we will be to celebrate IDPwD.
Our services support people with disability to find meaningful work
At CVGT Employment, we believe every person deserves the opportunity to fulfil their potential. Our programs support people with a disability to find meaningful work. Find out more about our programs.
Disability Employment Services
Disability Employment Services (DES) is an Australian Government Initiative that helps people with a disability, injury or health condition (including anxiety and depression) find and keep a job.
Our goal is to find employment solutions that work for our participants, their needs, skills, experience, and interests.
Specialist Disability Employment Team (SDET)
SDET supports the partnerships CVGT Employment have with external organisations. It enables CVGT to offer dedicated, intensive, and customised support to participants with a disability, all of whom have an intellectual or development disability.
Working together is what makes the difference for our communities
We work closely with businesses and industry every day to build inclusive practices, improve equality and ensure every person has access to employment.
Impact21
A partnership between Inclusion Foundation, Torrens University and CVGT Employment delivering an employment education and preparation program for people with Down Syndrome.
Onemda
A commitment exists between CVGT Employment and Onemda to work together to build pathways to employment for school leavers with disability.
Holmesglen
We work closely with the Certificate II in Work Education students at Holmesglen’s Chadstone and Moorabbin campus to find and maintain suitable employment for students.
Back2Work
We work closely with Back2Work to support our participants capacity to re-enter the workforce. Participants are able to access additional non-vocational support through this partnership.
Headspace
A partnership has recently developed between CVGT Employment and headspace in Echuca and Swan Hill. We are hoping to continue to broaden this partnership in more locations to improve mental health support for our youth participants.
Australian Network on Disability
We’ve partnered with Australian Network on Disability (AND), Employing 100 project, which aims to place 100 job seekers with disability into roles in the health care and social services sector. CVGT Employment with work closely with project employers in Melbourne to connect participants to work.
Not every disability is visible, some are hidden
Some disabilities, conditions or chronic illnesses are not immediately obvious to others. For some people, this can make it hard to understand and believe that someone, with a “non-visible” condition genuinely needs support.
Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Network
CVGT Employment has recently joined the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower network, becoming the FIRST employment services provider to show their support in Australia.
How we’re celebrating IDPwD in our communities
See how you can get involved in the celebrations in your local area. Our CVGT teams would love to see you!
IDPwD – Bendigo
Friday 1 December, 10AM- 2PM – Library Gardens
Join the Bendigo celebrations. Listen to guest speakers from the local Bendigo council, local government along with our IDPwD ambassadors.
There will be plenty of fun things to do on the day. You can catch up with some of local Disability Services and of course plenty of music. Local Disability sports teams will be show casing their sports.
Come and see our wonderful Bendigo team at this the free public event.
IDPwD – Kerang & Swan Hill
Tuesday 28 November, 10AM- 2PM – Kerang Lawn Tennis Club
Join the Kerang and Swan Hill team for the IDPwD celebrations.
Let’s celebrate the day and promote awareness of people with disabilities.
Whether you have a disability, know someone with a disability or just want to come along to say hello, our Disability Employment Services team would love to see you there.
All are welcome!
Our disability employment success stories
A look at some of our success stories that show how we’ve created inclusive employment opportunities for people with disability.
Adam’s long road back to meaningful work
For many years, Adam struggled with his body. Injuries and mobility issues made life tough, while discrimination because of his disabilities meant finding work was difficult. But now, with CVGT Employment’s support, Adam is in stable work, learning…
Special Olympian Chris adds five-year service award to long list of accolades
In the world of sports, Chris McMahon has carved his name in gold, having won over 200 medals as a Special Olympian. However, among the glittering accolades there is another milestone equally cherished and significant to Chris, his…
Ebony’s empowering employment journey
Ebony has autism and schizophrenia. Like so many people with disability she’d ‘never had a paid job before’ but knew she wanted to work in hospitality for an employer who values her uniqueness. In a world where barriers…
Humanity comes with purpose for Michael
Finding meaningful work can be a profound experience for someone trying to rebuild their career. For Michael*, a regular job has renewed his passion for life. “I feel more human,” he says. “I feel proud of how far…
Our employers – advocates for diversity in the workplace
“ Andrew is not only so friendly and so kind, but he is also a hard worker and wants to do his best. This has been a really great influence for everyone here, not just in our team but in the whole college community. Having Jordan from CVGT Employment was so helpful.”
Melissa, Marcellin College
Assistant Principal
“We adapted our onboarding process to help Chloe, but it wasn’t a difficult change or adaptation. It made us look at our onboarding process to see whether we could change it to fit people from all walks of life. She’s part of the office now, she’s part of the team and she brings a really positive component.“
Cathy, Snowdome Foundation
Head of Operations and Finance
We are proud to be an inclusive employer
CVGT Employment has a diverse workforce of people who believe in our purpose of connecting more people to meaningful work. We are proud that our team brings the skills, passion and compassion to support the work we do.
“We are proud to be recognised as an Inclusive Employer in 2023-2024 by the Diversity Council of Australia, after participating in the Inclusive Employer Index for the first time,” says Jason Russell, CVGT Employment Chief Executive Officer.
Meet Jamie
Specialist Disability Employment Team – Administration Officer at CVGT Employment