Inclusive workplaces, stronger communities
Community Bridging Services Inc. is reshaping expectations by empowering students and adults with disability to take control of their career futures – proving that inclusive, open employment benefits both individuals and the wider community.
Open employment offers people with disabilities an opportunity to earn award wages, improve quality of life, form friendships, networks and communities, and gain healthy independence and control over their future. There are also profound benefits to the employers and communities through enriching and diversifying workplaces to become inclusive and powerful vehicles of change.
Understanding the misconceptions and challenges within disability employment, Community Bridging Services (CBS) Inc. collaborates with employers, community leaders and government to build meaningful opportunities in open employment. In recent years, CBS Inc. has seen a rise in disability-led social enterprises and inclusive hiring initiatives; however, more needs to be done to support this movement and increase awareness.
For many young South Australians with disabilities, career pathways are often limited to working within Australian Disability Enterprises (ADEs), where wages start at $3.12 and employees have limited work opportunities or growth offered to them. This can lead to low community expectations regarding the capabilities and possible contributions of employees living with a disability. Challenging these misconceptions led CBS Inc to create its Aim Higher program.
Aim Higher focuses on mentoring high school students to reach informed and individualised decisions regarding their future employment or career pathways. The success and learnings from Aim Higher, in conjunction with a positive Flinders University evaluation, led to the creation of Aim Wider, a program for adults with disability who are looking to expand their employment opportunities or goals using the same individualised, skill/interest and strength-based formula.
“For the past 29 years, CBS Inc. has supported people with disability into sustainable open employment through strength-based programs, building on individual interests and providing meaningful community inclusion,” founder and executive director Freddie Brincat said.
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Aim Higher
Commencing in June 2021, Aim Higher was implemented to support students to explore, navigate and gain skills and knowledge to identify the vast opportunities within open employment. Aim Higher was originally funded for one year through the Information, Linkages and Capacity Building Grants from the Department of Social Services (DSS). However, due to the success of the program it continues to be funded, supporting many South Australian students to create new directions and goals.
The Aim Higher program consists of key information sessions, guiding resources, and supports to assist students transition from their final years of high school into their chosen employment pathway. The information provided is specific and complements existing school resources. Aim Higher is free of charge for participants with a disability and/or needing additional education support in Year 9 and above. Intentional collaboration with schools across South Australia ensures young people with a disability or those experiencing educational challenges are prepared for a range of career options and can experience open employment work experience.
Aim Wider
Building on the success and learnings from Aim Higher, CBS Inc. was successful in receiving additional grant funding through the Structural Adjustment Fund from DSS for three South Australian locations: Adelaide Metro, Murray Bridge and Port Lincoln. Aim Wider is also free for participants, offering tailored supports to adults who are currently working in an ADE, are on a Disability Support Pension (DSP) or not employed and are interested in exploring the possibilities in open employment.
Aim Wider encourages participants to take control of their lives and make decisions for their employment futures. The program consists of five weekly sessions focusing on work discovery, skill development and personalised mentoring. Following the sessions, CBS Inc. facilitates work experience opportunities in line with participants’ interests and skills, while supporting them along the way.
The program scope also includes individualised referral pathways and services in consultation with participant support networks to empower the individual to continue their employment journey beyond the program.
“CBS helped me to transition from working in an ADE into open employment for better pay and new opportunities,” CBS Inc. participant Darcy said. “I feel incredibly lucky to be working at Boston Bean Coffee Company, where the positive culture makes me feel relaxed and I genuinely enjoy coming to work.
“I have been working there for the last six-and-a-half years, and the CBS team has continued to support me during this time. Thanks CBS team!”
CBS Inc. supports people living with disabilities to reach their full potential and work within or towards open employment, encouraging growth and aiming for more diverse and inclusive workforces. CBS Inc. prides itself on seeing and meeting everyone where they are at and will continue to use the strength-based model throughout the programs offered.
If you would like to learn more about Aim Wider, contact the CBS Inc. team on 8472 3356 or [email protected].
