Abstract

The right to work, free from discrimination, is a fundamental human right, but one that is not always enjoyed by people with disability. Labour force participation rates for people with disability in Australia are low and have changed very little over the past two decades. The Australian Human Rights Commission's Willing to Work: National Inquiry into employment discrimination against older Australians and Australians with Disability [1] completed in May 2016 found that people with disability face a number of systemic, complex and intertwining barriers to employment that deny them the opportunity to experience the personal, social and economic benefits of work. Technology can be a great equaliser in ensuring that people with disability can obtain, retain and advance in employment. For people with disability, the digital age represents both an opportunity and a challenge in relation to employment. Electronic networks and new digital media technologies are transforming the ways that people work and collaborate. However, digital barriers can also reinforce rather than break down disproportionately low employment among people with disability. How can we leverage web accessibility and technology to eliminate the persistent barriers that people with disability face? Effective strategy, policy and processes for workplace accessibility will unlock the immense potential of the 1 in 5 people that have a disability in Australia, ensure that they are able to enjoy the right to work on an equal basis with others and deliver measurable impacts to the Australian economy.

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