Tad and Nici
Content Warning: These stories are about violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation and may include references to suicide or self-harming behaviours. They may contain graphic descriptions and strong language and may be distressing. Some narratives may be about First Nations people who have passed away. If you need support, please see Contact & support.
Tad, late teens, has Down syndrome.
He works at an Australian Disability Enterprise (ADE) two days a week.
Tad loves going to work, his mum Nici told the Royal Commission.
Initially, he spent time in all areas of the business – packaging, recycling, landscaping, manufacturing and home maintenance – before choosing what he wanted to do.
Tad learnt how to do the job efficiently and safely by completing a certificate 1 and 2 – ‘a much-celebrated achievement,’ Nici said.
Staff support him to achieve success commensurate with his peers.
Nici believes Tad’s wage is fair and proportionate to his ability.
‘At an ADE he is able to communicate and participate as an equal rather than as someone “needing support” in open employment.’
Tad has made several new friends and enjoys seeing them in the breaks.
He looks forward to buying a hot chocolate from the coffee van.
He is stimulated, has become more independent and is learning about money. He has a strong sense of dignity, achievement and self-worth.
‘ADEs have progressed significantly from the days of sheltered workshops and it is inappropriate to consider the two in the same sentence … This is not a sheltered workshop, this is a workplace providing real jobs for real people.’
Nici says it would be an ‘absolute travesty of justice’ if ADEs were abolished. Many people with intellectual disability would struggle to find work in open employment.
She worries Tad would end up in a meaningless day program, at best learning skills he would never use.
‘Those with an intellectual disability and those with both physical and intellectual disability should be given the opportunity to work in an environment that is safe and supportive, which could be open employment or an ADE, but they should have the choice as to where they wish to participate. We should not and must not assume that open employment is the panacea for everyone.’
Disclaimer: This is the story of a person who shared their personal experience with the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability through a submission or private session. The names in this story are pseudonyms. The person who shared this experience was not a witness and their account is not evidence. They did not take an oath or affirmation before providing the story. Nothing in this story constitutes a finding of the Royal Commission. Any views expressed are those of the person who shared their experience, not of the Royal Commission.