Wade and Sterling
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.
‘Workplace discrimination against disabled people is alive and well in a lot of workplaces across our nation. It only takes one biased person to discriminate in a workplace.’
Wade is in his early 30s and has cerebral palsy. He has a driver’s licence and works approximately six hours per week.
His father Sterling told the Royal Commission that Wade’s disability mainly affects his physical and fine motor skills. His cognitive skills are ‘affected to a minor extent’.
After leaving school Wade secured part-time employment with his current employer. Other people with disability were also part of the workforce.
‘Over the years [Wade] has enjoyed the support of several excellent managers … Sadly this has not been the case in recent years due to changeover in managers,’ Sterling said.
Wade has completed a number of TAFE courses since leaving school and recently completed a certificate 3 in education support. Despite this, ‘he has been unable to secure any significant and meaningful changes to his ongoing employment’.
Wade has applied for countless jobs over the years to no avail. Sterling said despite legislation there is ‘an enormous amount of real discrimination against people with disabilities who are seeking employment’.
Sterling believes a more proactive approach to ‘help this group of people … get into more sustainable employment’ is needed.
He suggests the government require companies to employ a percentage of workers with a disability and introduce tax incentives. For example, taxes paid by employees with disability could be reimbursed to the employer.
‘Workplaces would have to be visited regularly by inspectors to ensure that all arrangements are legitimate and working.’
Wade continues to live at home with Sterling and his wife who are both retired.
When Sterling reflects on their working and caring lives, he believes more ‘meaningful support’ should be extended to families of people with disability.
He believes Australia can do better.
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.