Female hospitality student

Unlocking opportunities: Career pathways for young people with disabilities

Smiling girl with prosthesis hand sitting on couch at home and talking with friend or family.

Deciding on a career path in high school is a serious challenge for any student. It’s exactly the same for students who may have a disability – why wouldn’t it be? Perhaps you have no idea what you’d like to do after you leave school. Or you might be having doubts about yourself and how your disability will affect your employment, and that’s ok. Just remember, the sooner you start thinking about your career options, and the pathways that can help you get there, the better.

The good news is the Australian workplace is more inclusive than ever. There are thousands of young adults with a recognised disability who are carving out exciting and rewarding careers for themselves. What might be different for you are the pathways to find the career that’s perfect for your circumstances.

So what is a disability anyway?

It’s a great question. Australians like Nick Vujicic, Carly Findlay, Kurt Fearnley and Dylan Alcott are challenging traditional ideas and attitudes around disability. They’ll tell you their disability isn’t what makes them exceptional, and like most people, they have all faced obstacles to reach their full potential.

The definition of ‘disability’ in the Disability Discrimination Act is broad. It includes:

  • Physical, including physical disfigurement
  • Intellectual
  • Psychiatric or mental ill-health
  • Sensory such as sight, sound, touch, taste, smell
  • Neurological, as in the nervous system
  • Learning disabilities including things like dyslexia, dysgraphia and ADHD

It also includes a range of health conditions. This refers to disease-causing organisms in the body such as Cancer, Cystic Fibrosis, Diabetes, plus many more. The Act also refers to disabilities that people have now. Or had in the past. Or may have in the future. Or are believed to have.

Young male student sitting in a wheelchair with laptop. Image has three question marks in round colored circles

Where are you in your career pathway?

Understanding what a career is can be quite tricky. The good news is that there are plenty of resources out there to support you. Want more good news? You’re already on the best resource for Tasmanian students – Careerify. Check out this article to learn about what a career is.

Resources are essential in providing personalised guidance. They help students explore different career paths, and support young people in making informed decisions about their future. If you’re still unsure, talk with your school’s Career Advisor. They play a crucial role in assisting students during transitions and goal-setting.

Take a moment to learn about the services and resources that can help you get to where you want to go.

School Career Advisors
myfuture
Everyone can Work
MyWAY Employability
Headspace Work and Study Support
CF Strong
Canteen Education and Career Service
Young female with down syndrome being helped to prune a plant by a teacher. Image has question marks in round colored circles

Which further education and training is right for you

While challenges exist, the benefits of further education after year 12 are clear. Many further education and training courses can be completed online or part-time. You can search for TAFE, University or private college courses by study mode. See the study mode filter in The Good Universities Guide.

In fact, nothing is ever far away, which is part of the attraction of Tasmania. Our state is dotted with fascinating towns, sites and scenery.

TasTAFE
University of Tasmania
Australian Maritime College
Apprenticeships and Traineeships
Other resources

Employment services

More and more employment opportunities are opening up for people living with disability – and it’s only going to get bigger. This includes the creation of specialist, government-funded organisations who can help you to develop your own career pathway while at school. Pretty awesome, huh?

National Disability Insurance Scheme

If you’re an NDIS participant you may be eligible for the School Leavers Employment Support (SLES). SLES is available from the time you are in your final year of school. This provides you with two years of support to develop the skills and confidence to transition from school to employment. Finding, Keeping and Changing Jobs is a resource for NDIS participants who want to prepare for work and get a job.


Disability Employment Services (DES)

Disability Employment Services support people with disability or a health condition to find, keep or change a job. DES providers can help people living with disability or a health condition to prepare for work. You can train for specific job skills, and prepare for job interviews. DES providers continue to support you while you are working. You can locate your local DES provider on the Job Access website.


Job Access

Job Access is a national hub of resources and information that can drive disability employment. Job Access has information about support for people with disability. This includes financial support. Support for training and development. Finding and changing jobs. Workplace and adjustments. The rights and responsibilities of people with disability. Plus, videos of stories about people living with disability and their employment. The Job Access YouTube channel showcases people living with disability and the jobs they are doing.


IncludeAbility

IncludeAbility is about creating meaningful employment opportunities for Australians with disability. Resources for people with disability or a health condition include: applying for a job, résumés and cover letters and job interview preparation. Discovering when you might or might not need to disclose your disability. How to identify inclusive employers. Plus the IncludeAbility Employer Network. Membership of this network is by invitation from the Disability Discrimination Commissioner.

Push your abilities and interests to the forefront

There are heaps of opportunities available for students with a disability to pursue their chosen career – so why not grab one? Or, if that doesn’t work out, then try another. The good news is there are thousands of people with a disability who are carving out a remarkable and meaningful career for themselves in all sorts of industries. The better news is that you can be the next. So take a moment to reflect on this article – and don’t forget to explore the useful links! For more information, speak with a Career Advisor or teacher at your school.