Supporting businesses’ diversity and inclusion strategies to bolster employment of people with disabilities.
The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia (CCIWA) is proud to deliver an initiative aimed at increasing employment opportunities for people with disabilities within small to medium enterprises (SMEs) and across the WA business community.
Funded by the WA Government, this Project developed in collaboration with the Department of Communities, aims to connect businesses to existing support services and assist businesses to navigate the disability employment ecosystem, fostering collaboration and reducing duplication of support services.
Throughout 2025-26, CCIWA will work with employers, service providers, experts and other stakeholders to improve the connectivity and collaboration between businesses and disability support services and aim to encourage more businesses to successfully attract and sustainably employ people with disability in their workplaces.
If you would like to get involved with the Project by sharing your story, offering guidance on navigating the disability employment support ecosystem, or providing advice on starting your disability employment journey, please contact us.
Discover our case studies.
Ability Link Webinar Series
Our webinar series, in partnership with various organisations, aims to provide practical support and guidance on disability employment, industrial relations, and the benefits of fostering an inclusive workplace.
Practical Resources
The unemployment rate for people with disabilities is more than double the rest of the population, yet the economic benefits of hiring people with disabilities include increased profits, staff satisfaction and customer loyalty.
Secondary students with disability can face significant challenges after school. Supporting students with disability in their transition from school to work benefits both businesses and the community.
This quick guide provides practical steps for small to medium businesses to enhance their engagement with schools and create meaningful opportunities for students with disability.
Being neurodivergent means “people whose brains are significantly different to what is expected in the ‘typical’ population” and can include Autism Spectrum Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia and others.
Many neurodivergent individuals face invisible barriers to employment. For employers, a lack of awareness and understanding about neurodiversity can lead to missed opportunities in hiring talented, capable individuals. This Business Case provides some practical strategies for successfully employing neurodivergent individuals.
Employing people with disability,including intellectual disability, can bring valuable diversity, loyalty, and productivity to your workplace. Yet many businesses hesitate – not due to a lack of goodwill, but because of unanswered questions, perceived risks, or uncertainty about how to start.
With 1 in 5 Australians living with disability – and even more affected when carers, family, and friends are considered – accessibility is not a niche concern; it’s a market, workforce, and community opportunity. By proactively creating inclusive environments, businesses attract new customers, build brand loyalty, tap into underutilised talent pools, and strengthen their local communities. We aren’t here to re-create or duplicate, this document offers links to other great resources that all businesses need to know about. We thank Inclusion Solutions and the legal team at CCIWA for their insights and support in creating this Business Case.
Accessibility isn’t just about compliance – it’s about dignity, safety, and opportunity for people of all abilities. Read on to find out what we can learn from Ability Heroes when it comes to championing accessibility.
Hiring a person with intellectual disability doesn’t mean going it alone. A wide range of supports – both formal and informal – are available to help employers succeed and ensure the person with disability thrives at work. Download a copy of our business case to learn more.
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