If you think disability at work only means ramps and wheelchairs, this conversation will change how you see your own team. I sit down with Cate Johnson, Employment Services Manager at the Personnel Group, to talk about skills, inclusion, and disability employment in Canberra, and why “hire for potential” is more than a slogan. With one in five Australians living with disability and so many conditions being invisible, chances are your workplace already includes people managing health conditions, neurodiversity, or mental health challenges. The question is whether they feel safe enough to ask for support.

We get practical about what disability can look like, from ADHD, autism, and dyslexia to chronic fatigue, anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Kate explains why stigma and perception are still the biggest barriers to employment, and how good recruitment comes down to job fit, clear onboarding, proper training, and supportive management. We also dig into the fear many employers have about “getting it wrong”, and why reasonable adjustments are often simpler than people expect.

Cost is another big concern for small and medium businesses, so we break down what support is available through Inclusive Employment Australia providers, what post placement support looks like after someone starts work, and how Job Access can help fund workplace adjustments when they are needed. We also talk about the role of disability action plans and what matters most after the pledge: everyday habits that normalise inclusion.

If you want to build a more inclusive workplace culture and access a wider talent pool, press play and take one small step today. Subscribe for more Canberra business conversations, share this with a manager or business owner, and leave a review with your biggest question about inclusive hiring.