Tim Cologan has Down syndrome, a job he loves, and a message that cuts through corporate noise: people with disabilities are human too and they deserve respect, acceptance, and real work. Alongside Susie Walford, GM Federal Self-Insurance at EML, we dig into what disability inclusion looks like when it moves from good intentions to everyday practice in the workplace.

Tim shares his path into employment, from his first role in the property sector to being made redundant during COVID, and then landing at EML after a simple conversation that turned into an interview and a “yes”. He also talks about building confidence over time, how dancing (jazz and hip hop) helps him feel stronger, and why the best part of work is belonging, making friends, and being trusted with meaningful tasks that keep the office running.

Susie brings the employer perspective with refreshing honesty: many organisations want to hire people with disability but don’t know the pathway, overthink “risk”, and underestimate the value that real diversity brings to teams and customers. We walk through practical steps for inclusive hiring in Canberra, how onboarding support from Down Syndrome Australia can help, and why leadership, flexibility, and culture matter as much as any policy on paper. If you care about disability employment, inclusive workplaces, and tapping into an overlooked talent pool, this conversation will give you both heart and a clear next step. Subscribe, share the episode, and leave a review with one thing you’ll do to make your workplace more inclusive.