Creating inclusive employment opportunities
Inclusive employment is about ensuring people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds can participate in meaningful work. For people with disability, employment support can include personalised coaching, workplace advocacy, skills development, employer engagement and practical assistance to help remove barriers to work.
AKG delivers Inclusive Employment Australia– a specialist employment program that supports people with disability, injury or health conditions to prepare for, find and maintain employment. Through tailored support and strong community connections, AKG helps job seekers build confidence, develop new skills and connect with employers who value their strengths.
For Timothy, that support helped open the door to a new chapter.
“My life has fair dinkum changed!”
That’s what Timothy told us, and we’re proud to have been part of his inspiring journey.
Facing barriers after a lifetime of work
Timothy is 64. He was born with physical deformities caused by the thalidomide tragedy of the 1960s, a global medical disaster that affected thousands of children whose mothers were prescribed thalidomide during pregnancy.
For 40 years, Timothy worked as a cricket pitch curator, using his knowledge, care and dedication to prepare and maintain cricket grounds. But in 2021, a shoulder injury left him unable to continue in that role and out of work.
With his age, disability and injury, Timothy did not believe employment was possible for him anymore.
Finding someone in his corner
Everything began to change when Timothy joined our Inclusive Employment Australia program.
AKG Job Coach Michele noticed that Timothy was volunteering at a local cricket club. Recognising his experience, dedication and connection to the club, Michele reached out on his behalf and advocated for the club to consider hiring him.
While the club valued Timothy and appreciated his contribution, they explained they did not have the funding to create a paid role.
It was not the outcome Timothy and Michele had hoped for. But something important shifted that day. Timothy realised someone was in his corner. There was genuine hope, and he was not doing this alone.
Building confidence through digital skills
With that renewed hope came a new goal. Timothy wanted to build his digital skills, including using computers, phones and other workplace technology.
Michele connected him with UnMatched Support Services, an organisation that supports people to build capacity, confidence and independence.
They worked with Timothy. They believed in him. And they valued him so much that they created a role just for him.
Preparing for the workplace
Before Timothy began his new role, Michele connected him with Ready Set to access appropriate work clothing. Ready Set is an organisation that helps people prepare for employment by providing practical support such as workwear, styling and job-readiness assistance.
For Timothy, having the right clothing made a significant impact on how he saw himself and how prepared he felt to step into work.
As he said:
“My self-esteem is soaring…”
A new role and a new chapter
Timothy is now an Admin and Marketing Coordinator with UnMatched Support Services, where he is putting his brand-new digital skills to work.
He started at 10 hours a week and has been increasing his hours ever since. In his role, Timothy works alongside other people with disability and is passionate about helping them feel included, valued and supported.
His journey shows how powerful personalised employment support can be. With the right coaching, advocacy, skills training, employer connection and practical preparation, Timothy moved from believing work was no longer possible to building a role where he can contribute, grow and support others.
In Timothy’s words:
“After five years sitting on my bum, this new chapter in life is a true revelation. The skills I’m learning on the computer is eye opening.”
