Inform issue 26 – Summer 2019

Feature
informonline.org.au
9
I didn’t fare better with employment
agencies, as nobody could offer me any
advice or refer me on to work that catered to
my skillset. While undertaking my Bachelor
of Media undergraduate degree at the
University of Adelaide, I approached Radio
Adelaide 101.5 FM about doing a 60-minute
program on disability-related content,
but was knocked back due to having no
proper framework. Often it occurred to me
that management misjudged my interests
in joining the station, but ableism never
interfered with my later involvement at Radio
Adelaide after completing my training in May
2016.
According to 2014-15 figures from the
Australian Government’s Australian Institute
of Health and Welfare, of those aged 15+
who identify as being autistic 42% say
that they are not in the labour force, while
24% say they are employed and 34% are
unemployed. Of the 2.1 million Australians
with disability who are of working age, only
1 million have found themselves a job, and
over one-quarter of autistic jobseekers are
involuntarily unemployed.
A recent survey conducted by Autism
Spectrum Australia (Aspect) discovered
that most adults with Asperger’s Syndrome
can’t get access to the support they need in
achieving their career goals and aspirations.
I had to persist in fighting to be heard by an
industry that still has a very low percentage
of employees with a disability or impairment.
I was lucky – eventually Radio Adelaide did
listen, and over the last five years I have
involved myself with the radio station. My
immersion at Radio Adelaide has made me
to be more self-confident and self-assured
in what my short- and long-term goals are
in my career: to become the first radio
presenter or journalist who is openly autistic
and gay.
Since then I have dabbled in some freelance
journalism work with SBS, writing opinion
editorials encapsulating the realities that
Australia’s disability community faces daily.
I do it without worrying about censoring or
retracting what I say with my argumentative
and personified opinions.
Back in February this year, I applied for the
ABC’s Media Cadetship Program as I thought
I was ready to venture into the next stage
of my career. When writing out my cover
letter about having Asperger’s Syndrome,
Ayme-Gripp Syndrome and other sensory
impairments, tweaking or distorting the truth
didn’t seem all that appealing to me.
I believe that disclosing who you are
to potential employers is important in
promoting your work ethic, particularly when
marketing your eligibility and productivity as
a reliable employee. When deciding what to
put into your resume before sending it off to
businesses, double-check that everything is
accurate and factual. The worst thing is to
have two or more referees who are unable
to be contacted by phone or email.
My advice to future disabled jobseekers,
including those who are autistic, is to refrain
from suppressing or erasing your disability
or impairment. If an employer is verbally
or passively ableist, you shouldn’t sacrifice
your mental health for financial stability. Also,
remember to be well groomed and punctual
when going to job interviews, as I guarantee
you will be looked at more favourably. Who
knows, you might just get that congratulatory
call-back saying that you have been hired.
Jarad will be a guest in our upcoming podcast
episode on work and including your disability
on your resume. You can find out more here
www.informonline.org.au/listen