Please join us in congratulating our 2022 Disability Research Fund recipients, Dr Ashokkumar Manoharan and the research team from Flinders University, for their study ‘Facilitating sustainable employment of people with intellectual disabilities in Hospitality SMEs: A multi-stakeholder perspective.‘
The study is currently in its first stage, where the team set out to identify the barriers employers face when hiring people with intellectual disability. With a vision close to our hearts, their aim is to increase sustainable, open employment outcomes with a focus on the hospitality industry.
We spoke to Senior Lecturer at Flinders University, Dr Manoharan who is leading the study.
Delivering sustainable open employment is of high priority, yet most research in the area focuses on job readiness rather than employer readiness
said Dr Manoharan.
The hospitality industry is a potentially attractive employer, but barriers exist. Some large organisations in the hospitality industry employ people with disability. However, 76% are small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and have been slower to support their recruitment.
Engaging with key hospitality workers is an essential focus for the study to assess the attitudes and expectations of employers when hiring. Their perspectives will provide a strong indicator of the barriers and enablers to sustainable employment.
Research Officer at Flinders University, Dr Graeme Payne, has so far conducted 40 interviews with senior staff in the hospitality industry, some employing people with intellectual disability and some not. A further 45 SMEs were approached but declined an interview.
Interviewees* who currently employ people with intellectual disability shared rewarding and positive outcomes.
Once people can do something and realise they can do it quite well and are in a supportive environment, I think they get a lot of rewards from doing that.
Owner/ Manager Café/Bakery
Our business is about integrity and trust. We show we care for our staff, patrons, and our community. Employing a person with an intellectual disability aligns with our values.
Hotel Owner/Manager
People with intellectual disability may need additional support, but so do new workers.
Hotel Assistant Manager
Consultant for the Independent Advocacy and the Disability Royal Commission (DRC), Sundara Rengasamy is a valued member of the steering committee. Sundara hopes the study will achieve excellent employment outcomes.
From this experience, I have learnt that hospitality workers are interested in talking to employment services to help people with an intellectual disability enter the hospitality industry,
I would like to tell hospitality managers to look at [a potential employee’s] ability and skill sets [rather than their disability].
The team continues to identify barriers to sustainable open employment for people with intellectual disability. Next, they will launch a national-level survey where their findings will guide the development of a toolkit for SME businesses, supporting the growth of people with intellectual disability employed in hospitality settings.
Endeavour Foundation Disability Research Fund is committed to supporting quality research that genuinely makes a difference. We look forward to following Flinders University in its endeavour to positively stimulate demand for people with intellectual disability in achieving employment sustainability.
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