DIVERSITY BUILDS SMARTER BUSINESS

NDS Disability Breakfast

Tuesday, 20th August 2024, 7.30am to 9.00am

The Disability Employment Breakfast, held in Hobart, will be our final inclusion, diversity and equity breakfast for 2024.

As part of our Inclusion and Diversity Action Plan, TMEC launched a series of networking breakfasts to support Inclusion and Diversity (I&D) in 2024 and to champion change. A great opportunity to hear from experts in their field – this breakfast will be focused on employment of people with disabilities. Join us for this valuable panel session and opportunity to network with a range of cross industry representatives.

We’ll provide some time for Q&A where you can ask our speakers questions and seek inspiration from their own experiences.

When: Tuesday, 20th August 2024, 7.30am to 9.00am
Where: Philip Smith Centre, Room 205, 71 Brooker Avenue, Glebe TAS 7000
Cost: $40.00 per person – breakfast and light refreshments will be included.
Limited tickets available, book now to avoid missing out!

Thank you to our sponsor National Disability Service (NDS) for supporting this event.

Meet our Speakers

Roen Meijers

Senior Policy and Project Officer from National Disability Services (NDS) – Roen is a disability policy expert and community advocate, with lived experience of navigating employment as disabled person. They are passionate about inclusive employment, having previously worked across sectors ranging from astronomy, fine arts, and statistics through to community services. Recently, Roen’s focus has been on improving pathways from school to work for young people with disability in Tasmania, through codesigning and piloting an evidence-based, lived-experience mentoring program.

Grant Coker-Williams

General Manager Employee Experience & Assurance at Blueline Laundry – Grant has over 25 years experience in the Disability Sector. During this time Grant has steered the development and creation of several Social Enterprises employing people with disability, including a biscuit manufacturing business, a landscape gardening business and 3 cafes. Grant has managed a Disability Employment Service (DES) specialising in Mental Health, and a large organisation that held a Job Services Australia contract across Tasmania.

Currently Grant is a member of the senior management team of Blueline Laundry, in the capacity of General Manager Employee Experience and Assurance. Alongside his responsibilities for the People and Culture and Quality Systems and processes including certification to ISO9001 and ISO 14001 and the NDIS Practice Standards. Grant also heads the Blueline Laundry Supported Employment Program which employs over 60 people with disability.

Julie Penney

Manager of Employment and Skills Development with Possability Tasmania – Julie has over 20 years of experience in the employment industry, the last 6 years having been dedicated to disability employment. When starting at Possability, Julie was tasked with the job of creating a customised employment program for clients who were not able to achieve sustainable long-term employment in their preferred field, those who wanted to work but were not able to access the necessary supports to be successful, those who were traditionally placed in the “too hard basket”.

Almost 4 years on Julie’s dedicated team are working with over 70 clients across Tasmania in the Pathways to Employment Program. This program is based on capacity building, using Discovery and other specialised customised employment techniques, tailored to the unique needs of the individual. The program has been highly successful, with participants gaining and maintaining employment. The program is currently being rolled out across NSW, QLD and VIC.

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