‘I’m proud of how far I’ve come. I’m just ready to work.’ Exploring the relationships between the life circumstances of people with psychosocial disability and their engagement with the Australian Disability Employment Services program

Abstract

Participation in decent work is recognised as central to supporting individuals, with and without disabilities, to attain socio-economic opportunities, and, health and well-being. Through their ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), Australia has committed to supporting people with disabilities realise their right to work. Yet, Australians with disabilities continue to experience significantly poorer employment outcomes when compared to Australians without disabilities. Among those with disabilities, people with psychosocial disability experience some of the lowest levels of employment. Challenging life circumstances, intertwined wi..