NZ Disability Employers' Network

We are committed to our vision:
“New Zealand organisations realise the true potential of disabled people, to the benefit of everyone."

Members of the network seek to:

• Bridge the disability career gap;
• Break down the accessibility barriers to equitably serve all; and
• Inspire others to action.

Disability employment gap

Recent labour market statistics show New Zealanders with disabilities are 3 times less likely to be employed than their non-disabled peers. The difference between employment rates of disabled and non-disabled people is called the disability employment gap. New Zealand’s disability employment gap is currently 47.8%. We’re changing that!

Inclusive workplaces

An inclusive workplace is not only physically and technologically accessible, but also breaks down social barriers and changes attitudes. For many job seekers with disabilities, discrimination and lack of support stop them from finding and keeping a job.

The benefits of an inclusive workplace extend beyond supporting employees with disabilities. A disability inclusive workplace:

• increases productivity;
• enables a larger pool of talented people to apply for, maintain, and advance through employment; and
• leads to an expanded customer base.

1 in 4 New Zealanders identify as having a disability. If organisations are not inclusive and accessible, they could be missing out on a quarter of the market.