DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT STRATEGY

190 Mrs REDMOND (Heysen) (31 July 2007). With respect to the Government's strategy to double the number of people with a disability employed in the public sector by 2014, how many are currently employed and how is 'disability' defined?

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL (Cheltenham—Minister for Families and Communities, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation, Minister for Housing, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Disability, Minister Assisting the Premier in Cabinet Business and Public Sector Management): The South Australian Office of Public Employment's most recent Workforce Information Analysis Report (June 2006) found that there were 777 employees (out of 51,390 persons) in the Administrative Units with an ongoing disability requiring adaptation to their workplace. This represents 1.5 per cent of employees and a 13.3 per cent increase (91 persons) since June 2005. It is hoped that this most recent survey will assist other departments in the future in ascertaining better information on disability and employment.

However, part of the work on meeting our Strategic Plan target to double the number of people with a disability employed in the public sector by 2014, involves a more accurate method of counting people. For instance, there are many employees with a disability who do not need any workplace modification. For this reason, work is continuing with the Department for Families and Communities to determine a more accurate number.