The Pathway to Work: One Man’s Story 
Getting on with it!
Rob Pyne
Regional Disability Liaison Officer (RDLO) for Far North Queensland

Disability is either congenital or Acquired
I didn‘t always have a disability
Slide depicts photos of Rob prior to his accident

Guess I was breakable!
Slide depicts photos of Rob and family in the Princess Alexandra Spinal Unit

Marriage, Study and Myths
Marriage

Study
Bachelor of Arts (Hon) 
Bachelor of Laws 

Myths
Three of the better myths:
Brave (our Hero)
Overcoming the Odds
Roll Model

People just want a normal life

Work
Work is an integral part of who we are:
Over 8 hours per day
Self Respect
Social Networks & Marriage

Realities of Hiring People with Disabilities
Separating Myths from Reality
Myth: 
Employees with disabilities will use more sick leave and won’t be as productive as other employees.
Fact: 
Employees with disabilities have the same absentee and sick rates as non-disabled employees 
Employers consistently rate workers with disabilities as average or above average in performance.
Myth: 40% of employers maintain that it is difficult or costly to provide adjustments to workers with disabilities.
Fact: 
The majority of employers who had made adjustments found that the cost of the adjustments was only $500 or less. The majority (73%) of employers report that their employees with disabilities did not require adjustments.

Government Incentives
CRS Australia
Work Based Personal Assistance (WBPA)
Workplace Modifications ($10 000.00)

What is most Important?
Attitudes, attitudes, attitudes