Goulburn-Murray Water (GMW) is taking great steps forward in making its workplaces and storages more inclusive and accessible for people with disabilities.
And not just physical disabilities, but mental and neurological conditions, too.
In GMW’s latest podcast episode, All Abilities Network member Paul Bruce talks about living with dyslexia.
“When I went to school, there wasn’t much known about it, so you were told you were dumb, to sit at the back of the class and to leave school as quick as you can,” Mr Bruce said.
“About 10 per cent of the population has dyslexia … and many of them just get by and don’t say much.
“But there are ways to accommodate them to make their jobs more satisfactory so they fit into the workplace better.
“It’s not making things easier for one group, it’s putting a level playing field out there.
“Just because you can't do a specific thing due to the way you are built doesn’t mean you can't do anything else if you’ve got a bit of assistance.”
Speaking as part of International Day of People with Disability on December 3, Paul was joined on the podcast by fellow network members Lisa Franke and Donald Hughan who discussed the theme “Not all Disabilities are Visible”.
Lisa suffers from chronic anxiety and depression, which she didn’t consider to be a disability until she spoke with others from the network.
“I found the All Abilities Network to be wonderful because you are engaging and advocating on behalf of all different disabilities and we are working along with management to make our workplace more inclusive,” she said.
“I can be slower to complete tasks, because I’m a real perfectionist. Usually I like to be in the office because I like to be connected to people, but then there are other days where I might be fine and then something triggers me and the next day I’m in bed and don’t want to leave the house.
“GMW has been very supportive with its leave and flexible working arrangements. I find the company really genuinely cares about the wellbeing of its staff and making everyone comfortable in the workplace.
“GMW is always looking for those opportunities to make the workplace more accommodating for people with a disability.”
To find out about these initiatives, listen to the latest episode of Talking Water with GMW at www.g-mwater.com.au/news/podcast-talking-water-with-gmw