New report highlights benefit of closing the disability employment gap
Creating more employment opportunities for disabled people could provide a significant boost to the economy, a new report suggests.
Released by the Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha and produced by the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research, the report, 'Valuing Access to Work 2025', finds that closing the employment gap between disabled and non-disabled people could boost New Zealand’s GDP by $578 million.
Disabled people face many challenges in employment, with labour force participation sitting at 26.8% compared to 72.9% for non-disabled people. This is despite many unemployed disabled people wanting a job.
The report also highlighted benefits in improving education outcomes for disabled people, with modelling suggesting a further $132 million could be added to GDP.
Alongside the report, the website ‘OneinSix.nz’ has been launched by Whaikaha in collaboration with the New Zealand Disability Employers’ Network with guidance for businesses looking to recruit and support disabled employees.
Employment is one of the priority outcome areas for the refreshed New Zealand Disability Strategy, with the release of OneinSix.nz the first action to be delivered since its release in December.
Chief Executive Paula Tesoriero said with 1 in 6 New Zealanders being disabled, getting more people into work could bring not only social but economic benefits for New Zealand.
“Often, a disabled person will be the best person for the job but may face barriers that can be removed with a straightforward conversation.
“There are some great examples out there of businesses who have started on the path to making their workplace more accessible and open and this report shows there is a big opportunity for employers to access a talent pool that many businesses are unaware of.”
“The numbers are compelling, but behind them are real people who want to contribute. Our role as a Ministry is to work with other agencies, employers, and disabled people to help build awareness and break down some of those barriers.”
The Ministry also recently created the first public sector-wide summer internship programme for disabled graduates, with 12 people employed across 9 different agencies.