Making the workplace inclusive for people with disability from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds

In March, SSI took another step toward creating a more inclusive workplace by starting a disability reference group. This group is designed to make sure that people with disabilities can share their experiences and help shape workplace policies. Operating under the community development branch of SSI’s local area coordination services, the group focuses on building trust and connecting with hard-to-reach communities.

The main goal of the group is to address the specific challenges faced by people with disabilities, especially those from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds. These individuals often face multiple barriers when trying to get support and navigate different systems.

A key member of the reference group is Nidhi Shekaran, who was born in India and lives with cerebral palsy and vision impairment. Nidhi is passionate about advocating for positive changes that benefit others like her. One of her priorities is to tackle transportation issues that many people with disabilities experience. She supports flexible work options, including effective work-from-home arrangements and necessary adjustments for employees who need to travel.

“The changes that we implement now will always be there,” said Nidhi.

“What we do is very future-focused.”

With the help of her fellow group members, Nidhi is working to make workplace documents and materials more accessible. She understands that many formats are not easy for people with vision impairments to use.

“If the experience of a person with disability is valued, then they themselves feel valued,” she said.

Nidhi believes that while inclusive recruitment is important, it’s just one part of the solution. It’s equally vital to ensure that everyone feels truly included and supported at work.

Nidhi’s involvement in SSI’s reference group shows her commitment to community engagement. Since 2005, she has participated in the Multicultural Disability Advocacy Association’s Community Voices initiative and was nominated for Blind Australian of the Year in 2023.

The reference group’s focus on CALD communities provides a valuable space for cultural exchange.

“You learn from each other, and you have a good relationship with everyone because you have a collective goal,” Nidhi said.

Nidhi hopes that initiatives like the disability reference group will lead to significant outcomes driven by people with disability themselves.

“It comes back to the mantra of ‘nothing about us, without us’,” she said.

Together, Nidhi, the reference group, and Nidhi aim to challenge stereotypes around culture and disability. By increasing awareness of the barriers faced by CALD people with disabilities, the disability reference group aims to develop effective strategies to overcome these challenges.

The reference group will meet every six weeks until June 2025, and its members are excited about the changes they can create over the next year.

Learn about SSI’s range of disability services on our website. You can contact our local area coordination team at:

Phone: 1800 960 975 

Email: ssilac@ndis.gov.au

SSI was one of the first NGOs in Australia to achieve Disability Confident Recruiter status through Australian Disability Network. Read more about SSI’s commitments to diversity and inclusion.