Facing the world of work is daunting for anyone when they finish school and look for their first job.
For Jarryd, and thousands of other young Australians every year, this next step in his life was made even more challenging due to his autism.
Eight years ago, an accident at work in a hospital crushed her left hand, resulting in lasting damage and restricted use of her hand. In the years that followed, Sharon struggled to find another job where employers would give her a chance. Then she met the team at APM.
Finding an employer who could see past his Tourette's was a real challenge for Joseph.
“As soon as they hear Tourette’s they think the worst and they think I can’t do the job. And they really don’t just give me a chance," he said. But with APM's help, Joseph was able to find the workplace where he would be a valuable and popular member of the team and get the support he needed to maintain his employment.
Chanay was 16 when she discovered the hearing bones inside her ears were being eaten away by a disease.
Like anyone, the loss of hearing and medical procedures that followed took their toll on the teenager.
“I was really unhappy, I didn’t want to go anywhere or do anything.” Then Chanay came to APM Employment Services...
Previously a business owner in the mining industry, Patrick, 43, said he had never had to search for work until after he became a quadriplegic and lost all function in his body from his neck down.
It has been 13 years since he broke his neck after falling from a rope swing into a river during a hot summer’s day off work with mates.
“I drowned at the scene. I was clinically dead a few times,” he said.
When a devastating back injury left him unable to work, Jeff soon lost his home, his relationship with his partner and found himself struggling with depression.
But no matter how difficult life got, the 64-year-old former labourer was determined to find work and move forward.
“You get so down. Everything seems like there’s a brick wall in the way and you can’t get through it,” Jeff said.
Emma knew she would need a flexible employer and a role that would help her continue to manage her health conditions.
Living with a kidney disease alongside anxiety and depression, Emma was eager to find something worth getting out of bed every morning for and something to give her purpose. After working with APM through the Disability Employment Services program, Emma was able to find a job with a flexible employer and she's now thriving in a new role she really enjoys.
Pat has a job that makes him feel like a superstar.
As a lively, friendly face in the cafe at the Warragul Country Club, Pat is a popular member of the team.
With his enthusiasm and positive approach to his job, it's clear Pat isn't going to let the challenge of living with an intellectual disability stop him from working.
Maddy knows something about overcoming a challenge.
Growing up with cerebral palsy, an intellectual disability and epilepsy wasn’t easy.
But when it came to finding a job Maddy and her parents thought they wouldn’t find many opportunities. Then Maddy joined APM.
Held back by depression and anxiety, Dan struggled to find work.
Then he joined APM, and everything started to change.
Trapped by anxiety and depression, Cristian was unemployed for 10 years.
Despite joining other job support services he had been unable to find a way to improve his life.
Then Cristian met Rita, an APM employment consultant, and things quickly started to change.
When Tansy was just three weeks old, a stroke damaged the left hemisphere of her brain. The lasting impact meant Tansy grew up with the restricted use of her right eye, arm and leg.
Unfortunately to some employers, Tansy was only useful as long as their six month subsidy for hiring a person with disability lasted.
Then Tansy joined APM…
Caley has plenty of goals he wants to kick.
As a popular member of staff in the Woolworths produce department, Caley says starting his job has got him over his biggest hurdle.
Diagnosed with autism and cerebral palsy, Caley knows all about the challenges of find work he can perform and that he enjoys.
Call 1300 276 456 to speak to an APM Jobactive consultant now