“To be able to work, you’ve got to get accepted first and that’s the biggest barrier.”
Tayla’s openness and determination are just two of the qualities she brought to her successful journey to employment with APM Employment Services.
Living with cerebral palsy finding a good job in a workplace where she was accepted as a member of the team wasn’t easy.
After several poor experiences in workplaces and being rejected by other potential employers, Tayla, like many job seekers, also faced challenges to her mental health and self-confidence.
When she approached APM Employment Services for support, the 24-year-old was feeling down about her chances of finding a good job.
“After a couple of years of being in a state of depression, from that, and not feeling as though I was able or wanted as a worker,” Tayla says.
“In the last few months of last year I decided that I was just going to give it a go.”
Her self-proclaimed stubbornness was what she says motivated her to try again.
“Being stubborn and saying ‘you know what I can get my own job, I can do this’, that’s the point I was at,” Tayla says.
“I decided when I applied at Respect that I didn’t want to be burned again so I wanted help.”
“Tayla's so charismatic, she can get along with anybody” – Emily
Read a full transcript of this video.
Determined and dedicated
When she approached APM Employment Services in Wangaratta, Tayla was determined to succeed.
“My first impressions of Tayla were that she's a really, really down to earth person and she was really, really keen to get into her job,” says Emily, Tayla’s dedicated employment consultant.
“She's very articulate in the way she spoke - very, very intelligent woman.”
Working together, Emily helped Tayla with her job searching strategy, looking at a range of roles in different industries and tailoring her applications.
Eligible for support through the Disability Employment Services program, Tayla had a personalised job plan to boost her confidence and search for jobs suitable for her capacity to work.
She soon applied for jobs herself and identified a role with St. John’s Respect aged care centre as an ideal opportunity.
After her application for a laundry assistant led her to an interview, Tayla’s approach and attitude helped her successfully land the job.
“With nursing we’re always taught to see the person, not the disability or the disease - so I just saw Tayla as a young lady that was looking for a position,” Tayla’s employer Margaret says.
In her role, Tayla delivers and organises laundry for each other residents each day, conscientiously straightening their wardrobes as she goes.
She has found the level of social interaction and solo autonomous work is an ideal balance for her.
Although the muscle stiffness from cerebral palsy does affect her movement and balance, she finds she can pace herself well enough.
“I may take a little more time or I might not be able to do certain things, but the everything else that I do, I do with self-respect for what I would like done with my things,” Tayla said.
“I don’t think my boss sees me as any different to anybody else” - Tayla
An asset to her workplace
As she started her new job, Tayla’s support from APM continued and Emily was there to offer guidance.
“I was calling her quite often before she got started” Emily says.
“I'd call her before a shift just to make sure she was okay."
“She's progressed so far in this employment. We speak to each other every now and again to check in - she's doing really well,” Emily adds.
And it didn’t take long for Tayla’s colleagues, and residents at the centre to warm to her.
“She's a real asset and a delight to work with,” Margaret says.
“You see very much her ability rather than her disability.”
Tayla’s role has seen her progress swiftly along the road to further independence – moving into her own unit, along with saving for a new car.
Now and in the future, she knows she has a great support network for whatever she needs on her path to success.
“She's very articulate in the way she spoke - very, very intelligent woman” - Emily
Are you eligible for Disability Employment Services?
You can join APM for Disability Employment Services through Centrelink.
When you visit Centrelink, they carry out an employment assessment and if you're eligible, they will recommend you to a Disability Employment Services provider. Remember to ask to join APM so you get the best service when searching for employment.
To be eligible for Disability Employment Services, you must be:
- An Australian resident aged from at least 14 to pension age
- Receiving an income support payment, disability support pension, an NDIS participant or an eligible school leaver
- Able to work between eight to 30 hours per week (with support when required)
- Not studying full time (unless you’re an eligible school leaver)
- Not already working at or above your assessed work capacity
If you're already receiving an income support payment, you can also register with us directly.
If you’re with another provider, but would like to change to APM, contact us and our teams will be happy to speak to you.
When you visit Centrelink, they carry out an employment assessment and if you are eligible, they will recommend you to a Disability Employment Services provider.
Remember to ask to join APM so you get the best service when searching for employment.
If you’re with another Disability Employment Services provider, but would like to change to APM, contact us and our teams will be happy to speak to you.
Frequently asked questions
APM is the largest provider of Disability Employment Services in Australia.
With more than 500 locations across the country we help more people into work than anyone else.
We know how hard it is to find work when you’re facing other challenges. We don’t just want you to find a job, we want to help you change your life for the better.
When you come to APM we get to know you so we can help you get the support that’s right for you.
We help you set realistic goals and keep you focused on finding a job that works for you.
There’s a job out there for you.
Let’s go find it.
Disability Employment Services (DES) is an initiative by the Australian Government to help people with an injury, illness or disability find and keep a job.
This can include helping people to:
- manage health issues that may be making it hard to get work
- identifying their strengths and work capabilities
- developing skills for jobs and being part of a workplace
- succeed when they start a new job with further information and support
APM is Australia’s largest contracted provider of Disability Employment Services and we deliver support programs to eligible people across the country.
You can join APM for Disability Employment Services through Centrelink.
When you visit Centrelink, they carry out an employment assessment and if you're eligible, they will recommend you to a Disability Employment Services provider. Remember to ask to join APM so you get the best service when searching for employment.
To be eligible for Disability Employment Services, you must be:
- An Australian resident aged from at least 14 to pension age
- Receiving an income support payment, disability support pension, an NDIS participant or an eligible school leaver
- Able to work between eight to 30 hours per week (with support when required)
- Not studying full time (unless you’re an eligible school leaver)
- Not already working at or above your assessed work capacity
If you're already receiving an income support payment, you can also register with us directly.
If you’re with another provider, but would like to change to APM, contact us and our teams will be happy to speak to you.
When you register with APM for Disability Employment Services, we will contact you to confirm your eligibility and invite you for your first appointment.
You will get a local employment consultant who knows the employers, businesses and job opportunities near you.
They will listen to you and build a plan that takes into account your health, personal circumstances, interests and any skills or experience you may have.
Your plan will be unique to you and include steps to help with:
- Building your confidence
- Writing your resume and job applications
- Searching for suitable jobs with potential employers
- Preparing for interviews
- Access to services to manage health issues or barriers to work
With APM, you get the support, you get the skills and you get the rewards of having a valuable job.
Don’t miss out on a program made just for you, by one of Australia’s best-rated providers.
APM has some of the highest job placement rates in the country.
You can transfer to your nearest APM team in three easy steps:
- Call the National Customer Service Line on 1800 805 260
- Ask to transfer to APM
- Accept our invite to your first meeting
Join the thousands of APM job seekers who change their lives every year by finding valuable employment.
APM is Australia's largest provider of Disability Employment Services and we have more than 500 locations nationwide.
You can find your nearest APM team on our find us page.
There are jobs out there.
We can help you find them.