First Jobs and Big Futures: Supporting Young People with Disability into Work

The good news is there’s no “perfect time” to start. And you don’t have to figure it out alone.

This is about taking it step by step, in a way that feels right for you.

Our youth services team is here to help you explore jobs, build work skills and move towards employment.  Our youth services teams are led by a youth lead practitioner, who brings together occupational therapists, speech pathologists, physiotherapists, behaviour support practitioners, habit coaches and employment professionals to help you achieve your goals. 

It Starts With Understanding You 

Before thinking about jobs, interviews, or resumes, it helps to understand one simple thing: Who are you and what helps you do your best? 

Everyone works differently. Some people like routine. Some need variety. Some need quiet spaces. Some need clear instructions or extra time to learn new things. 

A vocational assessment is a way of exploring this together. It’s focused on you as a person, not just your skills on paper.  A vocational assessment is a person centered, work focussed assessment that goes beyond job skills which explores: 

• What you’re good at  
• What you enjoy  
• What feels hard or overwhelming  
• What kind of environment helps you succeed  

It’s not a test, and there are no right or wrong answers. 

At the end, you walk away with a clear, simple profile that explains: 

• Your strengths and skills  
• The kinds of work environments and conditions where you are most likely to succeed  
• What motivates and drives you 
• The supports or adjustments that help you do your best  
• Potential job pathways that match your goals  

Think of it as a starting map for your work journey.ps together to help adolescence and young adults explore work, build new skills and shape their future with confidence.

Building Everyday Work Skills, With the Right Adjustments

Many young people living with a disability can absolutely do paid work. Sometimes they just need a bit of support to learn skills that workplaces often expect people to already know.  

Our youth lead practitioners support young people to work towards goals in work, study and everyday life. They coordinate the youth team, develop your plan, deliver services, and bring in the right professionals when needed so everything works together.  

They can help build skills like: 

• Planning and organisation (executive functioning): things like managing time, following instructions and staying organised can feel harder for some young people. We use practical supports like visual schedules, reminders, and step by step practice to make these tasks more manageable.  
• Daily routines and personal care: Things like getting ready for work or maintaining routines can be affected by sensory needs, anxiety or motor skills. We can break these down into small, achievable steps and build routines that feel realistic and manageable. 

The focus is not on “changing” the young person. It’s about finding strategies that work with their body, brain and environment. 

If more intensive support is needed, our employment program provides one on one support with an employment coach. ut on finding ways to do things that work with their body, brain and environment.

Communication, Self-advocacy and Feeling Safe at Work

Communication at work is more than just chatting with others. It includes knowing how to ask for help, understand expectations, and speak up when something is hard.  Some young people living with a disability can benefit from support to:  

• Understand “unwritten” workplace rules, like how to interact with colleagues or when to ask questions  
• Ask for help when they need it  
• Let someone know when they are feeling overwhelmed  
• Explain what supports or adjustments help them do their best. 

Making Workplaces Accessible and Sustainable

Under the social model of disability, barriers often come from the environment, not the person. When the environment is a better fit, work becomes more possible and less stressful. The goal is to reduce pressure on the young person so they’re not using all their energy just to get through the day. 

Our team support this by:  

• Looking at the workplace 
• Identifying reasonable adjustments that can make a big difference, such as assistive technology, sensory-friendly changes, alternative communication methods or flexible hours. 
• Working with employers, families and support coordinators to put these adjustments in place 

With the right supports, adjustments and expectations, young people can build work skills in a way that feels manageable, protects their wellbeing and builds genuine independence over time.  

Our youth lead practitioners help young people develop confidence by practising these skills in a safe, low‑pressure space before using them in real‑world work or volunteer environments.

If more intensive support is needed, our employment program provides one on one support with an employment coach to help you build these skills. 

Navigating NDIS and Employment Pathways

Families often tell us that the NDIS can feel confusing, especially when you’re trying to figure how it connects to work and future goals.  

Our youth lead practitioners can help you to identify work and vocational goals and add them to your NDIS plan.  They can also help you to access employment supports funding if you don’t already have it. h everyone on the same page, you will receive clear direction and consistent support to help you make the most of your NDIS funded supports.

Ready to Help Your Young Person Take Their Next Steps Into Work

If the young person in your life is aged 15–24 years and thinking about work, they don’t have to figure it out alone.  Our youth services team help young people build confidence, skills and clear next steps towards work and adult independence. 

We also work with employers to create more inclusive workplaces, so young person can find roles where they are supported to succeed.  

Every young person has strengths and goals. We’re here to turn those into real opportunities.