A few weeks ago in a ‘Diversity in Business’ class we discussed the historical disadvantage people with a disability experience with regards to workforce participation. As an area of interest to me, some of the statistics explored were quite surprising. So you can imagine the potential for the creation of jobs that a partnership between Uber, the ride-sharing car service provider and Enabled Employment, an Australian start-up operated by people with disability for people with disability, may have. Uber is hoping the partnership will not only help Enabled Employment members find income opportunities, but also encourage the 53 per cent of disabled people with a driving licence to consider driving on the Uber platform.
“Uber is a big believer in diversity and are already challenging the stigma by offering an extension to their app which accounts for people with difficulties in hearing or speaking. This opens up a world of opportunities for people with disabilities to earn a flexible income as Uber-partners”, Enabled Employment CEO Jessica May said. “Uber offers flexible options for people with disabilities and their carers to get back into the workforce, which is what is needed to increase diversity. As long as the requirements for Uber are met, people can be their own boss, work when they want, including around medical appointments or their limitations, and still earn a decent wage.”
Uber may be facing controversy with regards to its business model, with the taxi industry particularly vocal about it’s practices, but this is a good initiative that will likely be considered a step in the right direction to the four million people in Australia who live with a disability.
http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2015/09/24/disabled-drivers-get-behind-wheel-uber
https://probonoaustralia.com.au/news/2015/11/young-people-facing-intense-employment-pressure-report/
– Peter Williams –
Lecturer: Avondale Business School
email: [email protected]
phone: 02 4980 2175