Today, December 3, is International Day of People with Disability and Bega APM Disability Employment Services celebrated by throwing a morning tea event for a wonderful community of people who have accessed or been in touch with their services.
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It is an internationally observed day aimed at increasing public awareness, understanding and acceptance of people with disability.
Bec Mackinnon who works for APM in Bega said the morning tea was a special occasion to highlight the diverse community of people she works with on a daily basis.
Their service helps people to access support over an entire year and assists people living with a disability who can often face additional challenges when trying to seek employment due to physical or mental barriers.
"Probably the hardest barrier to overcome for them is taking that first step. Some of them haven't had an interview before or a phone conversation with a potential employer," said Ms Mackinnon.
"We do role plays and get them dressed up to prepare for an interview, so we take little steps at a time. Some people are a little more advanced than others, so we don't need to do that with everyone. Some people have already found a job.
"We don't focus on what they can't do, we focus on what they can do and a lot of people don't realise that they can do a lot, because they do a lot at home, just everyday sort of stuff that they can actually use to gain employment," she said.