Technology is rapidly changing in the job market, so having the ability to adapt within the digital landscape is essential. In the past, digital literacy typically encompassed basic computer and word processing skills. Today, however, employees are required to seamlessly navigate a variety of platforms and devices, even when applying for jobs online.
Digital literacy for people living with disability, enhances access to remote work, online education, and professional development, creating pathways to more inclusive and accessible work environments. This is especially crucial in bridging the employment gap for people living with disabilities, enabling them to secure positions to accommodate their needs. However, despite the potential, challenges remain. Accessibility issues, lack of adaptive technologies, cost of technology, and societal biases can hinder the progress of people living with disability in acquiring digital skills. Throughout this blog we highlight the gaps within the current market, as well as outlining how this gap can be closed, leading to increased digital literacy for people living with a disability, and for everyone.
The Role of Digital Literacy in Employment
A 2021 report by RMIT University found that 87% of jobs in Australia require digital literacy skills, while four in five businesses think it’s a priority to adopt new technologies to achieve business goals, a need which will only increase. However, 1 in 4 Australians reported feeling they didn’t have the skills required for the jobs of tomorrow. You can read more about these statistics, here. More Australians are requiring digital skills, such as the ability to quickly learn how to use office software, to enter the workforce and find fulfilling, sustainable employment.
atWork Australia Brand Ambassador, Shaun Pianta, shares, “Digital literacy skills are essential in the modern workforce, across a wide variety of roles – whether you’re working in administration in an office, or operating equipment in a warehouse.”
With digital skills spanning across all industries, it is essential that everyone has access to the support they need to upskill, learn and develop. Not only to have the skills needed to fulfil the position, but to also search for positions in a digital job market.
atWork Australia is that support for many of our clients. We are a leading Employment Services Provider offering tailored employment support for our clients living with disability, disadvantage, injury or health condition via the Disability Employment Services and Workforce Australia programs.
Programs and Initiatives Promoting Digital Literacy
There are a range of supports available to those on their employment journey looking to upskill ahead of securing work. Below are just some of the resources available and digital skills training for people living with disability. More information can be found on atWork Australia’s Digital Skills and Services page, here.
Build your Computer/Typing Skills:
Digital Learn is a platform with training courses on basic computer skills. There are several videos covering topics such as using a Personal Computer (PC), navigating a website and email writing. These courses are self-paced and can be completed anytime.
TypingClub has lessons with an engaging experience including games, videos and challenges to develop your typing skills.
Courses to upskill:
TAFE offers a range of fee-free courses in many career areas such as Business, Aviation, Events, Hospitality and Beauty. These courses are great for upskilling or learning something new in another area. For more information on fee-free courses please click on the relevant link for your state: NSW, VIC, QLD, ACT, SA, WA, TAS.
Job Trainer offers free or very low fee courses to assist you in kick starting a new career.
Microsoft Office 365 Training will assist you with updating and developing your skills to the latest version of MS Office, ready for your next job.
The programs listed above are a great place to start. While they might be your first thought when you think about upskilling, these are not the only options. You can also increase your understanding by completing smaller tasks, everyday tasks. For example, if you are not familiar with online meetings, you can catch up with a friend on a Zoom call, rather than the phone.
Tools and Technologies Supporting Digital Literacy for People Living With Disability
In addition to the supports listed above, if you live with disability there are additional services available to you. These services enable you to access support in gaining tools and technology you need to fulfil your job, or any upcoming positions.
In Australia, there is a range of Government services to support. This includes Employment Services Providers, such as atWork Australia and organisations such as JobAcess. JobAcess offers a range of financial supports to help you with workplace modifications. You can read about their full service offering here.
In most cases adjustments are small, but they make a huge difference in the way employees perform in the workplace. For Brand Ambassador, Shaun, who lives with a vision impairment, his adjustment was a screen reader, allowing him to read the content on his computer screen with a voice synthesizer and/or zoom display. You can learn more about Shaun’s journey to employment in his podcast series, here.
For atWork Australia client, Glenn, with tailored support from atWork Australia, he was guided through the complexities of digital job application systems, including updating his cover letter and resume, managing digital IDs and using modern scanners for work-related tasks. These tools not only facilitated his job search but also equipped him with valuable skills for his role at Australia Post as a delivery driver, where he now efficiently uses a variety of digital devices for his daily role including scanners for parcel distribution. You can learn more about Glenn’s journey, here.
atWork Australia’s Role in Digital Literacy for People Living with Disability
Digital literacy has a large role to play in the employment of Australians, including people living with disability. Throughout this blog we have highlighted the importance of why upskilling is needed, whilst outlining the supports available to you. atWork Australia is here to support you on this journey, offering professional support on employment for people living with disability, injury, illness or health condition. You can check your eligibility for our services here.
Any questions? Get in touch with atWork Australia today.
