Employment serves as our primary opportunity for economic independence and regular human interaction. At its core, employment can be something even greater. The chance to be a part of something bigger than ourselves; to create the connection and purpose we seek in our lives and propel our society forwards.
Whilst many people with disability seek this independence and connection, the current structures of our working society lock people out of these fundamental opportunities, due to inherent bias, and a series of systems that focus on limitations, rather than potential.
As the sister of a proud deaf man, I’ve had the immense privilege to witness the world expand when the right structures and supports are put in place to unlock a person’s limitless potential. Their skills, talents, experience and unique perspective, light the world and the workplace with colour and joy. Not to mention, innovative products that the world and our economy need.
Historically, people with disability have been segregated in our workplaces, education and in housing. The Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability exposed the vast tragedies that occur when segregation is prevalent.
In Australia, the unemployment rate for people with disability is double that of people without disability, and that statistic hasn’t changed in over 30 years, despite the strategies that have been put in place by our government and industry.
These statistics and stories are the necessary call to action to forge a new path forward.
All Things Equal is a social enterprise empowering people with disability through award-wage employment, purposeful training, and pathways to rewarding careers in hospitality. We exist to bridge the gap between people with disability and the wider community. In four short years, we have created award wage employment for 31 people with disability, paid over $475,000 in award wages, and seen nine trainees secure employment with mainstream employers.
Our vibrant Melbourne-style social enterprise café is the heart of our mission, staffed by a talented all-abilities team. Within this supportive hospitality environment, trainees gain essential transferable skills, build confidence in communication, and foster meaningful community connections. More than just a café, it’s a living example of what’s possible when businesses shift from asking why to how they can create truly inclusive workplaces.
Our programs innovatively utilise the NDIS to focus on building independence, confidence and readiness for the workforce, ensuring our trainees are equipped to thrive in their future careers.
We seek out exceptional experiences for our people, which in 2025 included our featured outlet at the Australian Open, creating over 325 hours of award wage employment in two weeks. Our next step is to create opportunities for long term careers in progressive workplaces like The W Hotel, and open a second cafe, so that we can open up spots in our program for our next round of trainees.
With the upcoming release of our industry whitepaper, Equal Opportunity: A Blueprint for Disability Employment in Hospitality, we’re equipping businesses with practical steps to make inclusive hiring a reality. This report outlines how hospitality businesses can implement meaningful employment pathways that benefit both workers and the industry.
Sarina is a back of house trainee at ATE, and a proud autistic woman. For almost eight years, Sarina was unsuccessful in securing a job because in her words, “employers did not want to give autistic people a chance”. Coming to All Things Equal, Sarina participated in our introduction program, providing her first exposure to hospitality, and quickly secured her first award wage job. Sarina has gone from strength to strength, working in our busy Balaclava kitchen and in a customer-facing role at the Australian Open. Sarina loves acting, dancing and singing on stage, and her goal is to save for “a house, marriage and kids.”
In my experience as the CEO of All Things Equal, and the co-founder of GingerSnap Patisserie with my brother Brett, active allyship of course means using one’s voice. It also means determining how to use your own skills and talents to serve the mission, and elevate the skills and talents of the group of people you seek to serve. My role is to be unwaveringly motivated to change the way our society views and includes the limitless potential of people with disability.
Disability representation matters. In our local communities, at work and in leadership. Our workplaces must reflect the communities we live in. While there is a lack of clear goals in place in the industry, All Things Equal wants to use our small but mighty energy and enthusiasm to help set more aspirational goals for a sector that seeks to serve our most underrepresented, but arguably most untapped, source of talent and potential.
In the words of Paulo Coelho and The Alchemist, when you find your true purpose, the universe conspires for you to achieve it. I can feel the momentum building behind All Things Equal and GingerSnap Patisserie, and I invite anyone that shares our passion to think about the impact your work can have on meaningful employment for people with disability. The opportunities are truly limitless.
