For adults with an intellectual disability, the prospect of finding a
job can be a daunting one. In Australia, the rate of unemployment
for those with a mild intellectual disability is around 35 per cent;
for the rest of the community, it’s 5.4 per cent. Those who fail to
find employment not only lack financial independence, but are also
starved of the additional benefits of heading to work: community,
intellectual engagement and a sense of worth.
Yet, an increasing amount of research suggests that the assumptions
underpinning these dismal employment figures are misguided.
Employees with intellectual disabilities are motivated and eager
to learn, creating a positive impact on businesses by encouraging
creative and unbiased thinking. Employers who bring on intellectually
disabled workers almost universally say they’d do it again.
On New Zealand’s Ka-piti Coast, four young adults have grown tired of
waiting for the world to catch up. “All my life, I’ve struggled to find a
job,” says Janie Martin, 27. “A few months ago, I put out 20 CVs and not
a single person got back to me. That was very frustrating.”
The latest rejection was a turning point for Janie. Together
with three of her closest friends – Cameron Stichbury, Neville
Pugh and Nathan Martin – they decided to create their own
company, the Independence Collective, a tribute to their shared
entrepreneurial spirit. “We’re taking it upon ourselves to make our
own opportunities,” Janie explains. “It’s quite exciting.”Inspired by an ad Neville saw for a homebrew kit, they settled on beer
as the first Independence Collective project. “A lot of people enjoy
beer,” Janie says, “so we figured that was going to be the biggest
market we could get into.” Joining forces with George Duncan – the
head of Duncan’s Brewery, a local craft brewer – the team did a series
of blind taste tests to work out which direction they wanted the beer
to take. Once they’d narrowed it down, they let Duncan loose on the
brewing proper. The result is a crisp pale ale called The Neville. “It’s not
named after him,” the group says, laughing. (“It is!” Neville protests.)The NPA (Neville Pale Ale) is already making a splash. The crew have
been doing the rounds of New Zealand’s print and TV media, and
recently had a visit from the Minister for Commerce. “We’ve been
getting a huge amount of support,” Janie says. “People keep getting in
contact to ask where they can buy the beer, and we’re like, ‘We haven’t
even started the brew yet!’” Perhaps more importantly, they’ve scored
a national deal with one of New Zealand’s biggest liquor outlets,
ensuring that The Neville will soon be available country-wide.If it’s a success, the Collective are eyeing off a second brew called
Jolene, as well as ventures in fashion, chocolate and coffee. (The
hats and t-shirts are already in production.) “We’re hoping this first
thing gets people on board with what we’re trying to do,” Janie says.
“Then we can start growing it.” The dream is to eventually take the
company national and become a leading employer of New Zealand’s
intellectually disabled community. “We want to show other people
with disabilities that they can join us, and we can work together to
take control of our own futures.”However, according to Janie, the Independence Collective isn’t
intended as an activist endeavour. It’s a real business, and a way for the
team to try and build their own financial freedom. If a few stereotypes
can be dismantled along the way, well, all the better. As Janie says:
“The Independence Collective shows that even though we have an
intellectual disability, we’re pretty much just like everyone else.”the independence
collective
FORGET SYMPATHY. THIS GROUP IS
AFTER SOMETHING FAR MORE PRECIOUS:
FINANCIAL INDEPENDENCE.
Wor d s Luke Ryan
PhotoBenjamin Johnsonour project