The drive was launched at Cessnock City Council chambers on Monday where the benefits of employing a person with a disability were emphasised.

The initiative’s local employment co-ordinator Jack Ritchie said there were more than 700 clients of disability employment service providers in the Maitland and Cessnock area.

“For many employers there still remains an uncertainty and reluctance about employing someone with a disability,” he said.

“Our challenge, not just for the month of April but at every opportunity, is to get the positive message out to the broader business community that employing people with a disability makes good business sense.”

The drive is funded by the federal government’s Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations through the Local Employment Co-ordinator Flexible Funding Pool.

Disability employment service providers Advanced Personnel Management, Castle Personnel Services Ltd, CRS Australia and Hunter LabourForce Solutions are supporting the initiative.

Mr Ritchie said people with a disability who were employed had lower levels of absenteeism, took less sick leave, enhanced teamwork within the organisation and offered lower employee turnover.

“These advantages are all confirmed in Australian and international studies,” he said.

Mr Ritchie said the federal government contributed to the financial costs of workplace modifications including providing a wage subsidy, assisting with disability awareness training, Auslan (sign language) interpreting or a supported wage system.

“The disability employment service providers that attended the launch are part of a national network of organisations funded by the federal government to help employers recruit and retain employees with a disability.

“They also provide professional recruitment advice, can help with job design for employees with a disability, provide on-the-job support and help employees maintain their employment.”