Guide Dogs NSW/ACT launches campaign for inclusive workplaces

Guide Dogs NSW/ACT has launched an inclusive employment campaign, calling on employers to sign a pledge committing to accessible and inclusive recruitment and workplace practices, helping create a movement of systemic change.

Just under a quarter of Australians with blindness or low vision have access to full-time employment, a gap caused by outdated employment processes and systems, according to Tamara Searant, General Manager, Social Change at Guide Dogs NSW/ACT.

The comments come as the nation marks Inclusion at Work Week (17-21 November, 2025).

Minister for Disability Inclusion Kate Washington said “inclusive and accessible workplaces are winners! By employing people with disability, harnessing their skills, resilience and adaptability, organisations gain the benefit of increased engagement and productivity. I welcome the work of Guide Dogs NSW/ACT, increasing employment opportunities for the one in five people with disability in NSW is a tangible action employers can commit to today.”

“People with blindness or low vision face barriers at almost every stage of employment, from job applications to workplace accessibility,” Tamara said

”Exclusionary workplaces, inaccessible technology, and negative attitudes continue to block skilled Australians from accessing meaningful employment,” Tamara said.

Daniel Searle, qualified physiotherapist and lived experience advocate, knows these barriers firsthand. He lost his sight suddenly at 16, learned to use assistive tech, and completed high school with support from Guide Dogs.

“Even after graduating and building a career spanning private practice, aged care, public health, and sports, I still get asked in interviews if I can use a computer,” Daniel said.

“People focus on what they think I can’t do, instead of asking how I do things differently. Inclusive employment means recognising diverse problem-solving, resilience, and adaptability. When workplaces ask what can be done to help someone succeed, everyone benefits.”

“We need to ensure accessibility is built into the foundation of recruitment and work systems, not treated as an afterthought,” said Tamara.

The rise of AI-driven recruitment tools and intensifying job competition makes the issue even more urgent, leaving job seekers with disabilities particularly vulnerable to algorithmic bias and inaccessible technology.

Guide Dogs NSW/ACT envisions a future where inclusion is the default, and all Australians can access, contribute to, and succeed in the workplace.

About Guide Dogs

Guide Dogs NSW/ACT, in collaboration with its state and territory-based organisations, delivers essential services to children, teenagers, adults, and older Australians with blindness or low vision.

Guide Dogs’ mission is to assist people with blindness or low vision to gain the freedom and independence to move safely and confidently around their communities. For more information visit the Guide Dogs NSW/ACT website.