SPECIAL REPORT
Opportunities not Barriers for the Australian Construction Industry: Yes, wheelchair users can work in construction. Let’s see this as an opportunity by Jonathan Fritsch
James* has always been interested in construction. His interest stems from his family’s involvement within the industry. He wants to follow in his family’s footsteps and study Construction Management. However, James is in a wheelchair, born with a physical disability called Spina Bifida. He fears that his disability will be a barrier to employment and preclude him from working in the construction industry. He wonders if it’s at all possible to work in the industry as a wheelchair user. For an industry that is heavily reliant on job functions that need you to climb up ladders, work in confined spaces and from heights, it would seem an inaccessible industry for James to work in. This image of the construction industry not suited to people with disability is constantly put forward. But it’s false - there are many opportunities in construction industry for people with disability. In 2018, it was estimated that construction industry employment reached over 1,130,200, and of these, only 91,600 people with disability were employed (ABS 2018). Current data fails to show a more specific employment picture but remember, disability is not black and white, not everyone with Spina Bifida uses wheelchairs, and not everyone who uses a wheelchair has Spina Bifida. This number would cover types like sensory, intellectual, mental and on topic physical disabilities. The underrepresentation of people with disability in the Australian construction industry suggests that there’s room for improvement. 22
Construction Engineering Australia • Jul/Aug 2020
Research into disability and construction are scant, but a 2019 study sheds some insight into the barriers that people with disability face when trying to find employment in the construction industry. The study surveyed those who make recruitment decisions in construction subcontracting firms. It revealed that people who recruit prioritise those they perceive to have the lowest barriers. People with disability were ranked second highest in perceived barriers among the six disadvantaged groups in the sample. Construction employers perceived people with disability to be incapable of working long hours, needing a modifying workplace, having health needs and adding costs to training. Because of these perceived barriers, people with disability were ranked second to last in order of hiring priority among the six disadvantaged groups in their sample (Loosemore et al. 2019). Construction employers perpetuated the view that people with disability are incapable of contributing productively to the labour force. Underestimating the experiences and capabilities of people with disability creates an unjust barrier to employment and is one of the primary reasons for the lower participation rates and underemployment of people with disability in the workforce (Bonaccio et al. 2019). In Australia, there are very few construction industry firms actively involved in breaking down these barriers. Australian construction firm Lendlease appears to be leading the way when it comes to diversity and inclusion in the industry. Showing a huge focus on
