Affiliations: Ability Tasmania Group, Inc., Devonport, Tasmania, Australia | TransCen, Inc., Rockville, MD, USA
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Peter Symonds, General Manager, Ability Tasmania Group Inc., 33 Forbes Street, Devonport, Tasmania 7310, Australia. Tel.: +61 03 64234333; Fax: +61 03 64232444; +61 0418137980; www.abilityemployment.com.au; E-mail: peter.symonds@abilityemployment.com.au
Abstract: Much of the advent and development of integrated and supported employment in Australia, or Open Employment as it is called, mirrors that of other English speaking countries, particularly the U.S. However, there are critical distinctions that are reflective of Australia's labour laws, disability employment funding history, and evolving disability policy. While there continue to be strong models of Open Employment service delivery, government policy and changes in the generic employment centre system are threatening the expansion, indeed even the nature, of Open Employment as an option for people with significant disabilities. The authors discuss the implications of these trends.
Keywords: Disability, employment, Australia, government policy
