The Cookie Project co-founder, Eric Chuah, on the disability barrier in work

People with disabilities face so many challenges when they look for a job. First and foremost, they face social stigma because a lot of people have a misunderstanding about what people with disabilities can do; they focus on what they can't do instead of focusing on what they can do.

The second challenge is that the employment and recruitment framework needs to change in New Zealand. Asking questions like “Do you have a disability?” and “What are your medications?” is actually a roadblock, and a lot of employers will cut off the candidate simply because they have a disability.

We do have organisations out there, though - shout out to Sudima Hotels. The way they do employment is really impressive; as soon as you mention that you have a disability, you go straight through to interview rounds rather than being shortlisted out.

The third challenge people with disabilities face comes down to the very popular corporate term “unconscious bias” or “implicit bias.” It’s really sad to see that many recruitment managers hold this implicit bias about people with disabilities, again focusing on what they can't do instead of what they can.

We’re here to show everyone that people with disabilities can do amazing work, and you can see just behind here some of these amazing people, from Amy to Aaron to Lawrence. You will be amazed.