Nationwide storytelling project Change the Story launches

Lights, camera, action!

CoAct and our Service Partners are excited to launch our online film festival and free cinema events as part of a new nationwide storytelling project, Change the Story.

Through seven short films, the project follows people across Australia who are changing the story around disability employment. It’s a look into what navigating the world of work means through the eyes of people with disability, employers and frontline workers.

Watch the trailer

You’re invited to Change the Story!

Change the Story will be visiting selected local cinemas throughout April – May 2019 to celebrate ability and show how sustainable, meaningful employment can change lives. Guests will enjoy a free screening of a new-release feature film and watch a selection of the Change the Story short films. Expert local employment consultants will also be on hand to provide advice and information on Disability Employment Services.

Change the Story is also available to watch on Youtube.

Breaking down stereotypes

CoAct CEO, Matt Little, says the seven films are aimed at breaking down the stereotypes of what ability means and show the flood of positive flow-on effects that come with disability employment.

When we change the story as a society to focus on ability, choose inclusion and celebrate diversity, we open a world of opportunity, not just in people’s lives but in the whole community.

Changing the story around disability employment

2.2 million Australians are of working-age living with disability yet are significantly under-represented in the workforce. Add to that, the employment rate for people with disability is increasing, and is almost half compared to those without disability.

For people with profound or severe disability aged 15-64, the unemployment rate increased from 10.3 percent in 2012 to 13.7 percent in 2015, and labour force participation dropped from 31.3 percent to 25 percent.^[1]

CoAct and our Service Partners are working to reverse this trend by engaging local communities in the Change the Story project. The goal is to help shift thinking of individuals, employers and communities, so that embracing differing levels of ability in the workplace becomes the norm, not the exception.

Join us in the movement for change in disability employment

Together, we can change the story. If you or someone you know would like to learn more about disability employment, join us at a local Change the Story event near you!

Tickets to each event are now sold out.

You can still get involved! Watch the films online.

In collaboration with CoAct Service Partners

Change the Story is a collaboration with the following CoAct Service Partners:

• CHESS Connect
• Community Solutions
• MTC Australia
• SkillsPlus
• VisAbility
• Worklink
• Youth Projects

For more information view our Change the Story Project page.