‘Family' of workmates in warehouse

Disability Works Australia (DWA) operates to assist in ensuring employers have the right person for the job because people with disabilities can be all ages and have all sorts of abilities.

DWA has an agreement with large industrial hardware suppliers Selectrix Industries. This partnership has resulted in a pilot program which has seen two people with a disability employed at the company's Melbourne warehouse.

Feedback from Selectrix Industries staff was that Matthew Crosina and Barry Were fitted in perfectly with the team at the Selectrix warehouse and this has satisfied DWA staff that good job matches were made.

Matthew, who suffers from depression, was referred to DWA for the warehouse assistant job by his Disability Employment Network provider, Northstar and has been working at the warehouse, where he completes a range of tasks.

“For example today I have been making up orders, which includes drilling holes and putting parts together, then picking up orders and this afternoon I have been helping the guys at the front counter on the computer.

“I like being able to help them pump more orders out if the pressure is on,” Matthew said.

He said he has formed good friendships with his workmates and the team were like “brothers”.

“If they see I am down about something, they will stop and ask if I need to talk even if we are really busy,” Matthew said.

Barry has been working in the warehouse for about six months and also enjoys the interaction with the other staff there.

He is “nearing retirement” and has physical disabilities that restrict his work options.

The father of two, who works full-time hours but is employed as a casual, said the warehouse was close to home and the other staff were very easy to get along with.

“If I lift too much I start loosing my breath and my workmates tell me to ease up because they don't want to have to give me mouth to mouth,” Barry joked.

No modifications were needed to accommodate either staff member's disability but his part time hours allow Matthew to attend doctor's appointments if necessary.