Room for All - S2 E10 - Jenny Crosbie

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Innovations in Disability Employment: An Insightful Discussion with Dr. Jenny Crosbie

Join co-hosts Andrea Comastri and Saraya O'Connell from Hotel Etico as they welcome Dr. Jenny Crosbie, a principal industry fellow at the Centre for Social Impact at Swinburne University, to discuss the WISE (Work Integration Social Enterprises) model and the unique WISEability model. The conversation includes an in-depth look at social enterprises, the evolution and funding of supported employment in Australia, and the importance of bridging the employment gap for people with intellectual disabilities. The discussion also highlights the live-in component of the Hotel Etico training program, further emphasizing the importance of independent living skills. There's a call for systemic change and collaboration to uplift existing disability infrastructures for better employment outcomes. This episode is packed with valuable insights for anyone passionate about social justice and disability employment.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

02:38 Meet Dr. Jenny Crosbie

03:28 The WISE Model and Social Enterprises

04:15 Jenny's Background and Passion for Social Justice

09:02 Challenges in Disability Employment

14:18 Segregated Education and Employment

20:24 Defining WISE and Wiseability

29:22 Adapting the WISE Model for Intellectual Disabilities

30:43 Challenges in Disability Employment

31:46 School Leaver Employment Support Programs

33:27 In Situ Learning and Training

34:41 Success Stories and Personal Journeys

36:22 Structured Pathways and Customization

40:38 Replicating and Scaling Employment Models

48:42 Funding and Sustainability of WISE Models

53:58 Future Directions and International Perspectives