Northern Sydney Local Health District’s Employee Resource Network for Disability (ERNoD) is continuing its efforts to increase the presence and voices of people with a disability.

Group member and Royal North Shore Hospital Occupational Therapist Elise Kerle was one of the ERNoD representatives at the recent Australian Network on Disability’s Annual Conference.

Various business leaders, advocates and other experts attended the conference, which examined how accessibility and inclusion can best be promoted and successfully embedded in organisations.

“There was a presentation from the ABC which discussed the representation of people with a disability in the media,” she said. “That resonated with me because as a health service we should be reflecting the community we serve.

“If you look around Royal North Shore Hospital, for example, you will see people in wheelchairs. There’s millions of people around the world with a disability leading successful lives, so having staff here with that lived experience themselves is vital.

“This was a good chance to see what can be implemented to make a positive difference to people’s lives and ensure NSLHD is providing an inclusive workplace for everyone.”

ERNoD is a voluntary, employee-led group which meets bi-monthly to discuss ways to better support people with a disability, as well as their supporters and carers. It was formed as part of the district’s Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging Strategy 2020-22.

Planned activities include further promotion around this year’s International Day of People with Disability, which takes place on December 3 and aims to increase public awareness and understanding of people with a disability.

“More than four million people in Australia – so about 20 per cent - have some form of disability, but I think there’s only about three per cent within NSLHD who identify as disabled,” Elise said.

“We must ensure we create opportunities for people who identify as disabled to feel comfortable working here.”

Elise said the group is always looking for new members. It is open to people at NSLHD with a disability, carers of people with a disability or advocates for the employment of people with a disability.