Co-design a disability employment action plan with employers

Rick Kane is the APM Senior Advisor. Rick has over 25 years of experience in disability employment. With a focus on policy development, striving for best practices in person-centred assistance and employer engagement as they are integral to quality service and meaningful employment outcomes. Rick has had significant engagement internationally, examining Australian policy and practices and learning from colleagues around the world.

David has worked as the Policy Manager at Disability Employment Australia since 2016. Previous to this, he was a Program Adviser in the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet Indigenous Affairs Group. David has a strong interest in the improvement of both economic and social outcomes for long-term unemployed, Indigenous Australians and people with disabilities. In his spare time, David is also an avid runner, as well as being a part-time tennis official. David has a Bachelor of Arts in History, Geography and Government, a Graduate Certificate in Case Management and Client Services and a Diploma in Government—Contract Management.

Dani is a Head of Partner Development at Deloitte and a founder of The Field, the first online job platform designed by and for people with disability. Dani is working with APAC’s leading businesses across all sectors, delivering significantly improved organisational results through increased leadership capability, diversity and inclusion. She has consulted deeply in the disability sector for the past 28 years, having been involved in; performance measures for Early Intervention Services and the design and construction of the first playground for all abilities in Australia.

Chiara has 20 years of experience in the fashion retail industry. Starting as a casual team member, she then went on to secure roles in Inventory Management, Field Visual Merchandising and Operations Management. In these roles, she was granted the opportunity to travel to Singapore and Los Angeles, which have been career highlights. Ciara’s involvement in this project is to provide her insights on job crafts and adjustment for people with cognitive disability.

Ayla Regione (she/her) grew up in Adelaide/ Kaurna Country, where her childhood experience of growing up with a profound hearing loss has helped shape the advocacy work she does today. A qualified social worker, she works as a project officer across two projects, Road To Employment and Disability Inclusion, for JFA Purple Orange, a disability advocacy organisation. Ayla is passionate about positive social impact and connection for an equitable world, particularly its intersections with mental health, disability, gender, culture, and other identities. She deeply values people's stories and their power to create positive and meaningful change.