What people say about us
Hear from our Candidates
I was introduced to HDN through my provider WorkPower when I was looking for work in hospitality. Finding a job can be really overwhelming, especially when you don’t know if employers will understand your needs or give you a fair go. HDN took the stress out of it. They worked with me to find a job that suited my strengths and made sure my employer was disability-confident and supportive.
Thanks to HDN, I secured a job at Optus Stadium, which has been an amazing experience. With their ongoing support and growing confidence, I’ve been promoted to Supervisor and, through HDN, have also taken on more work at HBF Stadium and The Waverley Brewhouse. These opportunities have given me independence, financial stability, and the confidence to keep building my career.
This isn’t just about work, it’s about how much my life has changed. Having a stable job and a great support system has given me more confidence, a routine, and a real sense of purpose. My family has also seen the difference, it’s taken away so much stress knowing that I’m in a workplace where I’m valued and supported.
What makes HDN special is that they don’t just help people find jobs, they set us up for long-term success. They also support businesses, making sure they have the knowledge and confidence to hire people with disabilities. Their work is changing lives, and I’m so grateful to be part of it.
I still work closely with HDN and will soon be featured in a video about job opportunities at Optus Stadium. I want more people to see that there are real career pathways in hospitality for people with disabilities, and that with the right support, you can achieve so much.
HDN has truly changed my life, and I know they’re doing the same for so many others.
Eliza Bain
The purpose of connecting with HDN was to find an organisation that could work with us to support our adult son, Bryn, to find meaningful employment that would make a significant difference to him in his life journey.
In connecting with HDN we immediately became aware of their amazing approach to support Bryn to achieve his employment outcomes. From our first meeting they showed a capacity to listen and know the individual story and needs of a person with a disability and their carer. They displayed a deep understanding of disability and its impact in relation to the workplace and home life. They showed professional knowledge and expertise with regard to the Hospitality Industry and have demonstrated the capacity to develop workplace routines that support productivity and success in the workplace for a person with disability.
For Bryn, routine work and sleep patterns are essential for his whole wellbeing and long-term participation in the workplace. With this participation his learning and productivity grows: without it the opposite occurs. HDN has spent time with Bryn to understand the type of work and routine that will enable him over the long-term to independently manage his participation in a workplace which brings him personal satisfaction and a regular income.
The impact of this for Bryn is that it has brought him personal dignity, respect, a pathway towards financial security, collegiality and a framework on which we see him now building personal goals and plans. So much of our participation in society is predicted on having a working life and the income and stories that flow from it. The work of HDN has supported Bryn to have this. Employment in work which makes use of Bryn’s abilities and adapts to manage areas of his disability has seen him growing in confidence, purpose, self-esteem and independent life skills. This flows into the positive interactions with family, friends and community
The impact of the values of HDN are seen in their open communication. HDN encourages Bryn to be involved in every step of his employment. They listen to his ideas and goals, working to see his journey from his perspective, always providing an honest, fair response. Bryn is now taking steps to independently communicate with HDN about his work. A significant outcome for Bryn for whom communication is a major part of his disability.
The impact for myself as a parent is the mental and physical release that comes from my son now ‘enabled’ by an informed and well-supported work placement: an outcome of HDN’s work. The inclusive and respectful approach from HDN allows me to be involved and connected with Bryn’s employment journey without feeling overwhelmed and exhausted. I am better able to maintain my health, work and social wellbeing and have a little more time to be mother, wife and friend. HDN has made a difference.
Aly & Bryn Matthews
Hear from our Providers
HDNWA has been wonderful in meeting our participants, taking the time to interview them with great and patient questioning to not only to help place them in employment, but to ensure they are placed in an appropriate role with the support and adjustments through their relationships with partners securing ongoing work security.
We’ve now placed several workers in employment through HDNWA’s stewardship, and each one has had a meaningful experience. I count myself lucky to have their support and guidance when I encounter participants with hospitality employment goals, and will continue to use their services hopefully for years to come.
John Holdcroft
Workpower Inc
Hear from our Members
What we witnessed yesterday was a powerful reminder that it truly takes a community , a dedicated tribe to create meaningful employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
The impact we’ve seen wouldn’t be possible without the incredible support, guidance, and collaboration from the team at HDNWA. Their commitment to inclusion and their hands-on approach have made a real difference, not just for the individuals they support, but for our business as well.
We’re proud to be part of this network and look forward to continuing our partnership. To any business considering getting involved — this is the kind of work that not only changes lives, it transforms workplaces for the better.”
Gabi Pejic
Human Resource Manager
IHG – Crowne Plaza Perth
Even before the first ball was bowled at our inaugural event, VenuesLive, as the operator of Optus Stadium, had already implemented a Disability Employment Plan. The opportunity to then be part of the Hospitality Disability Network allows us to build on that early initiative.
The hospitality and tourism industry is a major employer of West Australians and the Hospitality Disability Network will work to increase sustainable employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
By having a place on the Board of the HDN, not only does Optus Stadium support the Network’s vision – to build disability confidence in the tourism and hospitality sector – but it allows us to be an advocate and encourage other businesses and companies to follow our lead.
VenuesLive works with hundreds of companies that are a major part of our business. We will be sharing the knowledge we have of employing people with disabilities with those companies and encouraging them to join us in this initiative.
The idea that we can make a difference and assist people living with a disability to pursue employment is something that makes our organisation and our employees proud of their workplace.
To address any biases and advocate for positive change is a challenge that VenuesLive and the HDN takes up with vigour.
We see the individual and treat others with courtesy and empathy and we aim to improve the employment experience of people with disabilities and show them a meaningful career in hospitality.
Mike McKenna
CEO
Optus Stadium
Working with HDN has been of great benefit to Optus Stadium, it has expanded our ability to reach candidates with disabilities and provide opportunities where they otherwise may not have been available. there has also been the added benefit of the education in employing people with disability that Optus Stadium staff has received from working alongside HDN.
The candidates who have been successfully progressed to employment have shown eagerness and commitment to their roles as well as loyalty to our business. HDN have been supportive, cooperative, willing to help and educate and always available for any number of questions we may have had about the process and how we can improve.
We look forward to working with HDN on a more streamlined recruitment and onboarding process and tailored training program to provide as much support as we can to our new candidates.
Zoe Sanders
Event Staffing Operations Manager
Venues Live
The HDN is creating a better futures for those in our community living with a disability by supporting them in employment pathways and allowing employers access to varying skills and unique goals.
So far we have had a great experience with the team at HDN and look forward to continuing our partnership.
Jai McNaughton
Talent & Culture Manager
ACCOR
If we are to achieve lasting and tangible employment outcomes for those with a disability, it is critical that we engage in collaborative projects between industry groups, Government and employment providers.
The Hospitality Disability Network will help provide opportunities for job seekers and employers to find a suitable fit, coupled with adequate support to ensure those with a disability are able to fully participate in each workplace.
Establishing programs like the Hospitality Disability Network is not only beneficial for individual workers, it delivers positive outcomes for the community, broader society and importantly, participating businesses.
The greatest asset any company has is their workforce. The HDN provides an opportunity for employers to ensure they are attracting the best possible personnel from the local talent pool, including those with a disability, who can add great value to a business.
The broad coalition of industry participants who form the HDN is testament to the fact that businesses can see the benefits that can be obtained from working together to achieve a collective goal.
Bradley Woods
Chief Executive Officer
AHA WA
The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia (CCIWA) is proud to support the Hospitality Disability Network (HDN). At CCIWA, we encourage responsible and equitable employment practices in the WA business community, as we believe this builds an inclusive society that values every individuals contribution and helps to make WA a great place to live and do business.
This aligns with the work that the HDN is undertaking in developing a sustainable model that supports businesses to increase employment opportunities for people with a disability in the hospitality and tourism sector. Hospitality and tourism are key growth industries in WA that require a sustainable workforce.
The HDN is creating a talent pool to provide opportunities for good employment outcomes for people with a disability that will not only benefit the employees and the businesses they work in, but will also contribute to the economy and the community more broadly.
Chris Rodwell
Chief Executive Officer
CCIWA
Equal opportunity employment is incredible important at Funlab. We all come from diverse experiences and backgrounds and it is important we represent our communities and work to better employment for underrepresented groups.
It had been very difficult to recruit talents, due to the closure of the borders and unemployment at an all-time low.
Thanks to the HDN we have been able to place candidates that might not have had the confidence to apply directly to our job ads but working with HDN has opened a pathway for us to meet with amazing candidates who are looking for opportunities to start their careers and develop new skills, while we’ve been able to continue building diverse teams and continue offering the best guest experience.
The Motherfunner we have recruited through HDN has been with us for almost 7 months now. He shows eagerness to learn everyday and holds various responsibilities with confidence.
The team at HDN genuinely care about their clients and are incredibly supportive. They set the client and employer up for success.
HDN wants to make a difference and have an impact in the community. The hospitality and entertainment industry can be difficult to navigate with the expectations of how you need to present yourself or the skillset you need but HDN actively works to break through those barriers and show employers and clients that you don’t have to be a particular type of person or have a certain experience to be successful.
Emilly Tsuka
Talent Manager
Funlab
Hospitality Pty Ltd is a family based private company that has owned and managed hotels and motels through communities around Australasia since 1962.
We have always maintained a positive policy of community involvement and with our sister company Ace Cinemas Pty Ltd, we have been involved for more than 40 years in supporting and engaging with the WA branch of children’s Variety which does a great deal of work in the disability space.
The opportunity to support the Hospitality Disability Network was a very natural extension of things we were already doing. We are very pleased and proud to be involved.
We understand the importance for both able and disabled people of belonging to a community and we know that having meaningful employment within a community plays an important role in engendering a feeling of belonging to a community.
We also understand the problems that people with a disability have in competing for jobs.
We have seen for ourselves the wonderful contribution people with disability can make in a workplace and a workforce, not only in terms of the work they perform but also in demonstrating to their able colleagues that disabled people are more than capable of making a very positive contribution to the community they live in and hence in increasing the level of respect, tolerance and understanding in the wider community.
Chris Pye
Managing Director
Hospitality PTY LTD
The HDN and I have previously worked together closely. So, working with people with different abilities and backgrounds is what makes my business thrive.
Lately, it has been very challenging to recruit staff, due to restrictions and border closures. The HDN has introduced us to a new talent pool and made our work so much easier. The HDN screens the candidates and makes sure they have the appropriate certificates and requirements before the candidate starts work. So basically, the interview process is just a casual meet and greet the candidate.
At the moment, we have four of their talents placed in our venue, one for more than 6months. Front and back of house. All of them are completely different but fit in very well with the team. They really enjoy learning new skills or like to shine the skills they have previously acquired.
The HDN makes sure that it is the right placement for the right candidate and even assists them further if it is required.
The HDN is unique as it specifically caters towards the hospitality industry. Everyone in the team has an extensive hospitality background, so they understand what is required from an employer side.
It is always a pleasure dealing with the HDN. I cannot recommend them highly enough.
Ryan Ebbs
General Manager
The Waverley Brewhouse