Woman pictured from the back in her powered wheelchair. She is facing a laptop screen and has a small electronic assistive device by her right hand.

Future of Work research

The Future of Work research explores how emerging workplace trends and technological advancements impact employment opportunities for people with disability. It examines the risks and opportunities associated with evolving work environments, including artificial intelligence in recruitment, assistive technologies, remote work, and the gig economy. By identifying barriers and solutions, this research provides insights into how businesses, policymakers, and disability advocates can shape an inclusive future of work.

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About the grant

JFM Fund provided grant funding to support this research, which investigates how technology influences the employment lifecycle of people with disability—from pre-employment to workplace inclusion and career progression.

The grant enabled a comprehensive literature review, synthesizing insights across multiple disciplines, and developing recommendations to foster equitable employment opportunities.

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Project goals

  • Identify systemic barriers that hinder employment opportunities for people with disability, including societal stigma, inaccessible hiring practices, and biases in recruitment technologies.
  • Evaluate the role of artificial intelligence, assistive technology, and remote work in shaping employment outcomes for people with disability.
  • Highlight risks in emerging work trends, such as the gig economy and algorithmic hiring, while providing recommendations for equitable employment strategies.
  • Inform employers on best practices for fostering inclusive hiring, workplace accessibility, and career development for people with disability.
  • Advocate for policy and research efforts to bridge knowledge gaps in the intersection of disability, work, and technology.

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Head shot of Harry Spurrier. He has a mop of dark brown hair and is smiling at camera. He wears a dark suit jacket with a white shirt underneath.

“This research sheds light on the intersection of disability and the future of work, emphasising that technology must be a tool for inclusion, not exclusion. By understanding systemic barriers and opportunities, we can create workplaces where people with disability thrive.”

Harry Spurrier, 2023 Westpac Future Leader Scholar, PhD candidate

Funded projects

Barry and Angie from the Neighbourhood Circles project stand in a garden smiling at camera

Neighbourhood Circles

Neighbourhood Circles Project aims to support increased knowledge and understanding on the role of neighbourhoods as spaces of inclusion, belonging, safeguarding, and support. Neighbourhood Circles works with people with a disability or mental illness to strengthen their sense of safety, inclusion, and belonging to their local neighbourhood.

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Youth Options Raising the Game image of people at computers

Raising the Game

Empowering neuro-diverse young people and fostering collaborative industry ties Raising the Game is a project that offers a quality assurance (QA) service for game studios, while also providing training, jobs, and work experience opportunities for young people.

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A man using a mobility aid is smiling at a woman standing next to him. They are in a park.

YPINH Taking Control of My Supports

YPINH received a grant to work with people living in specialist disability accommodation, to explore ways in which they could have greater control of their NDIS supports. The project initiated the National Workforce Collaboration, which has a goal of attracting and retaining high quality disability support workers.

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Photo of two young males standing at the front of the Shine Like Gold mobile cafe. They are holding their hands in a thumbs up gesture. The cafe is bright yellow and blue with comic-style graphics.

Go for Gold

Go for Gold is a three-year project aimed at providing programs to assist young people on the autism spectrum as they transition into adulthood through either employment or education pathways. Gold Foundation received grant funding from JFM Fund to help cover the key expenses of Go for Gold’s three programs for young autistic people; the 12-week Inclusive Hospitality program, Shine Like Gold Cafe, and the 10-week Uni Ready Program.

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Acknowledgement of Country

In the spirit of reconciliation we acknowledge the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and cultures today.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples should be aware that this website may contain images or names of people who have passed away.