Support for Karingal greatly valued
16 August 2010
The support Karingal has received over the last few weeks has been nothing short of remarkable.
The recent media coverage of Karingal and the remuneration of one of our supported employees who works for Kommercial, has been very difficult for all involved. Kommercial is a division of Karingal and an Australian Disability Enterprise.
Since that coverage Karingal has worked hard to communicate with all stakeholders to ensure everyone is aware of the full story.
I have received phone calls, letters and emails of support from businesses involved with Karingal programs, community agencies, Karingal members and the general public.
Some of the feedback that we have received so far has recognised Karingal’s contribution to the community, support for the work we do with people with disabilities and recognising the difference we make to the daily lives of many.
Businesses have said they will continue to support Karingal and use Kommercial services. Many have commended us on the good work we do and expressed their anger over uninformed and negative comments.
In my letters to Karingal stakeholders I explained that it is the Federal Government that funds the system Kommercial operates within and they also maintain all checks and balances.
This requires Kommercial supported employees to be independently assessed on their ability to work and they are then paid according to that assessment.
All supported employees are people who have disabilities and in most cases receive disability pensions and other benefits and allowances which means their Kommercial wages are a supplement to their main source of income.
A supported employee can be taking home around $1,000 per fortnight depending on an individual’s circumstances.
On top of that when there is no work for the supported employee team, the organisation looks for other options rather than redundancies as would occur in mainstream employment.
But by far the most important fact is that for most of our supported workforce, the money is not the main reason they are there.
Employment at Kommercial also serves as an important social interaction where supported employees are encouraged to participate in Karingal activities, form friendships, build confidence and be a part of the community.
Without supported employment, many people can become isolated.
Of course Karingal is continuously looking at better ways to provide support and services to people with disabilities which includes funding and planning around future needs for clients and their families.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the many, many stakeholders who took the time to contact me and provide their support.
It has been greatly appreciated during what has been a difficult time for the organisation.
As an organisation whose mission is focused on providing opportunities to people with disabilities – it is wonderful to know that most people have been willing to hear the full story, and will continue to support the work we do.