IT IS the most successful supported employment provider in the region and visitors to the NOVA Employment open day were shown why last week.
Visitors and special guests filled the meeting room of NOVA Employment in Windsor last Wednesday to hear about the latest services they provide as well as hear some success stories from its clients.
NOVA CEO Martin Wren explained to the crowd that through supporting people with a disability into paid work, it removed labels that painted that person in a negative light.
“In our society employment is really important as we want to avoid the label of “unemployed”.
“Some of these unemployed people come with a bunch of other labels and some are sticky and some people are put off giving that person an opportunity.
“Over time these labels have changed. At the end of this day three people that weren’t in work yesterday will be in work, and by the end of the year 1000 people who had the label of disability, will have a different label.
“They will have the label of butcher, baker or candlestick maker, whatever it may be.”
Mr Wren said that people with a disability were showing what they can achieve and showing it in many different ways all around the country.
He highlighted this by the success of one of its local clients, Sandy Freeman, who recently won a gold medal for swimming at the Special Olympics in Los Angeles.
“We are a better nation for the things we are doing to create a much more inclusive society and by being here today you are actually supporting that movement,” Mr Wren told the audience.
“If we focus on ability what we’ll get is a place where everybody has the opportunity to contribute to society.”
Member for Hawkesbury Dominic Perrottet was in attendance at the open day and praised the work of Nova Employment and its staff.
“NOVA does important and essential work in our community, helping those with disabilities gain employment.
“It’s through working and holding a job that many people gain a sense of dignity, independence and confidence.
“I congratulate NOVA for breaking down barriers, providing opportunities and taking concrete actions to improve the lives of those in our community.”
