Skip to main content

"The scale of the disability inequality crisis in employment is massive"

24th November 2021

Natalia Hodgins has her arms folded and has short straight brown hair and brown eyes. She is wearing a navy and white striped top and a black leather jacket.

Written by

News

Natalia Hodgins is a communications expert, disability inclusion activist and the current Hireup Board Observer. She’s been working with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) to produce a story on how businesses who invest in disability perform better, which will air tomorrow during Close of Business on ABC News, at 9.30pm AEST, and feature as a news article on ABC online. 

“This is the first time I've been on the flip-side of the camera and it was a fascinating experience,” Natalia shared on her LinkedIn. “I did five interviews with eight people across Perth, Melbourne and London. And then I got to slice the whole story together to create great content. 

Natalia Hodgins stands in a news studio and talks to a camera, held by a cameraman. There are two chairs and a wheelchair to the side of the photo.

“The purpose of my story is to demonstrate that being disability-inclusive has a positive impact on financial performance, shareholder value and business growth. I also make the point that companies miss out on a huge untapped talent market, when they don't make employment accessible and inclusive for people with disabilities. 

“The scale of the disability inequality crisis in employment is massive, and having followed the Disability Royal Commission this week, I know there is so much more that needs to be done, by both business and government. My story is one perspective and I hope it encourages the public to look at this complex issue through a different lens.”

Natalia Hodgins has her arms folded and has short straight brown hair and brown eyes. She is wearing a navy and white striped top and a black leather jacket.

Natalia Hodgins is a communications expert, disability inclusion activist and the current Hireup Board Observer. Natalia is a writer, speaker and independent journalist who lives with myalgic encephalomyelitis / chronic fatigue syndrome.

Discover more

Amara, who is a wheelchair user, has long dark hair that's been plaited. She's in a lounge room with her support worker. Her Hireup support worker, who has short blonde hair and is dressed in khaki, perches on the arm of the couch, assisting Amara with her tube feeding. Amara's smiling at her support worker, while her mum watches on from the kitchen.

12th October 2026

“Gives me real peace of mind”: How Ilse built a trusted support team for her daughter

Deb Roach points into the crowd while holding onto a golden telescope. She's on the stage performing her show 'Criptonite'. Deb wears a multi-coloured sequence cropped top and sits on top of a prop that's an equally bedazzled crescent moon. Deb is an upper-extremity amputee.

8th October 2026

“I didn’t expect it to be so good”: How Deb Roach’s show Criptonite is shattering expectations

Hireup client and worker Kirsten and Paulla on a walk with a guide dog in a park.

30th September 2026

What the NDIS community participation cuts mean for you

Hireup client Al laughing with his support worker, Bec. Al, who is a wheelchair user, has short brown hair and wears a beige jacket and glasses. He's looking at a phone that Bec is holding in front of him. Bec has long dark hair and wears a top and cardigan.

9th September 2026

Have your say on the future of the NDIS

Melanie Tran and her support worker, Allyah, are strolling on a city path. Both are dressed in white t-shirts and denim jeans. Melanie is a wheelchair user.

4th September 2026

Our top 6 resources to help you make sense of the NDIS changes

Jasmin Scriven, a disability advocate and content creator, has shoulder-length brown hair and wears a long strawberry-print dress. Jasmin is a wheelchair user. 

1st September 2026

Nobody is faking it: The truth about the "mobility aid trend"