For most people, work is about earning a living. For John, it is also about purpose, routine, connection and the chance to brighten someone else’s day.
Every week, John heads to work at LJ Hooker Real Estate in Kallangur / Murrumba Downs, where he delivers “just listed” and “just sold” brochures throughout the local community. He’s a reliable member of the team, known for his positive attitude, commitment and the smile he brings with him each day.
John’s journey into employment took time, persistence and the right people taking the time to understand him.
Looking Beyond the Barriers
When BUSY Ability first met John, they saw what everyone should have seen from the beginning: a warm, kind and capable person with plenty to offer.
Like many people living with disability, John faced challenges that had nothing to do with his willingness to work. His speech impairment and cognitive disability sometimes made communication more difficult, leaving him worried that people wouldn’t take the time to understand him.
As Michelle Hoppner, Team Leader at BUSY Ability, recalls, John’s greatest fear wasn’t whether he could do the job, it was whether people would ever see what he was capable of.
Too often, people living with disability are seen for what might be hard before they are seen for what they can do. That is why the right support matters. Sometimes all it takes is someone willing to listen, advocate and believe in a person’s potential.
In John’s own words, “I like to keep moving. I can’t stand still for a minute!” And with a role that involves a lot of walking, it was the perfect fit for him.
Employment Support That Doesn’t End on Day One
Through the Australian Government funded, Inclusive Employment Australia program, BUSY Ability provides personalised employment support for people living with disability, injury or health conditions. The program helps participants prepare for work, find meaningful employment and receive ongoing support for as long as they need it. Rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach, it focuses on each person’s goals, strengths and support needs.
For John, that support has continued well beyond finding a job.
Every Wednesday afternoon, he visits BUSY Ability, where Workforce Retention Consultant Helen Wright helps him navigate any challenges that come up, whether that’s communicating something difficult, working through a problem or simply checking in.
Over time, Helen and John have developed a genuine friendship, one that has helped build John’s confidence both inside and outside the workplace.
That ongoing connection reflects what Inclusive Employment Australia is designed to achieve: supporting people not only to find work, but to keep succeeding in work through personalised assistance whenever it’s needed.
A Workplace That Sees Ability
The support John receives extends beyond BUSY Ability.
From the moment he walked through the doors at LJ Hooker, his employers recognised what made him such a valuable team member.
They didn’t focus on what might have made things harder, instead they focused on his reliability, his positive attitude and the energy he brings to the workplace every day.
John’s managers describe him as someone they can always count on. Someone who lifts the mood of the entire office. Someone whose contribution genuinely matters.
Chris Pascoe, L J Hooker Real Estate, Property Connections said, “John turns up here at times to pick up work that he does for us and always turns up with a smile. If we’re having a bad day he certainly brightens our day up. I would hire 10 Johns if I could. John can achieve anything he wants.”
It’s a reminder that inclusive workplaces don’t lower expectations. They create opportunities for people to succeed by recognising strengths, providing support where needed and valuing every individual for what they bring to the team.
When employers are willing to look beyond assumptions, they often discover dedicated employees who become invaluable members of their workforce.
Everyone Deserves the Opportunity to Be Seen
John continues to choose work because he enjoys being part of a team, connecting with people and contributing to his community.
His story is not remarkable because of disability. It is remarkable because the right people took the time to see his potential and support him to succeed.
Employment can build confidence, independence, purpose and connection. For many people living with disability, accessing those opportunities starts with having someone in their corner.
That’s exactly what BUSY Ability aims to provide through Inclusive Employment Australia.
By offering personalised guidance, practical assistance and ongoing support, BUSY Ability helps people overcome barriers, connect with inclusive employers and build sustainable careers that reflect their goals and abilities.
As John puts it:
“If you’re looking for a job, come into BUSY Ability. Everybody is equal.”
Sometimes changing a life doesn’t begin with finding a job. It begins with someone taking the time to see what is possible and believing that person belongs.
Watch John’s journey: