I commenced my employment history as an Assistant Personnel / Welfare Officer working in a Sheltered Workshop, whilst putting myself through my Bachelor of Arts. I was involved in a wide range of human resource activities including recruitment, legal representation and dealing with disciplinary issues. I also undertook some welfare duties including handling DSS, CES and accommodation enquiries.

During my second degree (Bachelor of Psychology) and after, I was engaged as a research assistant and tutor in Research Methodology. I then attempted to find work in the Rehabilitation Counselling field. Frustrated by lack of opportunities, I went to work in the United Kingdom as a Data Processing Manager for an Electronics Company. This job involved installing an IBM computer accounting system and staff training.

When my contract expired I started my own computer trouble-shooting consultancy, until I secured the job with the Papworth Trust (Psychologist / Evaluator). I was responsible for establishing a commercially orientated Assessment and Development Centre, providing vocational assessment and guidance, mostly to people with disabilities. I was involved in recruitment and management liaison. Concurrently with this position, I pioneered the Trusts involvement in international Rehabilitation Engineering research, becoming Project Manager for a number of EEC TIDE projects. This resulted in the development of integrated robotic work-stations designed to assist severely physically disabled individuals access employment opportunities. I travelled to the USA, Canada, Holland & Sweden to attend and present at international conferences. A large emphasis of this work involved developing policy for the implementation and design of such equipment.

I returned permanently to Western Australia, after being married, early in 1994. I started my own consultancy and training business, 'Ability Awareness', through which I developed and ran Disability Awareness and Employing on Ability Seminars to service providers, and conducted specialist personal development 'Focus on Ability' courses for people with disabilities.  I felt my own Cerebral Palsy provided my with a unique insight into these issues.

As Disability Services Officer, I performed two key roles: i) supporting the Disability Access Advisory Committee; and ii) ensuring Council’s information, policies and practices were in line with the DSA and DDA. I also coordinated and developed the City of Canning’s Disability Services Plan and DDA Action Plan. The City received acclaim for its disability policies and practices that I assisted implementing, including the Prime Minister’s Employer of the Year Award 1996.

Due to my interest and knowledge in the area of access for people with disabilities, I have been involved in National and State based advisory forums, particularly those developing at Disability Discrimination Standards. I have consulted significantly with corporate bodies, non-government organisations and government funded training providers on DDA Action Plans and DSA Service Plans.

In my initial role with the Ministry of the Premier & Cabinet, I developed a strategic approach to promoting employment opportunities for people with disabilities, including a supportive policy framework within the WA Public Sector. I supported the Disability Employment Advisory Committee. My role then changed to a Senior Project Officer responsible for project / contract managing the ‘Jobs Online’ information technology system (http://jobsonline.mpc.gov.au/cgi-bin/jobsonline.pl), which I conceptualised, then implemented and monitored. I managed the strategic alliance between key stakeholders of this project.