There's no excuse not to employ a person with a disability, says Jen Tait firmly.
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The founder of Purple Chicken and Blue Goose (yes there's a theme here!) has made it her mission to help young people with a disability become "part of the Albury-Wodonga landscape".
She's already hatched marvellously successful initiatives to support her "chickens" including the popular Purple Chicken cafe and hospitality training program, which has soared beyond what anyone might have imagined.
Ms Tait, with a rapidly growing base of heavy-hitting supporters, is unashamedly employment focused.
We're talking real jobs here; meaningful employment that recognises the skills these young people bring to the table - or coffee machine, as the case may be.
The joyous Purple Chicken Facebook page is testament to the program's success and the many young people gaining positions in the hospitality industry locally.
Anyone who knows Jen Tait knows she doesn't like to rest on her laurels.
She also practises what she preaches.
At Blue Goose, which provides NDIS plan management and support co-ordination, more than half the staff employed have a disability while the other half care for a person with a disability.
"Everyone who works (at Blue Goose) has a lived experience and that positively affects how we deliver services," Ms Tait explained.
"It's not that hard to employ people with a disability."
The federal government's Job Access scheme has been instrumental in removing road blocks for employment, according to Ms Tait.
"They go into a workplace and conduct an assessment of what that person needs to do their job," she explained.
"Purchases can be made through Job Access and the equipment goes with the person to their next job."
Sarah Benoy, who has a rare vision impairment, was set up with a large screen reader and keyboard that enabled her to take on an administration assistant role at Blue Goose during her "gap year" before she heads to uni to study social work.
This success inspired Ms Tait to create an annual traineeship at Blue Goose.
Always the focus is on giving "chickens" the chance to spread their wings - and fly.
The proof's in the pudding - the delectable cafe in David Street, with an expanding catering arm, has seen Purple Chicken named as a finalist in the 2021 Albury-Wodonga Business Awards.
Ms Tait has already booked a table of 10 smack bang in the middle of the room of the July 7 gala event.
She's intent on these incredible young people being seen - COVID-19 permitting - by the best in the business.
Meanwhile there's been some serious shopping for feathered finery by the young people selected to attend.
