Dare to Ask | The value of lived experience & people centred care
"I really feel living with a disability gives you that understanding of other people's needs. Anything that they've been through in life really brings a quality to another person's life in terms of compassion and an ability to relate to their needs and what they are struggling with."
Full episode transcripts here:
Ashleigh Stevens: Yeah, very rewarding. If I could do it all over again, I would've done it exactly the same.
Interviewer: Can you tell us about yourself?
Ashleigh Stevens: I myself have been a disability support worker for around about 10 years now. Started in 2012. I noticed that there was not really much person-centred care. So we wanted to incorporate that into the industry and really make the experience quality, quality for those who are struggling day-to-day.
Interviewer: What is your experience with disability?
Ashleigh Stevens: Life in general. So I myself have gone through a few diagnosis of disability, being an autoimmune disease and a few mental health issues. So I've always, I guess, grown up wanting to be aware of people and how they're going, their struggles in life, really wanting to bring something special to them.
Interviewer: What does disability mean to you?
Ashleigh Stevens: Having a disability for myself means that there are days that aren't so easy. It means that I just need that little bit of extra understanding from those around me. I guess it's difficult enough, you know, going through life day-to-day, even being someone with full function, of things I really want to, yeah, just make their day better if I can.
Interviewer: Why hire someone with a disability?
Ashleigh Stevens: I really feel living with a disability gives you that understanding of other people's needs. Anything that they've been through in life really brings a quality to another person's life in terms of compassion and an ability to relate to their needs and what they are struggling with.
Interviewer: How has it been working with Castle?
Ashleigh Stevens: I couldn't have done it without them. I really couldn't have. They were one of my first point of contacts as an employer to find people. Had I not had my positive experiences, I truly feel that I wouldn't have been able to do it as well as I have.
Interviewer: What are the benefits of hiring someone with a disability?
Ashleigh Stevens: Each person has their own experience and I love that they can bring that experience to us and and show us new skills through that. I feel that we learn from every person that comes through our doors, you know, whatever lesson that may be and I think that that helps us move forward with what we're doing here.
Interviewer: What would you say to employers reluctant to hire people with a disability?
Ashleigh Stevens: Give it a go. Like, you just, it seems scary on the outside, you know? No, it's not all roses. It is a really tricky industry. It is taxing. It is hard. However, how could you know that feeling of, you know, fulfilment or that feeling of watching that person just gleam with excitement because they've achieved a goal that they wanted. Try it, it could be for you. You wouldn't know until you do.