Meet Marie Allen, championing inclusivity in her workplace
Transitioning from an allied health professional to a customer contact officer supporting the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA), Marie Allen’s personal and professional life is driven by her desire to positively impact our communities.
Like much of the world, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic forced Marie's massage therapy business in Warragul to close its doors, prompting her to reevaluate her career path and return to Melbourne in search of new opportunities.
Upon her return and with her remedial massage therapist career halted due to a chronic injury, Marie decided to explore alternative career pathways. Connecting with Vision Australia, to explore new opportunities to upskill, Marie enrolled in a Community Services Certificate IV, equipping her with the necessary qualifications while also strengthening her computer and assistive technology skills, which proved to be essential for her future endeavours.
After successfully obtaining her Cert IV, Marie applied for a role as a customer contact officer at Serco to assist the NDIA. Leveraging her perspective as an individual with a vision impairment, along with her firsthand experience as a NDIS participant and commitment to community support, Marie brings a unique perspective that would contribute to fostering an inclusive work environment.
Joining Serco, Marie encountered challenges during her compliance training but didn't hesitate to offer constructive feedback. Recognising the need for additional support for new JAWS technology users, she proposed involving existing JAWS users to support new users during training—an idea that was later implemented, showcasing her proactive approach towards inclusivity and improvement. And now, almost two years on from improving our training processes, Marie is now working with her team leader, Jessique Savage, towards becoming a JAWS support facilitator for new users.
In a team with persons of disabilities, Marie and her colleagues prioritise ensuring their workplace is accessible and flexible to accommodate everyone's needs. As a guide dog mobility participant, Marie appreciates the assistance her team provides in accommodating Shanya, her guide dog, whose presence not only improves her mobility but also holds a vital role in their workplace.
"Creating an inclusive environment doesn't always require complex solutions; often, it's the simple, practical changes that make the biggest impact," said Jessique. "Promoting tangible measures such as navigational aids and informative posters supports the promotion of workplace accessibility."
With aspirations to continue to upskill and develop while also becoming an advocate for people with disabilities, we are excited to see what the future holds for Marie and are proud of our colleagues who every day are making a positive impact on our communities.