Leading disability provider Aruma has committed to secure work, community participation or other pathways for every supported employee as it starts a wind down of its packaging enterprise at Lambton.

The Australian Disability Enterprise (ADE) at Lambton has assembled and packed medical products for commercial customers, providing supported employment and training for people with disability.

Dr Martin Laverty, CEO of Aruma said: “It’s a momentous change for our Lambton team. We’ve started to wind down the packaging business and are putting pathways in place to ensure every of our supported employees is given options for ongoing work, training, or community participation support unique to their needs.

“Our number one priority right now is the team in Lambton. We will offer them, and their families and guardians, support over the next few months as part of this change. We are also grateful for the long-term support and loyalty of our commercial customers.”

Dr Laverty said three key drivers were behind the decision to wind down the packaging enterprise.

“The building is no longer fit for purpose. It’s faced constant flooding and has had mould. It requires significant investment to fix water damage and bring it to contemporary standards.

“The financial pressure of NDIS pricing means there is no longer funding available for building upgrades.

“The Disability Royal Commission also pointed to the need for ADE’s to be reformed to meet contemporary human rights expectations to end segregated work environments.

“These three factors combined, have informed the decision to help transition supported employees at Lambton into other work, training, or community participation options outside of packaging,” Dr Laverty said.

Aruma’s Lambton packaging business currently employees 12 staff and 88 supported employees with disability. Aruma will commence transition support from this week and will develop individual transition plans for each of its 88 supported employees.

For further information please contact:

Kata Farrell, 0400 799 270
Head of Media and Communications, Aruma