Jessica is a Warlpiri and Gurindji woman from Kalkarindji currently living in the Darwin region. Jessica is profoundly Deaf from an acquired brain injury, and sought to improve her independent living and employability skills by becoming involved in the YouthWorx’s Encompass program. During an industry visit program, where participants get to see and experience businesses up close, Jessica immediately said that she wanted to work at Macca’s. So, with the support of her Youth Development Coach, Jess secured an employment opportunity at MacDonalds Palmerston.
YouthWorX’s Encompass program is a person-centred service provided to people with disability to build skills, find and keep a job and by building on engagement with other training or education opportunities develop capacity and future employment development.
YouthWorX NT Encompass Program Coordinator, Tanya Pederick said “We are extremely proud of Jessica’s ‘can-do’ attitude to anything she puts her mind to and how she does not let her disability get in the way of what she wants to do”.
Yasmin Hahn, People and Culture Supervisor at McDonalds Palmerston, said working with Jessica and developing strategies to support her in the workplace has been revolutionary in building confidence across the entire Macca’s team.
“The team has been able to adapt their communication with the use of simple Auslan signs and gestures to communicate with Jess effectively.”
We also adopted a “silent kitchen” method using different coloured utensils and trays for different products to eliminate the need for verbal directions.”
Jessica loves working at Macca’s and said “it was hard at the start, but now I know what to do it’s good”. “I like seeing the customers through the window and saying hello”.
Jessica has a range of jobs she adds proudly including, “unpacking stock and putting it away, cleaning, making pancakes, and frying the chips and hash browns”.
Yasmin says “Jess is thriving in her role in the kitchen, and her enthusiasm for the job shines through every day. Jess’s positive spirit and determination have been an uplifting reminder that with a little creativity and kindness, communication barriers can be overcome, and everyone can thrive; her positive energy has been truly inspiring to everyone around her”.
