Australian Disability Network’s Internship Program is often viewed as a pathway for students and graduates with disability. For participating organisations, however, the benefits can be just as significant: developing leaders, strengthening teams and uncovering talented future employees. The program creates an opportunity for organisations to build inclusion through experience, while giving teams access to fresh perspectives and emerging talent.
For Lisa Dalgleish, from QBE, the experience ultimately led to her intern being offered a full-time position within the team. But the value of the program extended beyond recruitment. From the outset, her team saw the placement as a two-way opportunity. As they supported the intern to build confidence and gain practical experience, they were also learning, reflecting on how their own leadership, communication and systems could become more inclusive and accessible.
Reflecting on the experience, Lisa said:
“Observing [our intern’s] growth in confidence and excitement in being able to apply his skills was one of the most heartwarming experiences I will remember for a long time. The best part of this experience was being able to offer him a full-time opportunity within my team at the conclusion of the internship.”
The experience also provided valuable leadership development. Rather than learning about inclusion through policies or training alone, Lisa and her team had the opportunity to put inclusive practices into action. Through day-to-day supervision, conversations about support needs and adapting ways of working, the team gained practical experience that will continue to influence how they lead and collaborate in future.
Importantly, the impact extended beyond the intern-supervisor relationship. Hosting an intern prompted broader conversations within the team about communication, different working styles and the role small adjustments can play in helping people perform at their best.
“Hosting an intern prompted thoughtful conversations within the team about how we support different working styles, how we explain the ‘why’ behind our work, and how small adjustments can make a big difference. It has absolutely influenced our approach to inclusion and recruitment.”
As Lisa’s experience demonstrates, inclusion is not built through policies alone. It is built through experience, relationships and a willingness to learn. By giving teams the opportunity to work alongside talented interns with disability, organisations can develop stronger leaders, broaden their talent pipeline and create lasting change in the way they think about recruitment, accessibility and inclusion.
Stories like Lisa’s show what’s possible when organisations invest in inclusive talent pipelines. To explore hosting an intern this summer and building the same leadership and capability benefits in your team, contact our Internship Program Lead, Rudy Haruta, at rudy.haruta@ausdn.org.au