This employment resource provides guidance around the workplace experience and finding employment 

People with CP have the right to work in a meaningful job and, with the right support early on in life, can develop their confidence and skills to contribute to the workplace like everyone else. 

My CP Guide and the Cerebral Palsy Support Network have collaborated in the development of a new guide: The employment journey for people with cerebral palsy is a free PDF resource for people with cerebral palsy and employers, using original research provided by the CPSN Futures Fund. This resource includes insights from interviews with people with CP, who shared their personal employment experiences, and offered advice on how to make the employment journey more inclusive and accessible for everyone.

Information was collected from 20 adults with CP, who are members of the CPSN lived-experience advisory group (The Tribe), with varying levels of the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS). Many of these contributors have been in the workforce for almost 40 years. 

“People with cerebral palsy not only need to be able to share their honest experiences around employment—the challenges and disappointments, and what has contributed to any successes they have had—we also need to consider how organisations can pool this knowledge and approach employers and education institutions to advocate for a vastly improved experience for people with cerebral palsy,” said one of the advisory group participants, a 32 year-old woman with CP.

The ability of someone with CP to find and maintain a job depends on a number of things, such as the quality of access to education, skills development programs, employment opportunities, and the right support and services to maintain a job. 

Improving employment outcomes for people with CP will provide significant benefits to workplaces, the economy, the community and to individuals.  

People with CP can contribute meaningfully to the workplace when given the opportunity. They will have some physical impairments, but with workplace adjustments, supports, training, understanding and acceptance, they can be productive and valuable staff members.

Click this link to download the free PDF resource: The employment journey for people with cerebral palsy 

For more information about the workplace experience and finding employment, My CP Guide has information resources for people of all age groups with cerebral palsy. Visit the Work section of the site to browse a variety of resources.