Mark
“I think we all have that basic need to be needed and to belong somewhere.”
Disabled people have the same right to fair and meaningful employment as non-disabled people and have a huge amount of value to offer businesses. However, many are denied the opportunity to participate in the workplace due to misconceptions, prejudice and a lack of accessibility.
An important part of CCS Disability Action’s work is supporting people like Mark Halkyard into jobs that offer value and fulfilment. As Mark’s story shows, a crucial element of enabling disabled individuals to thrive in the workplace is finding people who can be ‘on their team’ and champion their unique gifts and skillsets, even when they might be having a tough time.
Mark and Rodney from GWD Motor Group
28-year-old Mark lives in Alexandra, having moved from Auckland to be closer to his mum, Alison, and dad, Roger. Mark is on the autism spectrum, which for him brings intense social anxiety and confusion in understanding what other people mean. He also has a learning disability plus additional physical and medical needs.
As Alison explains, one of these things might be manageable but together, they make life difficult for Mark to navigate. “Mark is passionate about learning. He has a lot of interests including music, current affairs, sports and cars. He’s also a very social person – outgoing and chatty – and really wants to be around people. He has faced a lot of setbacks in life, so when he started thinking about wanting a job, we felt we needed help from someone else who could be on his ‘team’,” says Alison.
Alison contacted the Southland branch and was connected with Service Coordinator Tracy Henderson. Tracy was more than happy to pave the way for Mark and be there for him when he needed support. “My role was to get to know Mark and see if I could present him with job options that would give him purpose and fulfilment,” explains Tracy. In Mark, she saw someone with a great range of skills to draw on – he was detail orientated, presented himself well and had an all-important driver’s licence. She quickly got to work and organised a short voluntary work placement at GWD Toyota Alexandra. The part-time role involved washing the cars at the dealership and polishing them to ensure they were impeccably presented on the lot. It was work Mark excelled in and the Branch Manager Saras Scott offered Mark a part-time paid contract.
Tracy Henderson, Service Coordinator
Tracy describes the team at GWD Toyota as “amazing employers.” Not only were they up to tailoring their processes to ensure Mark felt welcome and valued, but they included him in their staff activities and social functions and were prepared to stand by him when things were challenging. “There have been times in the past year when Mark’s anxiety made it hard for him to get the work done. He puts a lot of pressure on himself and worries if he feels he’s not doing a good job and that becomes quite debilitating. The thing about GWD Toyota is they have always been very willing and open to meet and talk through any issues to try and find a solution. It’s clear that while they have high expectations of his performance, they value Mark as a part of their team and are prepared to go the extra mile to make it work,” explains Tracy. It’s a sentiment Alison echoes. “GWD Toyota has been nothing short of phenomenal. It hasn’t all been roses and there were many times when they could have found it all a bit much and given up on Mark, but they’ve stuck with him.” And the result for them is immaculately cleaned cars sparkling on their lot. With Mark now coming up to a year in the job, the positive impact the role has had on him is clear for all to see.
“Mark is so much more outgoing than when I met him,” says Tracy. “I even get to see a bit of his cheeky side, which I love. He’s learning that he can ask questions at work and is becoming more flexible and responsive in his approach to people. It’s amazing to play a role in making that a reality for him.” Mark loves telling people he works at GWD Toyota, and he wears his uniform with pride. As Alison recounts: “Once he wore his uniform to Repco, just to buy something for his own car. They gave him a trade discount as they could see he worked in the auto trade and he came home just walking on air because he felt so proud and so part of something. Working has added enormous value to Mark’s life. Being part of a team, having spending money that he’s earned. I think we all have that basic need to be needed and to belong somewhere and his job has given him that.” Alison and Roger are also appreciative of Tracy’s role in their son’s success. “Tracy has been an angel. She’s always been so approachable and made us feel like we were the only people she was supporting – that’s how important she made us feel,” says Alison.
