We would like to say a big congratulations to Bedford Supported Employee, Toby who was recently appointed by the South Australian Government’s Department of Human Services (DHS) to the Disability Engagement Group (DEG).
Toby is part of Bedford’s Administration Team and has been working at Bedford for 13 years. He is a confident operator and communicator - if you have ever given Bedford a call, there is a good chance he picked up the phone!
We recently sat down with Toby to learn a bit more about the DEG, and why he joined.
What is the Disability Engagement Group?
“It is 12 people with a lived experience with disability – this includes people with a disability, support workers, carers, mums and dads and others that are close to the sector. We advise on what they think should be happening with disability in South Australia. It is run by Nat Cook [the South Australian Minister for Human Services]. She asks us questions and our thoughts on different topics, we provide our feedback and advocate for disability in South Australia.”
How did you join the group?
“One of the Bedford Executives told me there was an opportunity at the start of the year. They actually approached my team member first. He wasn’t sure about it - but I was really interested!
I applied online for a different opportunity but wasn’t quite right for the first one. They [DHS] came back and told me about this group. They said, ‘We would like you to apply because we think you are perfect for this group’.
I applied and got an email back to say I was in! There were lots of forms to fill in – because I am getting paid for it! So that was okay. We had our first meeting two weeks ago. I also got to join the launch event [for the State Disability Inclusion Plan 2025–2029.] That was cool.”
How did joining the group make you feel?
“I feel really proud and happy. I have done a lot with disability [advocacy] previously, and it is special to me. It is great opportunity for me to have a voice and represent others with a disability that maybe aren’t as confident as I am.”
Is there something in particular you would like to achieve though this group?
“I would like to keep being a voice for people with a disability. That’s really important to me.”