Using technology to power inclusion

May 10 2024

Monash alumnus Phil Hayes-Brown.

Phil Hayes-Brown is all-too familiar with the employment challenges faced by people with disabilities.

The CEO of disability support service Wallara Australia has firsthand experience of their struggles - from navigating job interviews to finding inclusive workplaces.

Now, he is bringing these real-world insights to his new role as an adjunct professor at Monash Business School’s Opportunity Tech Lab.

“I’m a proud graduate of Monash, and I’ve been working with the university on a variety of disability inclusion projects for about seven years now,” Mr Hayes-Brown said.

Mr Hayes-Brown said in his capacity as an Opportunity Tech Lab adjunct, he would introduce potential industry partners to them.

“One of those is from the hospitality industry because that’s a huge channel of employment where there are real shortages and a growing desire to be inclusive,” he said.

“At Wallara, we consider ourselves educators too, so there’s a real shared expertise and synergy. There are important lessons I have learned from my work in the sector that I want to share because I know Monash wants its graduates to have a deeper understanding of diversity in our community.”

The lab's mission, to advise on inclusive digital technologies and create tech solutions to empower social change, aligns with his own deeply personal motivation.

His 22-year-old daughter Phoebe has an intellectual disability and is non-verbal, using the Auslan sign language to communicate.

“We hear a lot from people with physical disability, and we are hearing more from the autism community these days, but I feel like the intellectual disability group – the largest group in the National Disability Support Scheme – is the group we hear the least from,” Mr Hayes-Brown said.

“I feel a sense of responsibility to represent my daughter and people like her in that community because they often are not able to advocate strongly for themselves.”

New project a ‘huge opportunity’

One project at the lab has him particularly excited: virtual reality tutorial modules to help neurodivergent people develop the skills and confidence to pitch entrepreneurial business ideas.

He said the virtual reality environment offered a safe space to practice crucial elements such as eye contact, emotional expression, social exposure and voice modulation.

However, the project’s potential extends far beyond pitching start-up ideas.

“The tech could help people with disabilities develop their job interview and presentation skills, and immerse themselves in different work environments to see what job they might be interested in pursuing,” he said.

It could also help employers understand how to better support people with disabilities in the workplace.

“I can see this technology being used to help anyone with a disability, and especially those who are neurodivergent or have intellectual impairments, to find and keep a job,” he said.

“There is an enormous need across Australia to help close the gap for people with disability and workforce participation.”

Building inclusion on campus

Mr Hayes-Brown's vision extends beyond supporting the lab’s diversity and inclusion initiatives. He also hopes to promote visibility and inclusion at Monash.

“(Wallara) clients are already involved in (Monash University) grounds maintenance, and later this year we will also open a coffee kiosk at Clayton, staffed by Wallara clients,” he said.

The projects serve a dual purpose, providing valuable work experience for Wallara clients while simultaneously normalising disability on campus.

“I want students and faculty at Monash to see people with disabilities as they walk around the campus,” he said.

“Monash aims to be more inclusive, and I want to help people with intellectual disability to be part of that agenda.”