All people with disability can work, but traditional approaches have left too many shut out or underemployed. But more is possible!

At this forum, you will hear from two MG&A Customised Employment leaders, Therese Fimian and Randy Dicks, who draw on decades of combined experience delivering real jobs and meaningful careers for people with disability.

Marc Gold & Associates uses proven approaches to promote full participation of people with significant disabilities in communities and workplaces.

Forum highlights:

Review the Customised Employment process, from Discovery to Job Development
Understand how Customised Employment increases the chances of real and meaningful employment
Be inspired by stories of employment success
Develop confidence and skills in building win-win relationships between jobseekers and employers
Gain practical strategies for dealing with barriers to employment

About the Topic:
Customised Employment (CE) is a strategy that creates access to individualized, inclusive, community-based jobs for individuals with disabilities who face significant barriers to employment. Through Customized Employment approaches, unique knowledge of both job seekers and employers is cultivated. The CE approach is successful because it matches the skills, talents, and interests of the person with workforce needs of the business. When employment outcomes for people with disability remain woefully low, the CE approach is an exciting and well evidenced approach to making open employment possible for all.

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About the Presenters:
Therese Fimian

Therese has worked in the disability employment field for 25 years, overseeing national workforce, research, and demonstration projects in the US to increase access to employment and economic empowerment for individuals with significant disabilities. For nearly ten years, Therese directed a national Customised Employment initiative through which jobs and internships were customised and strong partnerships with businesses were established. She has worked with national and state agencies to develop and improve strategy and policy, to increase access to services that result in competitive, inclusive employment for individuals with disabilities. Therese joined Marc Gold & Associates (MG&A) in 2019 and became president of the organisation in 2022.

Randy Dicks

Randy’s work in the human service field is vast— ranging from working with the homeless, victims of sexual abuse, those with criminal histories, and those who experience mental health, physical, and intellectual disabilities. Although varied in experience, his work has always focused on each individual, their goals and needs, and tailoring services to what will work best for them. He strives to implement this philosophy every day. Randy has found that Customised Employment truly is a way to help people with significant barriers to employment find meaning and purpose through a job in the community, making real wages and living the life they envision for themselves. Randy joined MG&A as a consultant in 2013. He is a lead instructor for MG&A as well as the director of MG&A’s Performance-Based Certification program.

This event is for:

People with disability, their family members, friends and supporters.
Support workers, teachers, and other professionals wanting to improve employment outcomes for people with disabilities.
Employment service providers for people with disability, interested in exploring the generation of meaningful employment through Customised Employment strategies
Employers, and community members who want to learn about Customised Employment to achieve a more diverse and inclusive workforce.

Event Details:
Date: Monday 16th February 2026
Time: 9:15am (registration from 8:45am) - 4:30pm
Venue: Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, South Bank
RSVP: Wednesday 4th February 2026

About CRU:

For over 35 years, Community Resource Unit has been working across Queensland to help people with disability take control of their lives and take their place in their community.

CRU (QLD), Resourcing Inclusive Communities, an initiative of Family Advocacy (NSW) and Imagine More (ACT) are working together on project called School To Work.

School To Work aims to inspire, increase confidence and motivate students with disability to seek and find meaningful employment with the help and support of their family and community.

The project is being provided as part of the funding from the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing.

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