The Employers and Manufacturers Association is welcoming job advertisements that will boost disabled peoples' chances.

Delegates at the National Disability Conference want to look at a British scheme where employers use a 'two-ticks' symbol when advertising job opportunities to show they are friendly to disabled workers. Those signed up to the scheme would guarantee interviews for disabled applicants that meet the job criteria.

EMA Employment Services Manager, David Lowe, says he expects a number of employers will pick this up. He says knowing disabled people are particularly welcome will be very helpful for disabled people looking for work.

The NZ Herald reports New Zealand's 58,000 sickness beneficiaries, and possibly some on invalid benefits, will be targeted under the "investment approach" of the new welfare reforms that aim to help beneficiaries into work.

Disabled Persons Assembly Chief Executive, Rachel Noble, says many people were ruled out as soon as employers realised they had a disability, but most were willing and able to work if employers would give them a chance.

- RBG News/Newstalk ZB/NZ Herald