Celebrating the women of Ability Works

News, Stories of Impact, accessibility, community | 8th March 2026

Strength, diversity and the power of inclusion

Every International Women’s Day, organisations around the world pause to recognise the impact women make in their workplaces and communities. At Ability Works, that recognition isn’t confined to a single day – it’s part of who we are. Our workplace is shaped by women with disability, women from diverse cultural backgrounds, women building new careers, women leading teams, and women advocating for inclusion in ways that create real change.

Their stories form a tapestry of resilience, curiosity, lived experience, and a shared belief that workplaces can and should be places where everyone belongs.

Women who carve their own paths

Across Ability Works, women step into roles that reflect not just their skills, but their journeys. Their paths are different, but the thread that connects them is purpose – the desire to contribute, to grow, and to create opportunities for others.

For Esra, who moved to Australia and now works as a Production Systems Engineer, that purpose is grounded in diversity and meaningful work.

“Working at Ability Works has reinforced my belief in the importance of diversity and inclusion.”

For Helen, purpose is tied to equity and opportunity. Her work is shaped by empathy, allyship, and the people who encouraged her along the way.

“Inclusion is something we build every day through actions, conversations, and mindset.”

For Morgan, purpose emerged through curiosity and creativity – a journey from administration to accessibility and content creation.

“AWA has been supportive in all the ways that matter… They’ve encouraged me to follow the work I’m good at and enjoy.”

For Natalie, purpose is rooted in social justice and a commitment to doing better. Her passion for accessibility began the moment she saw a screen reader struggle through a website she had built.

“I resolved to learn as much as possible and do better.”

For Ruby, purpose is found in confidence, representation, and community.

“It’s like one big family (at Ability Works).”

And for Sally‑Ann, purpose is deeply personal – shaped by her experience as a parent of a person with disability.

“I’ve become a passionate advocate for people who, for whatever reason, cannot find a voice.”

Together, these women show that there is no single way to be a woman, no single way to lead, and no single path to purpose.

What inclusion looks like when it’s real

Across their stories, one message is clear: inclusion is not a slogan. It’s a practice, built through daily actions, conversations, and choices.

Women at Ability Works describe inclusion as:

• feeling safe to speak up, share ideas, and ask for what they need

“An inclusive workplace listens to people as individuals, not categories.” — Morgan

• being valued for their perspective, not judged for their accent, disability, or background

“Everyone… can communicate with their voice without being afraid of judgement.” — Esra

• having flexibility and psychological safety

“That sense of psychological safety builds confidence.” — Helen

• being able to request adjustments without fear

“The ability to feel safe in requesting adjustments… without judgement.” — Natalie

• practical accessibility that supports real participation

“Some workplaces have quiet rooms… adjustable lighting… access training for all employees.” — Ruby

In their words, inclusion is not a box to tick. Inclusion is a culture to build and a commitment to keep doing better.

The strengths women bring and the impact they make

The women of Ability Works bring a remarkable range of strengths:

• adaptability shaped by migration, disability, or navigating systems not built for them
• resilience forged through lived experience
• creativity and innovation
• empathy grounded in personal and professional journeys
• leadership that is steady, thoughtful, and human

As Sally‑Ann puts it:

“Resilience… impacts workplace culture and organisational growth.”

And as Ruby reminds us, representation matters – in workplaces, in media, and in leadership.

“I would hope to see more women in leadership positions and global inclusion of those with different access needs.”

These strengths don’t just benefit individuals; they strengthen teams, improve services, and shape more inclusive communities.

Looking forward: courage, curiosity and belonging

Across all their reflections, the hopes these women hold for the next generation are strikingly aligned. They imagine:

• workplaces where equity is built in, not fought for
• environments where people can bring their whole selves without fear
• more women in leadership across industries
• greater representation of disability, neurodiversity, and cultural diversity
• organisations that listen – genuinely and consistently

Their advice is equally powerful:

“Don’t be afraid to ask and to want.” — Esra

“Don’t underestimate the value of your perspective.” — Helen

“Choose the life that makes sense for you.” — Morgan

“Listen more – to your inner voice, to others, even to the bird song in the morning.” — Sally‑Ann

“Keep advocating for yourself — you can do or be anything.” — Ruby

These are messages for women, workplaces, communities, and anyone committed to building a more inclusive world.

Celebrating today, shaping tomorrow

International Women’s Day is a moment to celebrate women’s achievements – but at Ability Works, it’s also a reminder of why we exist: to create meaningful employment, amplify lived experience, and build workplaces where people of all backgrounds can thrive.

The women of Ability Works are engineers, leaders, creatives, advocates, parents, migrants, thinkers, and problem‑solvers. They are shaping industries, challenging assumptions, and redefining what inclusive employment looks like.

And they’re doing it not through slogans, but through everyday courage, curiosity, and connection.

Read more about each individual: