About Us

Proudly Small Business, Australian Owned, Built for Social Impact

About Employ For Ability

Employ for Ability is a proudly Australian-owned, women-owned, disability-led small business and social purpose organisation. Founded in Canberra and operating nationally, we combine lived experience, professional expertise, and evidence-based practice to strengthen inclusion across workplaces and communities. As a small business, we bring agility, personalised service, and deep stakeholder engagement to every project.

Established in 2019, Employ for Ability is dedicated to helping organisations build inclusive capability and better support, value, and embrace neurodivergent talent. With over 60% of our team identifying as neurodivergent, we bring a neuro-affirming perspective informed by lived experience and evidence-based practice.

We focus on reducing barriers, unlocking strengths, and creating environments where neurodivergent individuals can thrive. At the same time, we partner with organisations to build confidence, awareness, and inclusive structures—helping workplaces reduce unconscious bias and celebrate diverse ways of thinking, working, and contributing. This dual approach strengthens both individual outcomes and organisational culture.

Our programs are designed and delivered by professionals with both lived experience and deep expertise in neurodiversity. This ensures all training, coaching, and consultancy is authentic, high-quality, and aligned with broader diversity, equity, and inclusion goals.

Alongside our workplace services, Employ for Ability also delivers NDIS-funded capacity-building supports for neurodivergent adults. These programs include employment readiness coaching, executive functioning support, social and community participation groups, and tailored skill-building initiatives. This community-focused work keeps our practice grounded, informed, and connected to the real-life experiences of the neurodivergent community.

Our Founders

About David Smith

David Smith is the Co-Founder of Employ for Ability and a practising Developmental Educator, registered with Developmental Educators Australia. He is a recognised specialist in Autism and Neurodiversity employment, with more than 25 years of experience across recruitment, coaching, and capability-building. Throughout his career, David has supported organisations, candidates, and teams to reach their potential through inclusive, strength-based practice.

Since 2016, David has focused on helping workplaces understand, value, and successfully employ neurodivergent talent. David has overseen the design and delivery of all EFA training programs, drawing on his Master of Autism and extensive experience to ensure each session is neuro-affirming, evidence-informed, and grounded in real-world practice. He works with government agencies, corporate employers, and community organisations to demonstrate how neurodiversity strengthens teams and improves workplace outcomes.

David holds a Master of Autism from the University of Wollongong, a Graduate Certificate in Autism Studies, a Master of Organisational Development, a Graduate Certificate in Training and Development, a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, and a Bachelor of Science from UNSW (ADFA). He completed the Oxford Advanced Management and Leadership Program in 2016 and received Oxford University’s Outstanding Alumnus Award in 2019.

About Anne Smith

Anne Smith is the Co-Founder and Owner of Employ for Ability, a women-owned and disability-led social purpose organisation. Anne and her husband founded EFA after their autistic son’s diagnosis highlighted the confronting reality that autistic and neurodivergent Australians face some of the highest unemployment rates in the country. Their family’s experience sparked a commitment to build an organisation that could create meaningful, long-term change.

Anne brings strong expertise in systems thinking, training and program design, operational strategy, finance, and staff leadership. She oversees the development of EFA’s neuro-affirming training programs and internal frameworks, ensuring all services are grounded in lived experience, evidence-based practice, and practical, scalable design. Her work focuses on creating the operational structures, service models, and learning pathways that enable both individuals and organisations to thrive.

Beyond EFA’s day-to-day operations, Anne is driven by a deep belief that every neurodivergent person deserves access to meaningful employment—and that workplaces need the right knowledge, systems, and support to make this possible. Her son’s brilliant sense of humour, unique way of seeing the world, and strong sense of justice continue to inspire her work and purpose, shaping an organisation dedicated to real-world impact and genuine inclusion.

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