We are a social enterprise What does it mean?
Why be a business for good?
Did you know that The Easy Read Toolbox is a certified social enterprise through Social Traders Australia? Did you also know that there are 12000 social enterprises in Australia contributing $21.3 billion to the Australian economy each year, and employ over 200,000 people?
SECNA or Social Enterprise Council of NSW & ACT defines a social enterprise as:
A social enterprise is a business that puts people and planet first. They trade like any other business but exist specifically to make the world a better place.[1]
We do exactly that. The Easy Read Toolbox employs people with disabilities and pays them award or above wages. At least 80% of our team live with disabilities ranging from chronic conditions to forms of neurodiversity. Those who do not live with disability are carers of people with disability.
The Toolbox creates real impact and supports organisations and businesses to make a real difference.
Our workplace model reflects our ethos. We look after our team and support them to do their best work. Productivity does not suffer because each person is encouraged to play to their strengths. Our diverse team consists of several part-time staff and a dedicated team of over twenty contractors, all of whom bring unique perspectives and experiences to our projects. For some team members, this is their inaugural foray into the workforce, symbolising a significant milestone in their lives.
Their enthusiasm, fresh ideas and untapped potential infuse our team with vigour and fresh ideas. We have an understanding of diversity and intersectionality and aim to recognise and represent it in our work and team. We work within a human rights framework.
The Australian Human Rights Commission lists Freedom of Information, opinion and expression as a basic human right [2]. The right to access to information is crucial to people exercising that human right. However, they’re unable to use freely given information if they cannot understand it. Yet we see repeatedly that content is written in language and formats that large sectors of our population cannot understand or access.
Our impact lies in our tireless effort to help make important and essential information accessible to all. Social enterprise is business for good. Shouldn’t all business be business for good?
Watch our video to find out more about The Easy Read Toolbox.
[1]
Freedom of information, opinion and expression | Australian Human Rights Commission accessed 4/9/2025
[2]
What is a social enterprise? — SECNA accessed 4/9/2025
