Social firms: creating accessible employment for people of all abilities

Social Firms Australia (SoFA) is a not- for- profit organisation developing social firms in Australia. SoFA is committed to improving the quality of life as well as the social and economic integration of Australians living with a psychiatric disability.

What is a social firm?
The social firm model originated in Italy in the 1960s, and is now widespread throughout Europe and the United Kingdom. A social firm is a not-for-profit business enterprise whose purpose is to create employment for people with a disability. Modifications required for employees in need of support are built into the design of the workplace.

A social firm has a supportive work environment that:

• employs between 25- 50% of its employees with a disability.
• is based on the premise that every worker is paid the award rate or productivity based rate.
• provides the same work opportunities to the disadvantaged and non-disadvantaged employees.
• provides all employees with the same employment rights and obligations.

UPCOMING
EVENTS

SoFA's Annual Social Firms Forum

will now be a 2 day event

on
Monday 24th November and
Tuesday 25th November

Click here to register your interest in attending and you will be placed on SoFA's mail out list.

click below for the:

2008 Forum Program

2008 Forum Registration

SoFA Social Firms Information Kit

Request a copy of the SoFA Social Firm Information Kit. Please include 'Infokit' in the subject line.