Bianca Stern: an ally for disability inclusion

Tell me about All Things Equal.

All Things Equal is a not-for-profit hospitality social enterprise that exists to bridge the gap between people with disability and the wider community. We do that through providing purposeful training and award wage employment in hospitality-based settings.

We run a café on Carlisle Street, which is a pumping place for the Jewish community in Melbourne; we run a cooking school; a footy club canteen with Ajax Junior Football Club; and we do catering for our local community as well.

The goal of what we do is for our trainees – our staff members with disability – to develop hospitality skills, confidence and independence. We’re essentially the stepping stone for them to develop those skills and then move on and up into the open labour market.

Where do you fit in within the charity?

I have a strong disability background and focus, and my role at All Things Equal is incredibly broad. I do all the community engagement, philanthropy, advocacy, marketing, and strategy.

I really, really love what I do. I wouldn't be in the position that I'm in today if it weren’t for all the other amazing Jewish community initiatives that exist which supported me to develop my leadership skills and provided me volunteering opportunities.