ACTIV Foundation has thrown the lives of more than 700 supported employees (people with disabilities) and 90 staff members into turmoil after they announced they were closing seven of their workshops across Perth and regional WA.

CEO Michael Heath told Liam Bartlett on 6PR Mornings the cuts were necessary as the non-for-profit organisation was losing hundreds of thousands of dollars a month, blaming changes to the National Disability Insurance Scheme funding. (Image above shows Activ workers filling showbags for the Perth Royal Show)

He said the provider would move towards personalised, community-based work programs and an ‘Activ Academy’, which aimed to provide people with disability the skills to help them live and work independently.

Heath said cuts in funding through a move to the NDIS and a trend towards targeted and personalised support in the disability sector had forced the organisation’s hand.

Press PLAY below to hear Michael Heath interviewed on 6PR Mornings

In a Facebook post, the brother of an Activ employee slammed the disability employer for “putting such little value” into the wellbeing of their staff.

Joseph Catalano has been with the agency working in packaging for 17 years and is one of hundreds of people accessing the supported employment plan, but he now faces a major upheaval following Monday’s shock announcement.

“Activ Foundation decided for no valid reason that Joseph and his 700 colleagues will no longer have a job come July. Not only this, we found out through the media,” Laurie Catalano said.

“Never thought I’d see the day when our most vulnerable would need a picket line, but here we go.”