He’s concerned by statistics showing Australians with a disability are twice as likely to be unemployed as those without a disability.

Having risen to the top at the 2016 Rio Paralympics, the sportsman hopes more employers and the wider community will share the inclusive vision.

As the new face of Sureway’s Disability Employment Service (DES) program, Mr Reardon is touring regional NSW to “change the way people think on a daily basis, to try and get them to achieve more in their lives”.

On Thursday he spoke at the Dubbo launch of Sureway’s expansion of DES contracts into more than 50 new locations across south-eastern Australia from July 1.

The two-time former world champion waterskier knows all too well the job limitations that come with a disability having become a leg amputee aged 12 in a farming accident.

“I am honoured to have been chosen to perform this important role, and I welcome the opportunity to give back to an organisation that has been a lifeline for many,” he said.

“Australians with a disability are twice as likely to be unemployed as those without a disability and I hope my story will promote the DES program to job seekers and employers across rural and regional NSW, VIC and South Australia and metropolitan Adelaide.

“Ultimately, we hope to increase the number of people with a disability participating in the workforce across our local areas.”

Originally from Temora, Mr Reardon said he thought what was being done in Paralympic sport was changing thoughts about people with disabilities.

“I like to think we’re breaking down the barriers for everybody else with a disability,” he said.

“I think on the back of what was Rio and the Paralympic Games just gone in PyeongChang and then with the Commonwealth Games... I think sport has a fairly unique ability to break down people’s mindsets and see there’s more to somebody than what they might see as a disability, that there’s plenty of ability behind that disability.”

Sureway chief Matthew Hall said the appointment of Mr Reardon as the DES ambassador came at a significant time for the organisation.

“Sureway is celebrating our 20th anniversary in employment services in 2018 and over the next few months as a business we will experience significant growth right across NSW, Victoria and South Australia, taking us close to 350 employees,” he said.

“The expansion in our DES contracts will extend our current reach, and further enable people with a disability to access Sureway’s employment services and receive the support they need to find a job.”