A Kyneton supermarket worker with cerebral palsy was targeted by customers during the pandemic

Hayden Walsh, pictured with his family, was abused for being a worker with a disability.  (ABC Ballarat: Rhiannon Stevens)

Hayden Walsh has spent years giving to his community in Kyneton, north of Melbourne.

The 31-year-old volunteers at his local footy club and works two jobs.

But when the pandemic arrived in 2020, Mr Walsh, who usually greets customers with a smile from behind the check-out desk of his local supermarket, was targeted by abusive customers.

Hayden Walsh plays football but is also a volunteer time keeper for his local footy team. (Supplied: Hayden Walsh)

Mr Walsh, who lives with cerebral palsy, said people were very abusive to him and his whole team, but being discriminated against because he has a disability was distressing.

'I've got a young family to feed so I had to push on, I'm a frontline worker, I'm just like anyone else,' he said.

'I'm out there having a crack'

But working two jobs like Mr Walsh does is an achievement.

At last count, Australia had one of the lowest employment rates for disabled people amongst the OECD, and many people living with a disability say they are discriminated against when looking for work.

Hayden Walsh, has joined the Dylan Alcott Foundation to advocate for inclusion of people with disability in sport and the workplace. (Supplied: Hayden Walsh)

During the 2020 lockdowns, when abuse peaked during the supermarket toilet paper shortages, Mr Walsh said he was buoyed by the support of some of the customers he sees each week at the check-out.

While working to buy a house with his wife Yessah, Mr Walsh has also joined the Dylan Alcott Foundation to advocate for inclusion of people with disability in sport and the workplace.