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Disability Education and Employment News: Vol 1 No 15 - Wednesday, 7th December 2005 |
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Enhancing post secondary education, training and |
Compiled by Timothy Hart DCO for Northern, Central and Southern Sydney |
To return to the DCO Disability Newsletter Archive Page go to http://www.cdds.med.usyd.edu.au/dco/newsletter or click here
In this Disability Education and Employment News there are items on the NSW Crossroads: Information Seminar for Deaf and Hearing Impaired Students, a Kickstart 2006 seminar, the NSW Apprenticeship Program for People with Disabilities has another round of apprenticeships for 2006, a new NRMA scholarship - For People with spinal cord injuries as well as other News items, Conferences and Workshops, and Resources.
International Conferences
22nd Annual
Date: March 13-15, 2006
Sheraton Waikiki Hotel & Resort
The 22nd Annual Pacific Rim Conference on Disabilities Registration is now open! Be sure to take advantage of huge savings when you register and pay before October 31, 2005. Exhibitors and Advertisers can take advantage of Early Bird rates too! Sponsorship opportunities available and Call for Papers closes October 31, 2005. Learn more about Pac Rim 2006 go to http://www.pacrim.hawaii.edu/
AHEAD 2006
AHEAD 2006 in
http://www.ahead.org/training/conference/2006_conf/cfp.htm
For further information do not hesitate to contact Erin Evans, Program Co-Chair, AHEAD 2006 E-mail eevans@babson.edu
National Conferences
Call for Papers for 2006 National Conference of the
Expressions of interest are invited from people wishing to participate as a presenter, with the conference theme being ‘Realizing the Vision for Accessible Information: The Way Forward’. Topics include Unified English Braille in
An abstract of approximately 200 words must be submitted by Friday 27 January 2006. The conference occurs from Saturday to Tuesday, 20-23 May 2006.
Pacific International, Brisbane.
To discuss ideas for a presentation, contact Tim Evans on phone 03 9864 9605 or email tim.evans@nils.org.au . Email your abstract as a Microsoft Word attachment to Sue Oriander, 2006
ACROD's Inaugural National Conference on Social Participation
30 - 31 May 2006 -
For more information go to http://www.acrod.org.au/conferences/SP2006/home.htm
Contact Information: Gabrielle Jones, Planning Coordinator ACROD NSW
Phone 02 9503 1603 gabe@acrodnsw.net
Brain Injury
Brain Injury Australia's (BIA) will be hosting its inaugural National Conference in Gold Coast
For further information about the Conference or the final date for submission of abstracts please contact ACQ Conference & Event Management on:
Ph: (07) 3725 5588 Email: bia2006@acqi.org.au
The Inaugural Learning Disability Conference –
25 to 27 September 2006
More information soon
3rd International Forum On Disability Management
You can view the website at http://www.ifdm.com.au/
Australian Rehabilitation & Assistive Technology Association National Conference 2006
The conference will provide a forum for exploring issues in technology for people with disabilities.
Expressions of Interest are now sought from interested speakers, delegates, sponsors & exhibitors.
Contact details: A.M. Meetings Plus
Phone: 03 9372 7182 (International: +61 3 9372 7182)
Email: arata@ammp.com.au
Web site: http://www.e-bility.com/arata/conf.php
PATHWAYS 8 NATIONAL CONFERENCE 2006-Hobart
On behalf of the Australian Tertiary Education Network on Disability and the Pathways 8 Organising Committee, it is my pleasure to invite you to
For more information go to http://www.leishman-associates.com.au/pathways8/
NSW Events
"CROSSROADS: INFORMATION SEMINAR FOR DEAF AND HEARING IMPAIRED STUDENTS"
Friday 24 February 2006 University of Western
The Crossroads Seminar will bring to life post-school options information for Deaf and hearing impaired students....So when you leave school are you thinking about going to TAFE or University or getting an Apprenticeship or traineeship?
"Crossroads" seminar will provide the opportunity for you to learn about the range of education opportunities available. The information presented will include:
* Processes for entering TAFE/University
* How to get the apprenticeship/traineeship you want
* TAFE/University services available to you
* Using technology to succeed
* Finance, scholarships, allowances accommodation
Information will be presented in a dynamic and hands-on fashion, including talks from Deaf and hearing impaired students about their own experiences going to University or TAFE or getting an apprenticeship/traineeship.
While lunch is served, a number of information stalls with loads of written material for students will be available, as they showcase employment services, careers information as well as assistive technology.
So come along to get lots of information, meet new people and be entertained by a range of dynamic speakers
For further information please contact:
Liz Claridge, Crossroads Project Officer
Mob: 0418 981 199
Or
Anna Mungovan, Regional Disability Liaison Officer, Greater Western Sydney Region
Mob: 040907 3366
Email: a.mungovan@uws.edu.au
This is a FREE seminar
Victorian Events
Kickstart 2006 - Vision
This course has been developed for current and prospective tertiary students who are blind or vision impaired.
• Prepare yourself for further study.
• Find out about on and off-campus services.
• Learn about the Disability Discrimination Act and your rights as a student.
• Improve your writing skills for assignments.
• Improve your research skills by learning to use the internet and online data bases effectively.
• Learn about new audio formats.
• Meet other blind and vision impaired students and professionals who can help you.
• Learn strategies for completing study with a view to improving employment prospects.
Where: Vision
When: 23-25 January 2006
Time: 9.30am – 3.30pm
To register please contact:
Renee Williamson
Tertiary Education Consultant
Phone: 9520 5555 or 1300 55 99 87
Email: renee.williamson@rvib.org.au
Registrations close 17 January 2006 and places are limited. It is recommended that you register promptly.
"Help! Where am I?"
Students with disabilities moving from School to TAFE. This forum is designed to assist TAFE staff to plan for 2006 enrolments of students with disabilities exiting the school system.
FORUM POSTPONED UNTIL 2006.
http://www.equityresearch.org.au/new.htm
Education News:
Don't be conned by VSU deal: Labor
December 7, 2005
Labor has urged the Nationals not to be conned by any deal to ram through parliament a bill to end compulsory student unionism.
The government is expecting to vote on its voluntary student unionism laws on Thursday or Friday but still hasn't secured the numbers to get its legislation through the senate.
For the rest of the article go to
Literacy war - back to basics
By Samantha Maiden
08dec05
The report will demand the reintroduction of phonics, which relies on knowledge of the alphabet and decoding words by breaking them into syllables and sounds - such as CAT, C-A-T - as the centrepiece of teaching literacy. It will also recommend a radical shake-up of teacher training in the nation's universities and national literacy tests for under-8s.
For the rest of the article go to
http://www.thecouriermail.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,17495895%5E421,00.html
New VSU moves get angry response
Brendan O'Keefe
December 07, 2005
UNIVERSITIES and students are angry about two new plans for the introduction of voluntary student unionism.
As revealed in The Australian this week, federal Education Minister Brendan Nelson is considering opening up the question to a nationwide referendum of about 600,000 students. And last week, the Coalition partyroom decided the legislation would apply from July 1 next year, regardless of whether it passed through parliament this year.
For the rest of the article go to
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,17484151%5E12332,00.html
Brendan O'Keefe
December 02, 2005
MILLIONS of dollars in funding to universities will be suspended while the federal Department of Education, Science and Training decides whether their enterprise bargaining agreements comply with government guidelines.
And the federal Opposition accused DEST yesterday of planning surprise visits by teams that will police industrial relations compliance on campus.
For the rest of the article go to
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,17433014%5E2702,00.html
Joyce threatens to cross floor on VSU
November 30, 2005 - 4:46PM
Queensland Nationals senator Barnaby Joyce is threatening to cross the floor for a second time, this time over government plans to introduce a user-pays system for student services on university campuses.
Senator Joyce gave his strongest indication yet he would only support an amendment to the controversial legislation, rather than an alternative funding package to protect regional campus services.
For the rest of the article go to
New jobs going to graduates: study
A new study of the Australian workforce is describing education as the "silver bullet" for job seekers.
The report by AMP and the National Centre for Social and Economic Modelling (NATSEM) has found that seven out of 10 new jobs are now being secured by university graduates.
For the rest of the article go to
http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200511/s1519228.htm
http://www.abc.net.au/rural/content/2005/s1519086.htm
Smaller unis among best performing
Samantha Maiden
November 30, 2005
The results reveal the nation's best-performing universities include smaller institutions, such as the
Prestige research-intensive universities such as the
The top 13 teaching universities, between which the $50million will be shared, were announced by Education Minister Brendan Nelson last night.
They were ranked on the basis of students' employment outcomes or further full-time study, student satisfaction, attrition rates and student progress.
For the rest of the article go to
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,17410968%255E2702,00.html
Graduate job hopes exposed in survey
Brendan O'Keefe
November 30, 2005
FINAL-YEAR university students in 2005 have lower expectations of their first salaries than did their counterparts last year, a survey of 7812 graduates conducted exclusively for the HES has found. But there is a pleasant surprise: employers say they are prepared to pay more than graduates expect to make.
Graduating students in
A survey of 124 bosses found their expected payout to the first-year intake was $40,000.
Graduates of the
For the rest of the article go to
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,17407728%255E12332,00.html
Graduate model not the panacea
Michael Gallagher
November 30, 2005
EVEN if the bold new plan for the
The graduate model, proposed earlier this month by
There are educational grounds for a more generalised first degree that precedes or blends with specialisation. The skills of
For the rest of the article go to
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,17406183%255E12332,00.html
University staff reject pay deal
By David Rood
November 29, 2005
For the second time this month, academic and general staff voted against an agreement, with the tertiary union saying it eroded work conditions.
The Howard Government's higher education workplace changes require staff to be offered individual workplace agreements in order for universities to receive the increase in core funding.
For the rest of the article go to
NSW says yes to school tests
By Justin Norrie Education Reporter
November 29, 2005
NATIONWIDE literacy and numeracy tests will be phased in through more than 300 NSW schools as part of the Federal Government's push towards a national exam scheme.
The state Education Minister, Carmel Tebbutt, has given cautious approval to a trial next year of the tests, which the Federal Government has made a condition of $31billion in funding. They are due to be introduced in all Australian schools by 2008.
Students in years 3, 5, 7 and 9 at schools chosen randomly from the government and non-government sectors, will be tested next year in reading, writing, spelling and numeracy in exams drawn up by a federal education taskforce.
For the rest of the article go to
http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/nsw-says-yes-to-school-tests/2005/11/28/1133026404795.html
Nelson's plan for education standard
Samantha Maiden
November 28, 2005
EDUCATION Minister Brendan Nelson has proposed a national standards agency for school curriculums designed to fast-track a new Year 12 certificate in
The new body is designed to increase national consistency in Year 12 assessment and curriculums, ensuring comparability of results and less upheaval when students move interstate.
Dr Nelson's planned Australian Certificate of Education will require the approval of the states and embrace new national curriculum standards in English, maths and science.
For the rest of the article go to
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,17385512%5E12332,00.html
National exam to be based on HSC
November 25, 2005
THE HSC is set to evolve into a standardised national course under radical changes aimed at producing an Australia-wide end-of-school qualification.
And NSW's world-class Year 12 exam is expected to become one of the foundation planks of the planned Australian Certificate of Education.
The Daily Telegraph has learned that building on the established and highly regarded HSC is the most likely outcome of a national inquiry into school leaving credentials.
Proposals to create a separate qualification that rates above the HSC -- such as a university aptitude test or International Baccalaureate-style exam -- are not expected to be investigated any further.
Parent and employer groups support retention of the HSC which they believe, in time, will develop into a nationally accepted standard.
For the rest of the article go to
http://dailytelegraph.news.com.au/story/0,20281,17353485-5001021,00.html
Employment News:
Disabled civil servants disappearing: MP
December 8, 2005 - 8:44AM
An influential government backbencher will write to Prime Minister John Howard demanding he do more to lift the numbers of disabled people in the public service.
The number of disabled employees in the commonwealth public service has fallen steadily in the past decade.
In 1996, when the coalition government first came to power, 5.4 per cent of staff in government departments and agencies reported having a disability.
But at June this year the figure was 3.8 per cent, or 4,680 people.
More than one third of those were employed in a single agency - Centrelink.
For the rest of the article go to
Mike Steketee: Built-in contradictions
December 01, 2005
THE two landmark reforms now before federal parliament may come to be seen as the culmination of John Howard's political career, whether or not he decides to pull up stumps next year.
One deregulates the labour market and attacks union power; the other aims to move people off welfare and into work. Both embody themes that have been constants in Howard's long years in public life: encouraging individual freedom and initiative and cutting back the props and protections provided by government and unions.
This makes it all the more surprising that they contain such contradictory components, including in the way they interact with each other. At the same time the welfare-to-work measures act to reduce welfare dependency, the industrial relations reforms work to increase the numbers receiving welfare. The welfare reforms include in the same package incentives for people to take up work and new ways of discouraging them from doing so. The Government sells the industrial relations reforms as allowing more flexibility for employees with family responsibilities, but they tilt the playing field so far to employers that they have the potential to increase the strains on family life.
For the rest of the article go to
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,17421013%5E601,00.html
Staff crisis to hit 13,000 jobs
BRONWYN HURRELL
25nov05
SA is facing a shortage of 13,000 workers within five years because of its ageing population, according to latest workforce projections.
A national employee shortage is expected to reach 195,000 in 2010, with the manufacturing and retail trade sectors forecast to suffer the largest shortfalls.
The relative negative impact of population ageing will hit hardest in SA, which already has the country's oldest population.
Employers will have to retain mature workers and make workplaces friendlier to parents and the disabled to arrest the problem, the Federal Government says.
For the rest of the article go to
http://www.theadvertiser.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,17357651%255E911,00.html
Chronic worker shortage by 2010
By
25nov05
The nation's population is ageing so fast that
Every state will be affected, with
The gloomy predictions are detailed in a new report by the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations, based on modelling by the Centre of Policy Studies at
This "accelerated population ageing" will make it hard for businesses in all "major occupational groups" to find the workers they need, particularly in the mining, manufacturing and trade sectors.
For the rest of the article go to
http://townsvillebulletin.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,7034,17359533%255E462,00.html
Welfare News:
Democrats to move welfare amendments
Date: 02/12/05
The Democrats say they will move an amendment to the government's welfare-to-work legislation in the Senate next week, and have challenged coalition senators to back the changes.
The amendment calls for guarantees that single parents or anyone on a disability pension required to undertake extra work search activities will not have their income cut under the legislation.
For the rest of the article go to
http://seven.com.au/news/topstories/125981
Welfare-to-work reforms counterproductive, says Moylan
http://www.abc.net.au/lateline/content/2005/s1521258.htm
Lib MP scathing on new welfare deal
By David Wroe,
December 1, 2005
LIBERAL MP and former minister Judi Moylan has delivered a stinging attack on her own party's welfare-to-work changes, further shaking the Coalition's increasingly fragile unity.
The former family services minister gave a passionate speech to Parliament yesterday arguing the changes would hurt the most disadvantaged Australians, including the disabled, the mentally ill and sole parents.
She urged Parliament to oppose the parts of the legislation that meant cutting many welfare recipients' benefits.
For the rest of the article go to
http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/libs-concerns-on-welfare/2005/11/30/1133311107161.html
http://dailytelegraph.news.com.au/story/0,20281,17416380-5001028,00.html
Proposed welfare changes under attack
November 30, 2005 - 9:59AM
The Howard government is under attack from its own ranks over its overhaul of
The welfare-to-work legislation will usher in the biggest changes to
As debate on the legislation began in parliament on Wednesday, West Australian MP Judi Moylan launched a scathing attack on the changes, warning they could act as a disincentive to people finding work.
For the rest of the article go to
Fast Senate inquiry backs welfare overhaul
By Stephanie Peatling
November 29, 2005
Only minor changes to the Government's controversial new welfare system have been suggested by a lightning inquiry which has approved the biggest shake-up in social security for more than 50 years.
After only a four-day inquiry, Government members of the committee recommended Parliament pass the changes which affect people with disabilities who are assessed as capable of working 15 hours a week and parents with school-aged children who apply for welfare after July 1 next year.
Their payments will be lowered and most will be required to look for part-time work.
For the rest of the article go to
Farewell to welfare
Moving up … Maria Crowley looks forward to teaching after studying while on sole parent benefit, an option removed by new legislation.
November 29, 2005
New legislation will push single parents and pensioners into a different employment environment, report Stephanie Peatling and Nick O'Malley.
When Maria Crowley sits her last exams next year, she will finish four years of study. The mother of seven will receive her Bachelors of Arts and Education, knowing the hard work of studying and raising children will be rewarded with a teaching career.
It has not been easy for
Under sweeping changes about to become law, such a step up in a single mother's prospects might be impossible. Two sets of legislation, dubbed by the Government the Welfare to Work and the WorkChoices bills, will act in concert to force tens of thousands of people off welfare into work, and control the conditions under which they work, making it easier for employers to take them on.
The Government hopes it will make the nation wealthier, buffer the economy against possible downturns and increase real wages.
Critics fear it is a sign that policy emphasis has shifted from finding decent work for all to finding any work for all, regardless of the wellbeing of the worker. They fear it marks the rise of the US notion of "workfare", where people on the fringes of the American economy are kept in an endless cycle of unreliable work and welfare rather than being given the training and education needed to move into real careers.
For the rest of the article go to
http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/farewell-to-welfare/2005/11/28/1133026404798.html
More scrutiny of welfare-to-work
By David Wroe,
November 29, 2005
HARSH or unfair use by bureaucrats of the Howard Government's welfare-to-work changes could be vetoed by Parliament under recommendations by a Government-dominated Senate inquiry.
Fears that too many details of the welfare-to-work changes will be left up to bureaucrats and Centrelink officers have prompted the Senate committee to call for Parliament to be given more scrutiny of the way the overhaul will be put into practice.
The $3.6 billion welfare-to-work changes aim to get more single parents, long-term unemployed and disabled people back into the workforce. The legislation will force people to look for suitable work if they are able and to accept suitable job offers unless there are special circumstances that prevent them. They will be considered "in breach" and will suffer penalties if they do not comply.
But many of the details, including what constitutes a suitable job, a special circumstance and a breach, are not specified in the legislation but will be laid down in guidelines to be written by the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations.
For the rest of the article go to
http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/more-scrutiny-of-welfaretowork/2005/11/28/1133026406290.html
Committee hands down welfare report
November 28, 2005 - 2:34AM
Parents on welfare with large families should not have to look for work under controversial changes to
The Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee has had just two weeks to consider the contentious welfare-to-work proposals, which aim to push more single parents and disabled people into the workforce.
But committee chair, Liberal senator Gary Humphries, on Monday said parents in large families - with four or more children - should not have to look for work.
For the rest of the article go to
http://www.thecouriermail.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,17397122%255E953,00.html
The report can be found at http://www.aph.gov.au/Senate/committee/clac_ctte/welfare_to_work/report/index.htm
Minimum wage earners not poor
By David Uren
26nov05
WORKERS on low incomes do not necessarily live in poverty, according to the findings of a national study that challenges the link between wages and prosperity.
The study shows that a quarter of the workforce earning the minimum wage or less are not confined to the poorest households but are found in households all the way up the income scale.
The 3.3million workers earning close to or less than the minimum wage of $12.30 an hour or less include a disproportionate number of young people and women, many of whom live in well-off households which may include other wage earners.
Less than a fifth of low-income earners are in the poorest 20per cent of households where weekly income is $226 or less.
The great majority of these households have nobody in the workforce and include retirees.
The numbers contained in the study by
For the rest of the article go to
http://www.thecouriermail.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,17365987%255E421,00.html
Jobs:
Apprenticeship Program for People with Disabilities 2005/06
The NSW Apprenticeship Program for People with Disabilities commenced in 1981 to mark the International Year of Disabled Persons. The Program provides on-the-job trade training opportunities in state government departments and statutory authorities to people with assessed disabilities.
The NSW Department of Education and Training (DET) with assistance from the Commonwealth Department of Education, Science and Training (DEST) fully funds the award wage and allowances for the apprenticeship.
In 2005/06 we expect that up to 21 new positions will be filled. Positions are advertised in the press and through other relevant agencies. You can view the positions here.
Selection panels comprising representatives of the employer and DET will select the most suitable applicant for each position. Applicants considered suitable are assessed by the Commonwealth to decide eligibility for the Disabled New Apprentices Wages Subsidy (DNAWS). DET makes up the difference between DNAWS and the total wage costs. Selected applicants are expected to begin work in early 2006.
Closing date for lodgment of Application Forms has been extended until 5pm, Friday 16 December 2005
Application form in Microsoft Word format here https://www.det.nsw.edu.au/industryprograms/programs/apprprog/empapplc.doc
Contact Information: NSW Department of Education & Training
https://www.det.nsw.edu.au/industryprograms/programs/apprprog/
New Resources:
Data and Statistics - Disability in
http://www.aihw.gov.au/publications/aus/aw05/aw05-c05.pdf
Macquarie Customised Accessibility Services (M-CAS), an initiative of
This unique service continues to be available to universities around
M-CAS is currently seeking partners to run pilot programmes within businesses, big or small. The pilot programme will assess the workplace or study needs for a person with a disability and work with employer, employee, and related team members alike to customise a solution.
If you are interested in participating in an M-CAS industry pilot, please contact
Miriam Holder on (02) 9850.8981 or 0419.468.072; or email mholder@laurel.ocs.mq.edu.au .
For more information about M-CAS visit us on the web at www.cfl.mq.edu.au/mcas/ or www.cfl.mq.edu.au/mcas/industry.htm
Article on Considerations for people with a disability from Training Packages @ Work, November/December 2005 edition
"There has been an increased awareness of disability issues in the vocational education and training sector in recent years, but people with a disability still do not participate as actively in training as other Australians, and do not enjoy the same employment successes. Every trainer, assessor and staff member from a registered training organisation therefore needs to be aware of the challenges facing learners with a disability, and understand how to include and support all learners".
The article can be found at http://www.tpatwork.com/ViewArticle.asp?articleid=1913
The BizAbility website
We are pleased to offer you one website which will provide you with the ability to purchase online, a diverse range of high quality products and services supplied by 230 independent disability business services across
The BizAbility website provides:
The website can be found at www.bizability.com.au
Transforming Disability: community inclusion, employment and innovative reform conference
The website now has some of the transcripts from the conference up.
http://www.public-policy.unimelb.edu.au/events/transforming_disability.html
Centrelink has a website outlining the ‘Welfare to Work’ changes.
Click here to go to website. Or go to http://www.centrelink.gov.au/internet/internet.nsf/services/welfare_work.htm
Spotlight on Useful Resources:
The Australian Disability Clearinghouse on Education and Training (ADCET) is a web based information source that provides up to date, accurate and comprehensive information about inclusive teaching, learning and assessment strategies, accommodations and support services for people with disabilities.
Users no longer have to enter email and password to get access to information on the ADCET website.
Australasian Network of Students With Disabilities (ANSWD)
ANSWD is a student organisation, advocating, promoting, lobbying and campaigning on disability issues. We seek to achieve equality, access, and representation of students with disabilities in the tertiary education sector.
Who's missing out? Access and equity in vocational education and training
This report explores access to vocational education and training (and university) currently and historically over the past 20 years. It reports that those young people most likely to miss out on vocational education and training include those with disabilities, young people still living at home, children from single-parent families and those families with a history of parental unemployment. Those individuals face patterns of 'cumulative disadvantage'. In addition, the report argues strongly for striking a balance between the pursuit of social and economic outcomes as being essential for community-based initiatives aimed at addressing access and equity in vocational education and training.
http://www.ncver.edu.au/publications/1611.html
Australian vocational education and training statistics: Pocket guide
This publication, presented in pocket guide format, contains highlights from the 2004 vocational education and training (VET) statistics collection. It also includes key data on VET, apprentices and trainees' training activity, and information on technical and further education (TAFE) graduates obtained from the 2004 Student Outcomes Survey.
http://www.ncver.edu.au/publications/1633.html
More Australians take up apprenticeships
The number of people commencing an apprenticeship or traineeship continued to grow in the year ending 30 June 2005, up 4% from the previous year to 265 000.
On a seasonally adjusted basis, commencements have grown for five successive quarters. Commencements in traditional apprenticeships in the twelve months to the end of June 2005 also grew, and were up 14% to 59 400. The statistics also reveal that more people are commencing apprenticeships or traineeships at higher qualification levels (commencements at AQF level III rose by 8%) and in contracts of duration of more than two years (up 25%). Further information about apprentice and trainee activity is available from 'Australian vocational education and training statistics: Apprentices and trainees - June quarter 2005, Summary'.
http://www.ncver.edu.au/publications/1650.html
Annual Reports of the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission provide an overview of the Commission and its work during the financial year period.
The 2004-05 Annual Report for the period ending 30 June 2005 is produced pursuant to section 45 of the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission Act 1986. The report has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of section 70 of the Public Service Act 1999.
The 2004-05 Annual Report is now available at: http://www.humanrights.gov.au/annrep04_05/index.html
http://www.cdds.med.usyd.edu.au/dco/Scholarships.htm
Deafness Forum Scholarships for 2006.
The Scholarships are available to students planning to take further education in 2006 and are expressly designed to support students who are deaf or hearing impaired by contributing to ongoing costs for their tuition.
The Scholarship guidelines and application form can be downloaded from our webpage http://www.deafnessforum.org.au/scholarships.htm
Deadline for the applications to be received is Friday 6 January 2006.
Should you have any questions please feel free to contact
Kirsten Preece
Policy & Project Officer
Deafness Forum of
Tel: 02 6262 7808
TTY: 02 6262 7809
Website: www.deafnessforum.org.au www.hearingawarenessweek.org.au
NSW: The Ruth Marion Fardell Scholarship
For Students with a Physical Disability Undertaking Tertiary Education in New South Wales in 2006
INFORMATION FOR APPLICANTS
This scholarship has been set up in memory of Ruth Marion Fardell to assist students with a physical disability with the costs entailed in tertiary education. These are many and varied and not encountered by the able bodied students. The participation of people with physical disabilities within the community and into the workforce is to be strongly encouraged. Education is central to this process. Students with a physical disability should have every opportunity to be as independent as possible.
Seven scholarships up to the value of $5,000 each ($2,500 for part time students) are available for the two year period 2006/07.
Scholarships are only for students who have a physical disability, are Australian citizens and studying at TAFE or University.
A student must have been accepted into a fulltime/part-time TAFE/university course in NSW, or be currently enrolled, to be considered for a scholarship. Students who are proceeding to a higher degree are also eligible. (Part time studies minimum of 10 hours a week will also be considered).
Application forms can be obtained by contacting Elizabeth Mead at Northcott on (02) 9890 0100. Completed applications must be returned by 3rd February, 2006.
For further information contact:
Elizabeth Mead Phone: (02) 9890 0100
or
Email: spinecare@northcott.com.au
Postal Address: P0
NSW: The Gregory and Dolores Farrell Scholarship
For Wheelchair Users Undertaking Tertiary Education in New South Wales in 2006
The scholarships are to assist students who are wheelchair users with the costs entailed in tertiary education. These are many and varied and not encountered by the able bodied. The integration of wheelchair users into the community and into the workforce is to be strongly encouraged. Education is central to this process. Students with a physical disability and reliant on a wheelchair should have every opportunity to gain independence in our society.
Two scholarships up to the value of $5,000 each are available for 2006.
Scholarships are only for permanent wheelchair users who are Australian citizens.
A student must have been accepted into a full time university course in NSW, or be currently enrolled, to be considered for a scholarship. Students who are proceeding to a higher degree are also eligible, as are students who have been accepted for post graduate study in
An application form, available from The Foundation and must be competed and returned by 3rd February, 2006, to the address below. The completed application form may be posted, faxed or emailed.
SpineCare Foundation
Address:
Contact: Elizabeth Mead Phone: (02) 9890 0100
Fax: (02) 9683 2827
or
Email: spinecare@northcott.com.au
NRMA scholarship - For People with spinal cord injury
ParaQuad offers a range of scholarships, covering academic education from primary to tertiary level, as well as those pursuing other career directions, for example in sport.
New scholarships for people with a spinal cord injury available in 2006
How to Apply
Applications are currently being accepted for the NRMA Insurance Scholarships. Applications for the NRMA Scholarships close 7 February 2006.
There are three NRMA Insurance Scholarships of $5,000 each to help with tertiary education at a university, TAFE college or registered private college for individuals with an acquired spinal cord injury residing in NSW.
The $5000 scholarships can cover tertiary education fees for a year up to the value of $5000, and/or items such as a contribution to a carer’s allowance, computer hardware and assistance (scribes and word-processing services) , as well as tuition fees, to name a few options.
To apply, future and current students must carefully read the information leaflet and guidelines, and complete the application form. For a hard copy please email us at scholarships@paraquad.org.au, or phone (02) 8741 5622.
http://www.paraquad.nsw.asn.au/page.asp?partid=229&versionid=231
Media Releases:
Statement by Human Rights Commissioner and Acting Disability Discrimination Commissioner, Dr Sev Ozdowski OAM
http://www.hreoc.gov.au/media_releases/2005/64_05.html
7 December 2005
New welfare legislation flawed - ACOSS
“It is regrettable that the largest reduction in income support for decades has been approved by the Parliament after only a few weeks’ scrutiny and in the face of widespread community concern," said ACOSS President Andrew McCallum.
"ACOSS would like to express its thanks for the efforts of many MPs and Senators to inject fairness into this legislation. ACOSS also appreciates the work of its members, community organisations and people affected by the legislation to lobby for change throughout the year.”
For the rest of this Media Release go
http://www.acoss.org.au/News.aspx?displayID=99&articleID=377
Hon Peter Dutton MP - Minister for Workforce Participation
07 December, 2005
Welfare to Work - More services to help those who are able to work, into a job
The passage of the Welfare to Work reforms through the Parliament last night is a crucial step forward in breaking generational unemployment and helping more Australians off welfare and into work.
For the rest of this Media Release go
Senator Andrew Bartlett
Deputy Parliamentary Leader and Democrats Senator for
Australian Democrats spokesperson for Family & Community Services
Dated: 05 December 2005
Minister Continues to Dodge the Truth About the Core Flaw of Welfare to Work Legislation
Senator Andrew Bartlett has condemned the Federal Government’s response to the Community Affairs Committee report on the Welfare to Work legislation and the Australian Democrats’ amendments as just more whitewashing and propaganda.
The Government’s release trumpets the announcement of ‘key recommendations (of the Committee)being accepted as commonsense proposals’. However, it ignores that these ‘commonsense proposals’ will do absolutely nothing to prevent people having their incomes cut under this legislation. It also contains this quote:
”This is in contrast to proposals from the Australian Democrats which will do nothing to improve the prospects of moving people from welfare to work and are simply seeking to maintain the status quo.”
For the rest of this Media Release go
http://www.democrats.org.au/news/index.htm?press_id=4932&display=1
Hon Peter Dutton MP - Minister for Workforce Participation
02 December, 2005
International Day of People with a Disability: A day to focus on ability rather than disability
On the eve of the International Day of People with a Disability, Minister for Workforce Participation, Peter Dutton, has highlighted the importance of helping more people with a disability into the workforce.
For the rest of this Media Release go http://mediacentre.dewr.gov.au/mediacentre/MinisterDutton/Releases/InternationalDayofPeoplewithaDisabilityAdaytofocusonabilityratherthandisability.htm
THE REAL STORY BEHIND UNMET DEMAND FOR UNI PLACES
1 December 2005 MIN 2056/05
New research released today by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) has revealed that the main reason for a university applicant to miss out on a place is a lower academic result – not a shortage of places on offer.
The research included an analysis of data for Year 12 students in 2001 and showed that those who did not receive an offer for university in 2002 had an average ENTER (Equivalent National Tertiary Entrance Rank) score substantially lower than those students who gained a place.
For the rest of this Media Release go to
http://www.dest.gov.au/Ministers/Media/Nelson/2005/12/n2056011205.asp
Youth Pathways and Local Community Partnerships
http://www.dest.gov.au/sectors/career_development/default.htm
On Friday 25 November, Dr Brendan Nelson, Minister for Education, Science and Training announced the preferred organisations to receive contract offers to deliver the new Youth Pathways (YP) services to young people most at risk of not making a successful transition through school and from school to further education or work. He also announced the preferred organisations to deliver the expanded range of Local Community Partnership (LCP) career and transition programmes.
Hon Peter Dutton MP - Minister for Workforce Participation
Welfare to Work is in the best interest of Australian families
Australian parents are far better off in a job than on welfare and should not be subjected to tactics designed to scare them over the Government’s Welfare to Work reforms, Minister for Workforce Participation, Peter Dutton, said today.
For the rest of this Media Release go to
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Disclaimer:
The views and opinions expressed in this newsletter are those of the individual authors and not necessarily those of the DCO for Northern, Central and
The information contained in this newsletter is accurate to the best of our knowledge and No responsibility is taken for its accuracy.
The Disability News Archive can be found at http://www.cdds.med.usyd.edu.au/dco/newsletter/
Vol 1 No 15
Compiled by Timothy Hart the DCO for Northern, Central and
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