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Disability Education and Employment News:Vol 2 No 10 - Wednesday, 14th June 2006 |
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Enhancing post secondary education, training and employment opportunities for people with a disability RDLO & DCOs National Website |
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 Edition of the Disability Education and Employment News we have information on a one-day mental health conference to be held in Victoria, new information on the next DEAN Professional Development Day ‘Welfare to Work Reforms: What are the Changes and how will they Impact on People with Disabilities in Education, Training and Employment?’ and the ‘Employment Summit - Pathways to Employment’ held by NSW Council for Intellectual Disability (NSW CID) and Council for Social Services NSW (NCOSS).
Plus other News articles, Conferences and Workshops, a bunch of New Resources and other information for the disability education and employment sectors.
Please distribute the Newsletter to those that you think would be interested in it.
If you have a Resource, a Scholarship, Workshop, Conference, an Event or any other information that is Disability Education or Employment related and you wish to promote it here please e-mail me at thart@med.usyd.edu.au
For information on subscribing, please go to the end of the newsletter.
Calls for Expressions of Interest and Input
Education News:
Alarming divide on the magic pill
June 13, 2006
FOR some children with learning difficulties, behaviour modification medications can make the world of difference, not only for the youngsters themselves, but for their parents, teachers, siblings and friends.
In some cases the destructive cycle of frustration, low self-esteem, lack of achievement and violent rebellion which can be the manifestations of severe learning disability is completely reversed by proper medication.
For the rest of the article go to
http://www.dailytelegraph.news.com.au/story/0,20281,19448259-5001031,00.html
Education funding and the skills crisis
Phil Bradley
It would be no surprise to most that the Howard government is continuing its ideological attack on the public TAFE system, including through the so-called Skilling Australia’s Workforce Act and the May 9 federal budget.
With billions of dollars to give away, most has gone to the relatively well-off, with no serious effort to address the national skills shortage. The four-year forward estimates provide an increase for vocational and other training/education expenses of about 1.5% per annum, much less than the expected inflation rate, never mind rectifying the Coalition’s horrendous funding cuts since 1997.
The latest National Centre for Vocational Education Research statistics reveal that Commonwealth real funding per student hour for vocational education and training (VET) was cut by 24% between 1997 and 2004 — a federal funding shortfall of about $330 million in 2004 alone.
Spending is to be cut further as a percentage of federal expenditure, from 0.75% in 2005-06 to 0.67% in 2009-10. TAFE’s cuts will be much more than the overall cuts due to the government’s privatisation agenda.
For the rest of the article go to
http://www.greenleft.org.au/back/2006/671/671p7.htm
Students blacklist universities
Students voice their anger at cuts to services at a student union protest outside the State Library in August last year.
Photo: Paul Harris
June 12, 2006
As student services are cut, unions call for boycotts. Adam Morton reports.
LONG-TERM RMIT University services are expected to disappear after student union funding was last month cut from $9.5 million to about $4 million.
The university's service and student union officials say their slashed budget - a result of the July 1 federal laws that prevent campuses charging compulsory service fees - will see all commercial operations go, such as a book shop and catering service. About 170 full-time and casual jobs will be lost. Only child care and some sports and arts programs have a guaranteed future.
"The whole operation has to scale down to 30 per cent, so you could roughly say that 30 per cent of the staffing levels we have now is what we will have in the future," services union president Nat Bates says.
For the rest of the article go to
Labor will tie grants to uni degrees
Catherine Armitage, Higher Education editor
June 12, 2006
LABOR wants universities to comply with a new set of minimum standards for degrees as a condition of public funding.
For the rest of the article go to
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,19441565-12332,00.html
ALP U-turn will reward elite unis
Catherine Armitage, Higher education editor
June 10, 2006
LABOR is abandoning the centrepiece of its university funding policy under a radical rethink that will return the party to a system of rewarding high-achieving institutions.
In a shift to the Centre that Opposition Deputy Leader Jenny Macklin said should have occurred years ago, Labor will dismantle the 1980s' "one-size-fits-all" funding model that treated all universities, including converted colleges of advanced education, as equal.
Labor will abandon the system it introduced through the Dawkins reforms of funding all universities on the same basis per student and instead allow institutions to focus on specialised areas and let other areas lapse.
For the rest of the article go to
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,19421562-2702,00.html
Labor goes back to books on uni policy
Stephanie Peatling
June 8, 2006
LABOR is preparing to overhaul its higher education policy, including a shake-up in funding arrangements for universities and a system of minimum-quality standards.
The Opposition's education spokeswoman, Jenny Macklin, said reforms made to universities in the late 1980s had produced a "one size fits all approach" which no longer reflected the "modern reality".
But Ms Macklin again ruled out dropping Labor's opposition to full-fee places, despite agitation by some university heads and a handful of members of Labor's caucus.
For the rest of the article go to
Education reform 'not enough'
June 08, 2006
THE Federal Government may not have gone far enough in pushing for an Australian Certificate of Education and should also look at a national curriculum, an education forum in Sydney heard yesterday.
The forum, sponsored by The Daily Telegraph and the University of Technology Sydney, discussed the proposed Australian Certificate of Education.
Minister for Education, Science and Training Julie Bishop said the proposed ACE would give consistency and comparability of education across the states but University of Technology Sydney associate professor Geoff Riordan said the certificate proposal was not "bold" enough.
For the rest of the article go to
http://dailytelegraph.news.com.au/story/0,20281,19396895-5001022,00.html
Gap grows on funds to schools
By TIM MARTAIN
Education Reporter
08jun06
PRIVATE schools continued to receive more federal funding than public schools, or higher education, in this year's Federal Budget, says the teachers union.
And the funding gap between government and non-government schools is continuing to widen, says Australian Education Union Tasmanian president Jean Walker.
A detailed report into the 2005-06 Budget by the AEU shows public schools received $2.9 billion in funding, compared to $5.4 billion for private schools.
In 2006-07 the figures are $3.2 billion and $5.8 billion respectively.
"This private school funding continues to make a bigger gap between the haves and have-nots, driving a bigger wedge between those who can afford private education and those who can't," Ms Walker said.
For the rest of the article go to
http://www.themercury.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,19400412%255E3462,00.html
Tertiary choices not so clear-cut for students
An uncertain path: MLC year 11 students Steph East, Tessa Dowe and Emma Newman will face a different tertiary landscape in 2008.
Photo: John Donegan
Adam Morton and David Rood
June 7, 2006
EMMA Newman always believed Melbourne University was "the one".
The Methodist Ladies College year 11 student had hoped to win an undergraduate place in a teaching course at the Parkville campus once she finished VCE. Now she is less sure.
Moves to transform Victoria's leading university into an American-style institution — offering general undergraduate degrees followed by professional graduate courses — means the course she wanted will not be available to her when she starts in 2008.
Law, architecture, nursing and education will be available only at graduate level. Other courses are expected to follow.
For the rest of the article go to
Grad school plan backed by minister
Adam Morton
June 6, 2006
A CONTENTIOUS plan to recast Melbourne University as a US-style graduate school has been given the go-ahead by the Federal Government, paving the way for it to cut student numbers by 10,000 over the next decade.
Education Minister Julie Bishop has backed a plan to stop accepting new undergraduates in education, law, nursing and architecture from the end of next year, and reopen the courses as master's degrees in 2008.
It is the first step towards Melbourne University students being offered six general undergraduate degrees — including arts, science and commerce — followed by a range of specialist, professional graduate programs.
According to Melbourne University modelling, the change will result in the number of undergraduate students falling from about 32,000 to about 20,000 by 2016.
Critics, such as Swinburne University vice-chancellor Ian Young, say the scheme, combined with Melbourne's push to increase fees, will shut out the socially disadvantaged and increase inequality. Ms Bishop last week agreed to move funding for Commonwealth-supported places, previously known as HECS, at the university from undergraduate to postgraduate degrees on an unprecedented scale.
For the rest of the article go to
Education clean up
June 06, 2006
THE NSW government will pour money into clearing a backlog of school maintenance work while also trying to reverse the skills shortage by setting up trade schools.
Treasurer Michael Costa today announced the education budget would be increased by $518 million to a record $10.7 billion for 2006/7... Mr Costa said $18 million would be spent setting up ten trade schools, in which Year 12 students will be offered school-based apprenticeships one day a week to tackle the state's acute skills shortage.
For the rest of the article go to
http://dailytelegraph.news.com.au/story/0,20281,19381718-5001022,00.html
Lower school age to boost productivity
Justine Ferrari, Education writer
June 05, 2006
SETTING a lower age for children to start school would boost economic productivity as well as increase the number of students completing Year 12, a report prepared for the nation's education ministers says.
The report will be considered next month at a meeting of federal, state and territory ministers, who will discuss a plan to set a uniform minimum age for starting school at 4 1/2.
For the rest of the article go to
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,19364930-2702,00.html
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,19351101-1702,00.html
Debt to soar for full-fee students
Jewel Topsfield,
May 31, 2006
Full-fee-paying Australian university students will be racking up debts totalling at least half a billion dollars a year by 2008, prompting claims from Labor that the Federal Government is "hell-bent on Americanising Australian education".
Figures provided to Labor by Education Minister Julie Bishop show the estimated debt from Fee-Help, a loan to full-fee-paying domestic students, in 2008-2009 is $503 million. The figure is set to jump to $537 million a year in 2009-2010.
The Opposition claimed student debt would soar even higher following the 2006 budget announcement that the Fee-Help cap would increase from $50,000 to $80,000 for most degrees and up to $100,000 for medicine, dentistry and veterinary science. Fee-Help is repaid through the tax system when a student reaches a certain income level.
For the rest of the article go to
Early invoices sidestep VSU law
Lisa Macnamara and Ron Hicks
May 31, 2006
UNIVERSITIES plan to exploit a loophole in federal reforms banning compulsory union fees by bringing forward charges to students into the present financial year, before the federal laws come into effect.
The universities of NSW and Western Australia, Monash in Victoria, Murdoch in WA and the University of Technology, Sydney have brought forward their invoicing dates for student services in semester two to precede the July cut-off. Continuing students at UNSW will be charged about $250 for services next semester. Monash students must pay up to $230.
"But all students will have access to services. Without collecting the full fees from students who are studying a full year, there would be a $6million loss," a Monash spokeswoman said.
For the rest of the article go to
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,19311207-12332,00.html
Employment News
School's out, but only if you're aged 18
Deborah Gough
June 11, 2006
Some students think they're too cool for formal learning. Should they quit? Deborah Gough reports.
THEY'RE 15, curious and bored. They can't wait to leave school and are not interested in learning anything the curriculum has to offer. Would anything be different if the school-leaving age was raised to 18?
For the rest of the article go to
Welfare News:
The old and the poor left behind in queue
Unemployment is down but more people are on welfare. George Megalogenis explains
June 10, 2006
THERE is a disconnection between Australia's 30-year-low unemployment rate of 4.9 per cent and the 1.75 million voters who remain on the Government's welfare payroll.
These measures of economic and societal health are pointing in opposite directions. Unemployment has been falling, yet the ranks of welfare recipients are rising. Between these two chunks of data lies an interesting story about the Government's priorities and the true nature of deregulated Australia.
John Howard took power in March 1996 with unemployment at 8.2 per cent and 1.69 million receiving either the disability support pension, the dole or the single parenting payment.
Here's the first disconnection. Unemployment has dropped by 3.3 percentage points under the Coalition, with 1.81 million jobs created. But the number of outsiders has increased by 3.6 per cent, or 60,000, to 1.75 million.
How could this happen with lower unemployment? It depends on how you define "unemployed". Every dole recipient who found a job, or has given up the search since March 1996, has been matched by an extra person moving on to the disability support pension or the single parenting payment. The latter two are not tallied as unemployed because they are not technically looking for work. However, they are jobless.
For the rest of the article go to
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,19420805-28737,00.html
Charities unhappy with federal govt plan
June 5, 2006 - 5:44AM
Some of Australia's biggest charities have refused to sign up to a federal government program to manage the extra numbers of unemployed people who will lose all their benefits for eight weeks under new job-search rules.
About 18,000 people a year are expected to lose their benefits under the welfare-to-work rules that start on July 1, up from 3800, the government says.
For the rest of the article go to
Govt to spend $9m on welfare ad blitz
June 1, 2006 - 6:54PM
The federal government will spend $9 million over the next six weeks marketing its controversial welfare-to-work package to the public.
For the rest of the article go to
Internationals News:
Can't read this?
Neither can nearly 90% of blind schoolkids, and proponents say the decline in Braille instruction is leading to illiteracy
John Faherty
The Arizona Republic
Jun. 1, 2006 12:00 AM
Arielle Silverman has always loved to read. From Little Women in fourth grade to Jane Eyre in high school, books were a constant companion.
She could slide her fingers across the page and feel the world. Those words, however, have done more than make her well-read. They have secured her place in society.
Silverman, blind since birth, has now finished her junior year at Arizona State University with a double major, in biology and psychology, and a grade-point average of 3.9.
For the article go to
http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/arizonaliving/articles/0601braille0601.html
Conferences and Workshops:
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
"Creating Our Future: On Campus and Beyond"
11th Biannual NEADS National Conference
November 10-12, 2006
Delta Ottawa Hotel and Suites
Come be part of the 20th anniversary celebration of the National Educational Association of Disabled Students (NEADS)! The 2006 Conference Planning Committee invites expressions of interest by individuals interested in speaking on one of the four workshop panels at our biannual national conference. The theme for this year's conference is Creating Our Future: On Campus and Beyond.
Frank Smith, National Coordinator
National Educational Association of Disabled Students Rm. 426 Unicentre, Carleton University Ottawa, Ontario, K1S 5B6 tel. (613) 526-8008 www.neads.ca http://www.neads.ca/conference2006/en/
National Conferences
Road to Where? ‘The Politics and Practice of Implementing Welfare-to-Work’
Presented by the
17-18 July 2006, The Carlton Crest, Hotel Brisbane Australia
Forum Description
The aim of the two day forum is to critically examine the politics and practice of ‘welfare reform’ and in particular the new welfare-to-work policies that will take effect in Australia from July 1, 2006. The new sets of polices will bring sole parents and people with disabilities into the ‘activation and participation’ policy regime. The implementation of this controversial policy package raises important questions about the individual costs and benefits of welfare-to-work, the impact on organisations implementing the policies and more broadly what these reforms mean for social citizenship and the welfare state in the 21st Century.
Details of the draft program, abstract submission and registration are available on the conference website www.uq.edu.au/swahs/welfaretowork
Registration Enquiries
Telephone: + 61 7 3365 1250
Facsimile: + 61 7 3365 1788
Email: welfaretowork@social.uq.edu.au
Internet: www.uq.edu.au/swahs/welfaretowork
Doing It Better Learning Disabilities Forum
September 24 - 27, 2006
Rydges Hotel, Exhibition St, Melbourne
Unfortunately postponed to next year.
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.
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
“The Right to the Right Health Care” - Evidence, ethics and health in people with developmental disability
An Annual National Health Conference jointly organised by Centre for Developmental Disability Studies Australian and Association of Developmental Disability Medicine
15th-17th November, 2006 SMC Conference Centre (Sydney Masonic Centre)
For further information or to place your name on a mailing list to receive the conference registration brochure, please email tonyharman@med.usyd.edu.au
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/
“Toward 2020: what WE do NOW will make the difference”
…. promises to be a Pathways Conference with a difference!
The program applies to teachers, lecturers, researchers, policy developers, students as well as disability practitioners in any industry. This is THE conference to attend in relation to enhancing successful education and career opportunities for people with disability.
If you choose to submit an abstract, and are selected for the program, your presentation will precede workshops on particular topics and streams, and will provide an important platform for discussion. In addition international and local experts have been confirmed and will give keynote presentations on a range of topics.
For some presentation topic suggestions, guidance on how to submit your abstract, as well as a range of other information about the conference including the excellent keynote speaker program, please see the website at www.leishman-associates.com.au/pathways8
If you have any questions about this event please contact the conference organisers, Leishman Associates, on telephone (03) 6234 7844
PRE CONFERENCE WORKSHOPS
The Pathways8 Organising Committee are also calling for expressions of interest from people who would like to conduct a 2-3 hour Pre-Conference Workshop on a topic relevant to the conference theme. Pre-conference workshops will be conducted at Wrest Point Convention Centre on Tuesday 28 November 2006.
The Constraints to Full Employment Conference - fiscal policy, WorkChoices and job insecurity
December 7-8, 2006
The Centre of Full Employment and Equity (CofFEE) will host the Conference, which incorporates the 8th Path to Full Employment Conference and the 13th National Conference on Unemployment. It will be staged at the University of Newcastle, NSW - Thursday, December 7 and Friday, December 8, 2005.
The Call for Papers is now open. Registrations will be open early June.
Major themes for the Conference will be employment quality, underemployment and marginal workers.
Please note the deadline of September 1 2006 for submission of abstracts to refereed stream and September 29 for submission of abstracts to the non-refereed stream.
For information about the conference and more details about the Call for Papers go to:
http://e1.newcastle.edu.au/coffee/conferences/2006/index.cfm
For information about CofFEE go to:
http://e1.newcastle.edu.au/coffee/index.cfm
Autism Spectrum Disorders
When & Where
Royal Pines Resort - Gold Coast - 14th to 16th March 2007
The website can be found at
http://www.astmanagement.com.au/autism7/Details.htm
VICTORIAN EVENTS
Mental Health – day conference
FRIDAY 14 JULY, 2006
Location: Langham Hotel (Clarendon Ballroom),
Time: Friday 14 July, 2006, 8.30 am registration, 5.00 pm finish.
Cost: $150 (including lunch and activities)
The Mental Health day conference promotes awareness and highlights the importance of early intervention for young people on the brink of serious mental health issues. Speakers and activities at the event will address identification tools, resources and useful networks which help you to recognise warning signs in young people and promote best practice in schools.
Who should attend? Teachers, youth workers, counsellors and professionals working with youth.
For the Registration form and tax invoice go website: www.rmit.edu.au/ssg/dco
Send completed form to:
POST Natalia Klarica DCO
GPO Box 2476
Melbourne, VIC 3001
Contact Tel: 03 9925 3531
Fax: 03 9925 9004
E-mail: natalia.klarica@rmit.edu.au
NSW EVENTS
DEAN Professional Development Day
The next DEAN Professional Development Day is on Tuesday 27 June 2006, UTS, City Campus, Harris Street - Building 6 (Peter Johnson Building), Level 3, Room 20
Topic: Welfare to Work Reforms: What are the Changes and how will they Impact on People with Disabilities in Education, Training and Employment?
The new Federal Welfare to Work reforms will come into effect on 1 July 2006. These changes will have a dramatic effect on income support and employment assistance for many people, including people with disabilities. The changes will also have a ripple effect on people with disabilities accessing education opportunities. As a practitioner, it is important to have an understanding of these changes.
DEAN has organised some excellent speakers who have an in-depth knowledge about the new reforms.
Gerard Thomas, Media and Policy Officer, National Welfare Rights Network (NWRN) and Maryanne Diamond, CEO Australian Federation of Disability Organisations (AFDO), we will also have a representative from Department of Workplace Relations and Centrelink who will be available to answer all your questions.
This is a unique opportunity to gain an understanding of these substantial changes prior to July 1 so come along for the day.
Summary of Program:
9.15 am Registration and networking (tea and coffee available)
10.00 am Gerard Thomas, Media and Policy Officer, National Welfare Rights Network (NWRN) : Broad outline of the Welfare to Work Reforms
11.00 Morning Tea
11.30 am Maryanne Diamond, CEO Australian Federation of Disability Organsiations (AFDO) : Welfare to Work Reforms: How will it Impact on People with Disabilities? What will be the Ripple Effect on Education and Training for People with Disabilities?
12.30 pm Lunch
1.30 pm Maryanne Diamond, Gerard Thomas, DEWR Representative, Centrelink Representative: Panel discussion and issues raised from the floor
3.00 pm Finish
Members: $20 Non-members $30
Further information including RSVP information, refer to the website: http://www.anu.edu.au/disabilities/DEAN/news/deanpdday270606.htm
RSVP Details: Margaret Butler
Fax: 9715 8549
Email: margaret.m.butler@tafensw.edu.au
Telephone: 9715 8610
Please refer to the RSVP details below. Please note that priority will be given to DEAN members due to increased demands and limited places for DEAN Professional Development days. However DEAN members will not receive priority placement after the RSVP date.
RSVP Closing Date: 20 June, 2006
Employment
NSW Council for Intellectual Disability (NSW CID) and Council for Social Services NSW (NCOSS) are hosting “Toward meaningful employment for people with intellectual disability” to better assist them in finding and retaining employment and training programs.
When: Monday 18 September.
Info: Lee-Anne Whitten, NSW Council for Intellectual Disability, on phone 9211 1611, email lee-anne@nswcid.org.au, or fax 9211 2606.
Source: Warringah Disability Newsletter
New Resources:
National Disability Web Portal
This has links to information and services on 700+ Australian Government websites as well as selected state and territory resources, like: Centrelink; Carelink Centres and Directory; CRS Australia; FaCSIA including Business Services; Disability Open Employment Services; Disability Rights; HealthInsite; JobAble; Information for individuals and communities; and National Auslan Booking and Payment Service.
http://www.australia.gov.au/367
Source: “Warringah Disability Newsletter
Assistance for those who can't afford a computer
TAD (Technical Aid to the Disabled) in several states have low cost loan schemes.
See http://www.technicalaidnsw.org.au/service/cmpLoan.html
Green Peripherals and Components, otherwise known as GreenPC
The only qualification for an individual or family to have access to a Green PC computer is that they are holders of a current Health Care Card or are able to verify their low income status in some other way.
https://greenpc.infoxchange.net.au/shopcart/browse.chtml or http://www.greenpc.com.au/about.shtml or telephone
(08) 9434 0530 (Western Australia)
(07) 3255 8300 (Queensland)
(03) 9486 9344 (Victoria)
(02) 6251 5617 (ACT)
A profile of TAFE institutes
This report presents a profile of technical and further education (TAFE) institutes for the 2003 calendar year. The project was undertaken to
illustrate the extent of variation in the sector. The report also provides data on TAFE institutes that can be used by the institutes for planning, performance monitoring and marketing purposes.
http://www.ncver.edu.au/publications/1672.html
Training and skills in the electrical and communications industry
This study, undertaken for the National Electrical and Communications Association, profiles the electrotechnology workforce and focuses especially on how the industry is adapting to the rapidly changing environment. Through analysis of data and interviews, the study found that the electrotechnology industry has adapted well to its customers' demands to integrate the electrical and communication skills into a narrow range of occupations. Skills shortages remain in the industry but tend to be region or occupation specific.
http://www.ncver.edu.au/publications/1678.html
Preliminary data show rise in training activity
Preliminary data from the annual collection of student enrolments relating to the public vocational education and training system show that more than 1.64 million students undertook publicly funded training in 2005, an increase of 2.9% or 46 000 students compared with 2004. Student numbers increased in all states and territories, except Victoria which showed a decrease of 4.5%. The largest increases occurred in New South Wales (8.6%) and the Northern Territory (8.2%). Comparing 2005 with 2004, total subject enrolments increased by 2.9% and total hours of delivery increased by 3.9%. NCVER will release the final data and more detail about the annual VET statistics on 3 July 2006.
http://www.ncver.edu.au/publications/1693.html
An article that may be interesting to some on the Workplace Modifications Scheme can be found at
http://www.workplace.gov.au/workplace/Category/Publications/Employment/EmploymentExtra/
The Government has launched new Welfare to Work web site "moving into work".
To view the website, go to: www.movingintowork.gov.au
'Helping people move into work' - A Community Information Pack:
Information on Centrelink website
This community information pack has been developed to help Centrelink staff explain the changes that will happen with the 1 July 2006 implementation of Welfare to Work. The pack includes information on who is affected, copies of the letters sent to customers as part of the targeted mailout and additional information about the new compliance system and changes to the income tests.
The pack can be found at http://www.centrelink.gov.au/internet/internet.nsf/publications/lw028.htm
Career Advice Australia
The new Career Advice
More information available at:
New Apprenticeships Job Pathways Website
A new website has been launched to help people needing New Apprenticeships job and training information. From staff in New Apprenticeships Centres to employers, job candidates, students, parents and careers advisors in schools, all are able to quickly find potential New Apprenticeships job outcomes that include a sample of the training that could apply to the occupation.
The New Apprenticeships Job Pathways website (http://www.najobpathways.com.au/) is a DEST funded resource that has been developed from the popular New Apprenticeships Training Information Service website. Feedback from a variety of Vocational and Technical Education stakeholders has been part of this development.
Disability Initiatives information can be found at
For more information go to www.najobpathways.com.au, www.natinfo.com.au, or call the New Apprenticeships Training Information Service on 1800 338 022.
Welfare to Work package - basic training material, from the National Welfare Rights Network
The introduction of Welfare to Work from 1 July 2006 will see major changes to the social security system. The information is designed to give an overview of the most substantial of these changes. The website will be updated as additional information becomes available.
http://www.welfarerights.org.au/wrtraining/introduction.htm
There are fact sheets on-
· Changes to Disability Support Pension
http://www.welfarerights.org.au/wrtraining/changes%20to%20disability%20support%20pension.htm
· Newstart Allowance
http://www.welfarerights.org.au/wrtraining/Newstart.htm
· The new compliance regime – moving from breaches to suspension of payment
http://www.welfarerights.org.au/wrtraining/the%20new%20compliance.htm
· What happens if I am receiving a payment now?
Creating Accessible Teaching and Support (CATS) an online resource for teaching and supporting university students with disabilities.
The CATS resource http://www.adcet.edu.au/cats has established a framework for good practice that provides information and resources to assist universities to create equitable access for students with disabilities and to comply with the Disability Discrimination Act and the Disability Standards for Education. The project that developed this resource and a series of accompanying booklets has been funded by the Carrick Institute for Learning and Teaching.
RDLO-DCO Resources http://www.adcet.edu.au/rdco
School to Post-School Transition Resources
http://www.adcet.edu.au/rdco/ViewFAQDetail.aspx?itemID=567 (Opens up a Word document with hyperlinks to resources).
Features information about a range of transition related resources currently in use in Australia. The majority of the resources listed here have been developed or are used by members of the national network of Regional Disability Liaison Officers and Disability Coordination Officers throughout
Transition: Supporting Students into Post-Secondary Education
http://www.adcet.edu.au/rdco/ViewFAQDetail.aspx?itemID=62
Students with disabilities in transition require everything that other students in transition need including.......
Learning Experiences of Students with a Learning Disability
http://www.adcet.edu.au/Uploads/Documents/disability-project-report.pdf [pdf: 295 kilobytes, opens in new window]
This study aims to increase awareness and understanding of the needs of The University of Nottingham students who have a disability. The project is a qualitative investigation using in-depth interviews, work 'shadowing', and video recordings of a 'day in the life of' a number of selected students. Interview and video data will be used (with student consent) to develop high quality, training materials for a variety of contexts.
‘Academic Accommodations for Students with a Psychiatric Disability’
Students with psychiatric disabilities are entitled to reasonable academic accommodations under the Disability Discrimination Act (1992) and Disability Standards for Education 2005. Providing effective accommodations allows students equal access to academic courses and activities. Their presence also contributes to the diversity of the student population. This resource is concerned with the impact of mental illness on academic pursuits, and the development of strategies to study successfully.
‘The Road Ahead… A
The workbook was produced for people with a disability (which includes a chronic medical condition) who are considering their post-secondary education and training, for example, secondary school students, VTE (Vocational and Technical Education) students, potential New Apprentices and people looking to change their career direction. We hope it will be used by secondary school students in Year 11 or earlier. Teachers and trainers facilitating group work on career planning with people with a disability could also use it. This project was a joint Initiative and can be accessed on the following websites.
http://www.disabilitycentral.com.au
http://www.cdu.edu.au/rdlo/The-Road-Ahead.pdf The Road Ahead: a NT Self-Help Planning Guide [pdf 6.18 mb]
Reports:
Informing post-school pathways: Investigating school students' authentic work experiences
The way school students understand work through their paid part-time work and participation in school-based apprenticeships has the potential to inform career decision making and further education pathways. Through classroom-based interventions this project sought to assist student's and teacher' understandings of 'authentic' work experiences. The role of the school and teachers in preparing students for vocational outcomes raises many issues, including the support and skills required to facilitate discussion and activities on the realities of the working world. Reflection upon work experiences, when directed effectively by teachers, enables students to critically appraise the world of work beyond school and post school pathways.
http://www.ncver.edu.au/publications/1681.html
A profile of TAFE institutes
This report presents a profile of technical and further education (TAFE) institutes for the 2003 calendar year. The project was undertaken to
illustrate the extent of variation in the sector. The report also provides data on TAFE institutes that can be used by the institutes for planning, performance monitoring and marketing purposes.
http://www.ncver.edu.au/publications/1672.html
Preliminary data show rise in training activity
Preliminary data from the annual collection of student enrolments relating to the public vocational education and training system show that more than 1.64 million students undertook publicly funded training in 2005, an increase of 2.9% or 46 000 students compared with 2004. Student numbers increased in all states and territories, except Victoria which showed a decrease of 4.5%. The largest increases occurred in New South Wales (8.6%) and the Northern Territory (8.2%). Comparing 2005 with 2004, total subject enrolments increased by 2.9% and total hours of delivery increased by 3.9%. NCVER will release the final data and more detail about the annual VET statistics on 3 July 2006.
http://www.ncver.edu.au/publications/1693.html
Calls for Expressions of Interest and Input:
Client and Student Voice Action Group
The Client and Student Voice Action Group is progressing the development of recommendations for Ministers on national client and student advisory arrangements. The advisory arrangements will provide ongoing high level advice on the needs of all learners, particularly disadvantaged learners. The Action Group is also currently considering national priorities, strategies and performance measures to improve outcomes for Indigenous Australians and people with a disability.
In April 2006, the Action Group completed a formal stakeholder consultation process on future advisory arrangements. The Action Group received over forty written submissions in response to public consultation papers; and held consultation forums in
Profiling people with a disability in employment
TAFE NSW Disability Programs are developing a resource of several DVDs to showcase the full range of opportunities for people with disabilities across the workplace.
This resource will have three aims:
It is proposed that there will be one DVD for each of the following six areas of disability: Hearing, Intellectual, Learning/Neurological, Physical, Psychiatric and Vision.
TAFE Disability Programs need assistance in finding a large number of people with disabilities willing to be take part in this project. They are collecting expressions of interest from around the country.
Stop Press
The project is still short of people with a neurological disability, especially ABI.
To request an information/nomination form please email toby.prentice@tafensw.edu.au or phone Toby on 9244 5098 or Mark Kelly on 9244 5101.
Please note that nominating for the project does not guarantee involvement.
http://www.cdds.med.usyd.edu.au/dco/Scholarships.htm
Freedom Scientific/Quantum Technology 2007 WYNN Scholarship
Freedom Scientific and Quantum Technology have pledged to make life a little easier for eight lucky students who are planning to make the move into tertiary study in 2007!!!
Quantum Technology are excited to announce the inaugural WYNN (What you Need Now) Scholarship, which is intended to assist students who have been assessed as having a learning disability.
If you are an Australian or
To enter just tell us in 500 words or less how the WYNN program will assist you with your studies. Applications must include a name for reference of an educator or person involved in Learning Disability, and demonstrate an understanding of how WYNN can help improve educational outcomes.
Applications must be made in writing by email to info@quantumtechnology.com.au or via mail to Quantum Technology PO Box 390, Rydalmere NSW 2116 Australia, and be received by Friday 11 August 2006.
The eight lucky winners will be announced at the "Doing it Better" - Learning Disabilities in Education and Employment Forum” which will be held in
To assist with your application you may request a WYNN demo CD to evaluate. For further enquiries please call or e-mail Quantum Technology:
Contact: Bronwyn Davies
Head Office (02) 8844 9888
International + 61 2 8844 9888
Freedom Scientific and Quantum Technology has pledged to make life a little easier for eight lucky students who will make the move into tertiary study in 2007!!!
A total of eight scholarships for a free copy of JAWS Professional screen reading program are up for grabs.
Applications for this year's scholarship are now open, so it's time to get behind this worthy initiative.
If you an Australian or New Zealand citizen who is blind or vision impaired and are planning on entering tertiary studies in 2007 you are eligible to apply.
To enter please, tell us in 500 words or less why you need a Freedom Scholarship and how it will assist you in your tertiary studies. Applications must be made in writing by email to info@quantumtechnology.com.au or via mail to Quantum Technology PO Box 390, Rydalmere NSW 2116 Australia.
Applications must be received by Friday 29 September 2006, and winners will be notified by e-mail and announced in LiveWire. Good Luck!
For further enquiries please call or e-mail your local Quantum Technology office:
Head Office (02) 8844 9888
lkumutat@quantumtechnology.com.au
Southern Office (03) 9545 4100
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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 Southern Sydney or The Centre for Developmental Disability Studies or The Australian Government Department of Education, Science and Training.
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/
The Regional Disability Liaison Officer and Disability Coordination Officer programmes are funded by the Commonwealth Department of Education, Science and Training
No 10, Vol 2
Compiled by Timothy Hart the 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