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Disability Education and Employment News: Vol 2 No 2 - Friday, 2nd February 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 Disability Education and Employment News there is information on the NSW Crossroads: ‘Information Seminar for Deaf and Hearing Impaired Students’, Advance notice of a Disability Law Seminar in Coffs Harbour NSW, in the new ‘Calls for Expressions of Interest and Input’ section, there is a Request for Input from Mature Age Students with a Disability plus other News articles, Conferences and Workshops information, Resources and other information for the disability education and employment sectors.
For information on contributing or advertising a new resource or a service in the Disability Education and Employment News or subscribing, please go to the end of the newsletter.
Calls for Expressions of Interest and Input
Education News:
Uni debt up $30,000 in 10 years
February 2, 2006
STUDENTS starting university degrees face a debt up to $30,000 more than people who began studying 10 years ago.
Each year students could be incurring as much as $5000 more in deferred fees, according to departmental figures compiled by the Opposition.
Labor said a succession of rises in the Higher Education Contribution Scheme meant students who began a medical degree this year would rack up debts more than $30,000 greater than people who began the same course in 1996.
For the rest of the article go to
http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/uni-debt-up-30000-in-10-years/2006/02/01/1138590568538.html
STUDENT FINANCES
School economics 101
By Peter Vincent
January 24, 2006
In our guide for those starting university, Peter Vincent explains how to graduate without breaking the bank.
Surviving financially as a tertiary student can be a challenge as tough as getting good marks. By far the biggest costs are course fees. They vary depending on what degree you are doing, and where. In round figures an arts student at university can expect to pay $4900 a year, business, maths and science students $7000 and law, medicine and vet students $8200.
For the rest of the article go to
Labor plans to scrap some TAFE fees
January 30, 2006 - 12:14PM
Labor plans to tackle the national skills crisis by abolishing TAFE fees for traditional apprenticeships.
Opposition Leader Kim Beazley said the ALP's new higher education policy aimed to attract tradespeople into the workforce.
"This country is going to go to hell in a hand basket if the government does not start to invest in the Australian people," Mr Beazley told reporters in
"We are experiencing the consequences of a massive short fall in Australian labour."
Mr Beazley said the Howard government had failed to entice people into the trades since its 1996 election win, leaving
For the rest of the article go to
ALP plans TAFE fees overhaul
http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2006/s1558353.htm
Beazley promises free TAFE in new policy push
By Stephanie Peatling
January 30, 2006
Millions of dollars in TAFE fees would in effect be scrapped for tens of thousands of apprentices if Labor wins federal office, as it vows to tackle the skills crisis.
It would pay $800 a year into special bank accounts for apprentices to cover their TAFE fees and other expenses such as books and equipment.
The skills policy, obtained by the Herald, will be announced by Kim Beazley in
For the rest of the article go to
Bishop to continue reform agenda
Dorothy Illing and Brendan O'Keefe
January 25, 2006
LAWYER and West Australian MP Julie Bishop will step into the Education, Science and Training portfolio after a cabinet reshuffle yesterday elevated Brendan Nelson to the senior role of Defence Minister.
After four years of higher education reform, Dr Nelson will hand the baton to Ms Bishop, formerly aged care minister. She said she was thrilled to take charge of education, which had long been a passion of hers. "I believe education is a life-long process: it starts with our children at an early age and it ought be a life-long commitment," she said.
Ms Bishop will have carriage of a radical range of reforms introduced by Dr Nelson, some of which are yet to be implemented. She paid tribute to his "reformist zeal".
For the rest of the article go
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,17927729%255E12332,00.html
Hard-hit unis alter cut-offs to fill classes
By Hannah Edwards
January 22, 2006
UNIVERSITIES keen to fill course quotas are being forced to offer places to students who scored a much lower rank than the published entry requirements.
One student who scored a Universities Admission Index (UAI) rank of 69.1 told education website http://www.boredofstudies.org he was offered a place in the
For the rest of the article go to
Money offers more degrees of university admission
Kelly Burke and Justin Norrie
January 19, 2006
FEWER hopefuls will miss out on a place at a university in NSW this year. Decreased demand and more places in some courses have yielded a higher success rate among applicants.
For the rest of the article go
Demand for uni dropping
Dorothy Illing
January 19, 2006
ALMOST 800 university courses in NSW and the ACT still have vacancies after the main round of offers was released last night in another sign of falling student demand.
About 480 of those courses were for government-funded students, up from 385 at the same time last year.
With only a 1 per cent drop in applications this year, NSW has not suffered the fall of some other states where applications are down by as much as 8per cent on last year.
But the softer demand has still pushed entrance scores to as low as 60 on some metropolitan campuses and 50 at one regional campus on the NSW border.
Most universities have resisted taking their minimum cut-offs below 70 in NSW.
For the rest of the article go
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,17866403%255E12332,00.html
http://www.abc.net.au/news/items/200601/1550997.htm?act
Unis struggle as students opt out
Dorothy Illing
January 18, 2006
DEBATE about academic standards has reignited as a second year of softening student demand pushes cut-off scores to new lows at some universities.
A number of universities have taken their entrance scores to the low 50s, a level Education Minister Brendan Nelson signalled last year would compromise standards.
This year many universities with regional campuses are facing the dilemma of whether to lower cut-offs to fill their government quotas or face the prospect of having to hand back commonwealth-funded places.
For the rest of the article go
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,17854956%255E12332,00.html
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,17851994%255E12332,00.html
http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/university-funding-faces-cuts/2006/01/17/1137466991585.html
3000 miss out on uni offers
From: AAP
January 18, 2006
MORE than 3000 West Australians missed out on university places in the first round of offers.
More than 15,500 offers were made for spots at the state's four public universities, the Tertiary Institutions Service Centre (TISC) said today.
But 3000 of the 18,775 people who applied did not get an offer, partly because Prime Minister John Howard's government did not fund enough places, acting federal Opposition Leader Jenny Macklin said.
"We know there are students who have got the marks but they won't get a university place because the Howard government did not create enough places," Ms Macklin said.
"Labor's view is if you get the marks, you should be able to go to university.
"
For the rest of the article go
http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,17861113-29277,00.html
17,000 to miss university place
Milanda Rout, education reporter
16jan06
ALMOST 17,000 Victorian students will miss out on a first-round university place.
The anxious wait for thousands of hopefuls will end at 7.30pm today when the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre releases university and TAFE offers.
Almost 55,000 students tried for government-funded HECS places, a drop of 2.5 per cent.
Tertiary applications also fell, down 3295 from the previous year to 78,664.
For the rest of the article go
http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5478,17831687%255E2862,00.html
Employment News:
Less money for jobs training
Samantha Maiden
January 31, 2006
TAXPAYER-FUNDING of vocational education is declining, despite a skills shortage that Kim Beazley claims is driving up the cost of the family home.
New figures have confirmed federal, state and territory government spending on vocational training was less than $4billion last year, a decline of 3 per cent.
The biggest decline was in NSW and
However,
For the rest of the article go to
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,17990574%255E2702,00.html
Apprenticeships guarantee jobs: ALP
January 31, 2006
YOUNG Australians enticed into apprenticeships under a Labor plan will be guaranteed jobs upon completing their courses because they will fill a severe skills shortage, Opposition Leader Kim Beazley says.
Labor yesterday unveiled a $170 million-a-year proposal to encourage school leavers into apprenticeships to become carpenters, welders, plumbers, motor mechanics and electricians.
For the rest of the article go to
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,17993024%255E1702,00.html
Work loses its point for low-skilled
By John Garnaut
January 30, 2006
THE new workplace laws will soon make work pointless for many low-skilled people with children - because they will be paid more on welfare - a market economist warns.
The new system is likely to slow the growth of minimum wages while holding sole parent pension rises at almost 5per cent a year - meaning after-tax wages could soon fall behind welfare benefits forgone for those who choose to work.
"It would not be long before the benefits from not working, which are indexed to either prices or average earnings, will exceed the benefits from working," says Professor Mark Wooden, deputy director of the Melbourne Institute, in the Journal of Political Economy.
A diminishing gap between the minimum wage and welfare will especially hurt job prospects for sole parents, who have low wage prospects because they are low-skilled, receive the highest welfare payments and are unable to work full time because of child care responsibilities.
For the rest of the article go to
http://smh.com.au/news/national/work-loses-its-point-for-lowskilled/2006/01/29/1138469608056.html
Schools hold answer to skills shortfall: MP
25jan06
BIG business should recruit children in primary schools to become apprentices, Vocational and Technical Education Minister Gary Hardgrave said yesterday.
Mr Hardgrave said young people, even at primary school, needed to be encouraged to take up trades as part of
"I'm not talking about primary school-based apprentices, but engaging kids at an earlier age, giving them some attraction to your trade or profession so they'll seek you out, and they'll want to be a plumber or a mechanic," he said.
For the rest of the article go to
http://www.thecouriermail.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,17929781%255E3102,00.html
The working model to fight depression
January 19, 2006
THE announcement this week by West Australian Premier Geoff Gallop that he has developed a depressive illness and decided to retire has significant implications for the relationship between mental illness and work — not only for politicians but for anyone in a position of responsibility and, indeed, the workforce in general.
For the rest of the article go to
Bullying rife in public service
By Farrah Tomazin
January 16, 2006
BULLYING and harassment are prevalent throughout
The Government's own research, based on a survey of 14,000 public sector workers, found that more than one in five had been bullied or harassed by colleagues or managers in the past year. A further 40 per cent had witnessed others being abused.
Most respondents reported that the bullying took the form of psychological harassment and/or verbal abuse.
For the rest of the article go to
http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/bullying-rife-in-public-service/2006/01/15/1137259945005.html
Agencies put more jobless into work
Patricia Karvelas
January 16, 2006
WORK has been found for almost 250,000 more jobless over the past five years but the number of people voluntarily leaving a job is on the increase in
A study by the Department of Employment showed that over the past five years, when job agencies were put on more demanding contracts and many smaller ones disappeared, the number of unemployed put into jobs increased by 57 per cent.
"In simple terms, these figures clearly show that the Job Network has been finding jobs for more and more Australians over the last five years," Minister for Workforce Participation Peter Dutton said yesterday.
The figures show that in 2000 the Job Network found jobs for 417,600 people. By last year, this had risen to 657,200, an increase of 57 per cent over five years.
The figures also reveal that the number of long-term jobs found for disadvantaged job seekers increased from 47,200 in 2000 to 188,600 last year. "This was a very significant increase of almost 300 per cent," he said.
For the rest of the article go to
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,17833813%5E2702,00.html
Welfare News:
Welfare to Work legislation is now a Commonwealth Act is now available in it is complete form at http://www.comlaw.gov.au/ComLaw/Legislation/Act1.nsf/0/1E82138F7F5CDBABCA2570DB0082AF88/$file/154-2005.pdf
Business says old, poor must pay more
By Matt Wade Economics Writer
January 31, 2006
FAMILIES with children, the old and the poor are among those who should pay more to fix the state's budget woes and revive its economy, a business group says.
For the rest of the article go to
How lowering tax can make us all poorer
January 31, 2006
'The figures show high taxes go hand in hand with high socio-economic equality.'
A fair tax regime is the reasonable price for decent social services, writes Tim Colebatch.
Taxes are bad, they say. High taxes weaken us by imposing dead-weight costs on business, discouraging risk-taking and hard work, and handing over resources for wasteful government spending. Tax is at best a necessary evil.
For the rest of the article go to
Mike Steketee: Prejudicial experience
Have your say, email The Forum theforum@theaustralian.com.au
January 14, 2006
THE Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission has been a body under siege for most of the 10 years of the Howard Government, but that won't stop Graeme Innes.
Nothing much deters the newly appointed Human Rights Commissioner, part of the commission. Totally blind from birth, he sails - and that includes skippering the boat "by the feel of the helm and the feel of the wind", relying only on someone else to tell him how not to run into objects. In the world blind championships a few years ago, he was part of the crew (two blind, two not) in the West Australian boat that won a silver medal.
For the rest of the article go to
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,17814203%255E7583,00.html
The growing cost of living poorly
For this article go to
http://www.onlineopinion.com.au/view.asp?article=4029
Paul Collier:
13jan06
Our bodies and our homes are owned by those who regulate our lives and keep us apart from the wider community; special schools, housing, access, toilets, parking, hotel rooms and, of course, special taxis. But why are the needs and aspirations of people with disabilities treated as no more than an afterthought?
Qantas's decision to ban passengers with disabilities if they use an electric wheelchair is a sad indictment of society's attitudes.
For the rest of the article go to
http://www.theadvertiser.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,17804641%5E5000423,00.html
Back to Top
International News:
College improves special needs education
By Seiji Umezawa Yomiuri Shimbun Staff Writer
This is an excerpt from an installment of The Yomiuri Shimbun's Educational Renaissance series. This part of the series, continued from last week, focuses on special needs education.
This scene, from a DVD created by the university, segues into a warning about using the blackboard in an unsuitable way for students with weak eyesight.
The university has distributed the DVD to all its instructors to provide them with guidance on what they should and should not do when teaching courses with special-needs students to ensure that their classes have the same value for all students. The "actors" appearing in the DVD are all disabled students and instructors from the university.
For the rest of the article go to
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/features/language/20060131TDY16001.htm
Teachers trained to be aware of special needs
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/features/language/20060124TDY16001.htm
April 11, 2006
Providing Employment Supports for Individuals with Psychiatric Disabilities (Webcast) 2:00-2:45 p.m. (EST-USA)
The President’s New Freedom Commission on Mental Health endorses evidence-based supported employment as a way to assist people with serious mental illness lead productive work lives. This Webcast from Worksupport.com will focus on individualized job supports and ways to develop the employer relationship. Registration is required and a registration fee does apply.
http://www.worksupport.com/training/webcastDetails.cfm/52
The Realities of Hiring People with Disabilities (Web Page -
This document from Worksupport.com aims to dispel some common myths about employees with disabilities, describes some problems posed by individuals with disabilities’ presence in the workplace and their solutions, and gives helpful hints for integrating employees with disabilities into the workplace.
http://www.worksupport.com/research/viewContent.cfm/589
For the rest of the article go to
Conferences and Workshops:
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!
Learn more about Pac Rim 2006 go to http://www.pacrim.hawaii.edu/
Summer will arrive before we know it... and this year, it brings the national APSE conference, "Employment for All-- Start a Revolution," to
The conference will emphasize nine themes: best practices; job development; transition from school to employment; public and economic policy trends; program management; placement support; family and consumer issues; and research to practice. Audiences include service providers, people with disabilities, educators, and employers.
Conference Call for Presentations
http://www.apse2006.org/index.php?page=cfp
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
ACROD NSW ANNUAL CONFERENCE - EMPOWERMENT, PLANNING, ACTION!
In 2006, we transform learnings from our previous conferences on Empowerment and Planning into ACTION! The ACROD NSW 2006 annual conference is the final chapter in a trilogy of specialist disability sector two-day events.
20 & 21 February 2006
Manly Pacific
55 North Steyne Manly
We will present a range of speakers over three streams involving service delivery and policy development action initiatives for both State and Australian Government funded disability organisations.
For more information go to http://www.acrodnsw.net/Resources/ACROD%20Seminars.html#Anchor-52235
Enquiries to Gabrielle Jones, Planning Coordinator gabe@acrodnsw.net or on 61 2 9503 1603
The 2006 National Conference of the
Saturday to Tuesday, 20-23 May 2006.
Pacific International, Brisbane.
Sue Oriander, 2006
The conference theme being ‘Realizing the Vision for Accessible Information: The Way Forward’. Topics include Unified English Braille in
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
“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 (
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/
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
Advance notice: Disability Law Seminar
Where: Coffs Harbour NSW
When: Monday 20th March 2006
The Seminar will cover the DDA, Anti-Discrimination Law, and the impact of IR legislation on people with a disability.
More details to follow in early February.
Contact person: Gwen Johnson e-mail gwen.johnson@une.edu.au
New Resources:
Parents Help With Careers—future directions
How parents can help their children with career choices can be found at:
http://www.dest.gov.au/NR/rdonlyres/63B60C0F-ED1D-41EF-A983-A81C51E07FC1/670/ParentsHelp.pdf
Also TAFE Qld have developed a booklet, Anything’s Possible that targets parents as career counsellors
It can be found at http://www.tafe.qld.gov.au/resources/pdf/Parents_brochure.pdf
Or visit the Qld TAFE website www.tafe.qld.gov.au and search for Anything's Possible.
Independent Living Institute - Resources for Study and Work Abroad for All.
People with disabilities are under-represented among youth who study, train, work or volunteer in their countries or abroad. With support from the Swedish government the Independent Living Institute has compiled a list of currently over 1,000 universities offering services to students with disabilities and 250 disability organizations that can be contacted for information about local conditions in university towns such as the availability of accessible housing, transportation, sign language or personal assistance services.
The list can be found at http://www.independentliving.org/studyworkabroad/
Self-assessment Tool for Inclusion for Corporations, Public Agencies and Non-governmental Organizations
Self-assessment Tool for Inclusion for Universities http://www.independentliving.org/studyworkabroad/disability-information-checklist/index.php
DisAbility in Education Conference
Notetaker notes from the Conference and National Gathering are now available on the website. Find these on http://www.disability.auckland.ac.nz, then select DisAbility in Education Conference 2005; the bling flashing box on the left hand side of the screen. Photographs taken at both the Conference and the Bling Bling Conference Dinner will also appear there shortly.
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
Calls for Expressions of Interest and Input:
AUSLAN & Workplace Modifications Scheme
RESEARCH PROJECT TO EXAMINE SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETING IN THE WORKPLACE
The Australian Federation of Deaf Societies has commenced a research project that will explore the use of Australian Sign Language (Auslan) interpreter services in the workplace. Auslan is the national sign language of the deaf community in
The research is funded by the Australian Government through the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations.
The project recognises that for the employers of deaf and hearing impaired people, the use of interpreters on occasions is a necessary expense to ensure their staff are fully able to participate in key workplace events.
This national project will be conducted by AFDS and will run from January to the start of May 2006.
During this period, eligible employers will be reimbursed for the costs associated with using an Auslan interpreter in their workplace under the Australian Government’s Workplace Modifications Scheme. The Workplace Modifications Scheme provides assistance to employers for a range of workplace adjustments to meet the needs of staff with disabilities.
Information about how to participate in the research project is being sent today to all Department of Employment and Workplace Relations funded employment agencies nationally.
‘We welcome applications from deaf workers, their employer or their employment agency. We are looking for 50 deaf workers who have recently started work or are just about to start work, and 10 deaf workers who have been in their current job for a longer period. We would also like to make sure we get a good mix of occupations and regions to make sure the feedback we get is representative’ Ms Tremellen said.
Applications should be submitted by 24 February 2006.
Contact: For further information or to participate in the research project contact Zarina Tremellen, AFDS Project Officer by telephone on 03 9539 5309, by TTY on 03 9510 7143 or email ztremellen@deafchildren.org.au .
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.
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.
New National Client and Student Advisory Arrangements – have your say
The Australian, State and Territory governments are committed to engaging and considering the views of all clients and students, particularly disadvantaged clients, in training planning and delivery. To this end, the Client and Student Voice Action Group is leading the development of national client advisory arrangements for the new national training system.
Last week, the Client and Student Voice Action Group released three consultation papers seeking stakeholders views on the best mechanisms to support ongoing high level advice on the needs of:
• all clients and students;
• people with a disability; and
• Indigenous Australians.
Feedback on the possible role, scope of activity and operation of advisory arrangements is sought from all stakeholders - including students, parents, carers, Elders, advocacy and community groups, training organisations, teachers, employers, government agencies, industry and researchers.
Written submissions are due by close of business on 17 February 2006.
In late February and early March, targeted stakeholders will be invited to participate in consultation forums to further discuss, develop and refine ideas proposed in submissions. It is anticipated that a total of five forums will be held in
To maintain the momentum in improving training and employment outcomes, the Action Group is working quickly and collaboratively to put new national advisory arrangements in place by June 2006.
To download the consultation papers, visit http://www.dest.gov.au/sectors/training_skills/policy_issues_reviews/key_issues/nts/action/csvag.htm
Request for Input from Mature Age Students with a Disability
Liz Horrock from the University of South Australia and Leonie Challans the Regional Disability Liaison Officer for Adelaide are putting together a resource that encourages and informs mature aged students with a disability/medical condition of the benefits of studying at university or TAFE. The resource will also support employers, agencies and people with a disability in their mid-years to train or re-train in the higher education or vocational education and training sector with a focus on moving into employment. With the advent of the Welfare to Work program they want this resource to particularly encourage and support people with a disability in their mid-years (40-55+).
They would like to hear from any mature age students (approximately in the 40-55+ but not necessarily restricted to that bracket regarding
What was helpful in your move to study as a mature age student - any publications/group/resources/counselling/resource?
What were the barriers? - funds, housing, scholarships, child care, lack of information about actual study, access to special entry avenues and the like
What would have been very useful but wasn't available?
What information did your employment or other service provider have to assist you?
What did they need but couldn't find?
Anything else that was helpful in deciding to move into further study and then into employment?
Anything that has been a barrier?
Any and all information is welcome
Would you please respond to Leonie Challans leonie.challans@unisa.edu.au or on (08) 8302 1756
Spotlight on Useful Resources:
The Australian Disability Clearinghouse on Education and Training (ADCET) is a web based information resource that provides up to date, accurate and comprehensive information about inclusive teaching, learning and assessment strategies, accommodations and support services for people with disabilities.
ADCET aims to encourage equitable, inclusive access to post secondary education and training for people with disabilities through the following strategies:
gather, evaluate, and disseminate research and other information for disability practitioners and students with disabilities, relating to inclusive teaching, assessment and learning strategies, support services and related areas including changes to legislation, policies and practice
facilitate and promote professional development, information sharing and research, amongst disability practitioners, teachers and other professionals.
The initial development of ADCET was funded by DEST but in the absence of ongoing Government funding subscriptions have been introduced to provide sufficient ongoing funding to enable ADCET to continue providing high quality services
Subscribers receive an informative monthly newsletter including the latest resources and news items and have the opportunity to 'Ask ADCET' for information they cannot find elsewhere.
All subscriptions cover the calendar year:
· Individual - $99 (including GST)
· Group (up to 8 users) - $275 (including GST)
· Organisation (unlimited users) - $990 (including GST)
· Partnerships and concession rates - negotiated individually
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.
The Report and Recommendations of the National Inquiry into the Teaching of Literacy
On 30 November 2005 the Minister for Education, Science and Training, the Hon Dr Brendan Nelson MP, announced details about the Australian Government National Inquiry into the Teaching of Literacy. The Inquiry was a broad, independent examination of reading research, teacher preparation and practices for the teaching of literacy, particularly reading.
www.dest.gov.au/nitl/report.htm
http://www.cdds.med.usyd.edu.au/dco/Scholarships.htm
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
Please distribute this to those that you think would be interested in the Disability Education and Employment Newsletter.
If you have a Resource, a Scholarship, Workshop, Conference, or any other information that is Disability Education or Employment related and you wish to promote it here please e-mail me at
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If you wish to have the Disability Education and Employment News e-mail to you please e-mail me at
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/
The Regional Disability Liaison Officer and Disability Coordination Officer programmes are funded by the Commonwealth Department of Education, Science and Training
No 1 Vol 2
Compiled by Timothy Hart the DCO for Northern, Central and
To return to the DCO Disability Newsletter Archive Page go to http://www.cdds.med.usyd.edu.au/dco/newsletter or click here