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Disability Education and Employment News: Vol 2 No 3 - Wednesday, 8th March 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 bumper Disability Education and Employment News there is information on the "Doing it Better" - Learning Disabilities in Education and Employment Forum to be held in Melbourne in September, DEAN is holding a Professional Development Day on “Aspergers/Autistic Spectrum Disorders & Emerging Trends and Issues in Disability”, the New England DCO is holding a forum on “Disability Discrimination Law in Education, Training and Employment: Rights and Responsibilities” and the SETTING DIRECTIONS SEMINAR 2006 on University education options for people with disabilities a free seminar for those thinking of going to university in NSW.
Under New Resources we have Techassist - NSW trial - your assistive technology questions answered! The Regional Disability Liaison Officer for NT website now has resources on ‘The Road Ahead… A Northern Territory self-help planning guide to post-secondary education, employment and training for people with a disability and chronic medical conditions’ and ‘Academic Accommodations for Students with a Psychiatric Disability’. There’s information on the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission’s National Inquiry into Employment and Disability. Plus other News articles, Conferences and Workshops, 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:
Older, in debt and foreign
Gavin Moodie
March 08, 2006
JOHN Howard's decade has intensified the transfer of university funding from the government to domestic and international students. Funding per student has increased but has not kept up with increased costs. There has been an extraordinary growth in international students from 9 per cent of total enrolments in 1996 to 25 per cent in 2004. Students are older, more are studying by external and multi-mode study and more are studying the broad discipline group that comprises arts, humanities, social sciences and law.
Most of these are extrapolations of changes introduced by the Hawke-Keating government. The Coalition needs to win the 2007 federal election to secure Howard's biggest changes: the establishment of a substantial market in private domestic student places and the development of private providers.
For the rest of the article go to
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,18381741%255E12332,00.html
Tech school revived to boost skills
By Adam Morton
March 8, 2006
THE Bracks Government has revived technical colleges as the centrepiece of its pre-election push to tackle skills shortages.
Seventeen years after the "tech school" model was abandoned under then education minister Joan Kirner, the Government will build four Technical Education Centres to offer pre-apprenticeship and first-year apprenticeship training to students in years 10 to 12.
The first centre, or TEC, will open next year in Wangaratta, with others to follow in Ballarat, Berwick and
Premier Steve Bracks said the centres would differ from the old technical colleges by linking them with TAFEs, schools and industry to fill a gap in the training market.
For the rest of the article go to
http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5478,18385466%255E2862,00.html
Plan to tackle state's skills shortage
By Paul Austin
March 7, 2006
THOUSANDS of extra students will be able to get a "taste" of a trade while staying on at school under a pre-election assault on
Premier Steve Bracks will announce today the multimillion-dollar plan, which will include funding for an extra 4500 "pre-apprenticeships" — training courses for school-age students who are interested in becoming apprentices.
For the rest of the article go to
Way beyond their age
Should very bright children be promoted to higher classes? Parents and teachers don't always agree, says education writer Justine Ferrari
March 07, 2006
HALF the parents you've met think their little darlings are gifted. It's often a joking remark made between parents: "Of course, my child is terribly advanced, very gifted."
Of course, no one seriously considers the child actually might be advanced, which is why gifted-education expert Miraca Gross recoils at the anecdote. "It's a disturbing cliche," she says. "It's one of the reasons why it's so difficult for these children to be recognised.
For the rest of the article go to
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,18371191%255E28737,00.html
Call to extend loans to TAFE students
Date: 06/03/06
By Kylie Williams
TAFE Directors Australia (TDA) has called on the government to extend student loans, such as HECS and FEE HELP, to vocational students which would include all accredited training courses.
TDA wants the government to consider the proposal in the lead up to the Ministerial Sector Resource Action Group on the skills crisis which will be held in
But Vocational and Technical Education Minister Gary Hardgrave said TAFE colleges were a state and territory responsibility.
He also said the federal government believed it was up to businesses to put apprentices through training courses.
For the rest of the article go to
http://seven.com.au/news/nationalnews/150148
TAFE push on mature age skilling
Peter Mickelburough
06mar06
WORKING mums, dads and even grandparents will be helped to return to school under a $52 million program to teach old workers new tricks.
Education Minister Lynne Kosky told the Herald Sun yesterday the money would help 5300 Victorians aged up to 64 to boost their skills over the next four years by creating extra TAFE places for mature students.
Ms Kosky said reskilling workers would keep them ahead of changes in technology and knowledge, and also increase their opportunities for higher paid jobs.
For the rest of the article go to
http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5478,18358376%255E2862,00.html
NUS abandons anti-VSU campaign
Jess
The National Union of Students (NUS) has abandoned the campaign against the Howard government’s “voluntary student unionism” (VSU) legislation. This is despite last December’s NUS national conference voting to continue with the campaign in 2006.
Instead, the ALP-dominated NUS leadership announced on February 8 that it will focus on a student welfare campaign.
NUS president Rose Jackson insists that VSU remains an important issue, but none of the orientation week material posted out to campuses contained any mention of VSU. Though the demands of the proposed welfare campaign should be supported, they do not address the fact that VSU is a strategic attempt to destroy the organisations that students have to defend their rights as students.
For the rest of the article go to
http://www.greenleft.org.au/back/2006/659/659p11.htm
Your say on uni days
By NEWS.com.au readers
02mar06
DOUBLE masters graduate Meagan Phillipson claims university was the worst investment she has made.
After eight years of study and accumulating a $20,000 HECS debt, Meagan says she can't find a job.
For the rest of the article go to
http://www.sundaytimes.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,7034,18322554%255E421,00.htm
Beer and fun clubs flourish
Dianne McKean
March 01, 2006
AT the
But showbags packed with condoms, libido stimulators and bottled water were packing them in over at the International Student Travel Confederation tent.
Early signs are that cheap beer and ice cream will dominate student club life on campus after voluntary student unionism is introduced on July 1. Free dental services, sports facilities and lunches for needy students are among the services facing the axe. For some student unions and clubs, especially those which have previously dwelt on non-mercantile matters of the mind or social issues, life will end.
For the rest of the article go to
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,18304311%255E12332,00.html
University 'the worst investment'
From: By Meagan Phillipson
March 01, 2006
THE scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz should have done the maths before he wished for a brain. In my experience, the brain is a black hole for investment that may never pay off.
That may sound like a bleak assessment but I'm contemplating an ever-mounting consumer price index-adjusted $20,000 HECS debt with nothing but three pieces of paper shoved in a drawer to show for it. When I left high school, I had two paths from which to choose: one to university and the other to the working world.
For the rest of the article go to
http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,18303734-2,00.html
Loan scheme under attack
Lisa Macnamara
March 01, 2006
THE new student loan scheme is poor policy, inequitable and in need of a radical overhaul, the architect of
The attack on a key plank of the Howard Government's higher education reforms gathered strength when Bruce Chapman, of the
FEE-HELP is a HECS-style loan scheme in which repayments are delayed until a graduate earns income. It was introduced last year to reduce the burden of up-front fees for full fee-paying students.
However, with more than 60 full-fee degrees priced at $100,000 or more, the university sector has lobbied for an increase in the loan cap, currently set at $50,950.
For the rest of the article go to
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,18305554%255E12332,00.html
Unis wield axe as new rules loom
By Adam Morton
February 28, 2006
More than four months before the arrival of laws banning compulsory student union fees, jobs have been shed by student bodies at Swinburne University of Technology, RMIT and the
The cutbacks have come while many universities continue to collect service and amenity fees — in some cases nearly $500 — for the full 2006 calendar year.
At Swinburne, 19 of 35 union positions have been axed, including positions in advocacy, clubs and societies, activities and reception. Swinburne University Union president Vicky Kasidis said she expected another 13 to follow, reducing the staff to three by next year.
For the rest of the article go to
Minister sticks to cap on uni loans
Samantha Maiden
February 27, 2006
FEDERAL Education Minister Julie Bishop has ruled out any increase to the new $80,000 cap on the university loans scheme, despite a damning report that finds it is failing students.
The Centre for Independent Studies has proposed an overhaul of the FEE-HELP scheme, saying it contains "major flaws" and will not cover the full cost of hundreds of degrees, forcing students to seek commercial loans to complete their studies.
The conservative think-tank has proposed chasing students beyond the grave for debts and making the student loans mimic commercial loans by allowing students with good earning prospects, such as medicine, to borrow larger sums of up to $160,000.
For the rest of the article go to
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,18281328%255E12332,00.html
Call for lift in uni fees loans cap
February 27, 2006 - 6:04AM
The loans cap for university students paying up-front fees should be lifted as the current system is unrealistic, according to a conservative think tank.
The federal government last year introduced three new loans schemes for tertiary students: HECS-HELP for students receiving federal government tuition subsidies, FEE-HELP for full-fee students, and OS-HELP for study overseas.
The Centre for Independent Studies (CIS) has released a paper calling for an increase in the current limit for FEE-HELP.
The cap is now a maximum lifetime loan of $50,950 - with $80,000 proposed for medicine.
But according to the Good Universities Guide 2006 there are more than 60 degrees offered by Australian universities which cost $100,000 or more - a dramatic increase on the previous year.
Australian Taxation Office figures show the projected accumulated Higher Education Contribution Scheme (HECS) debt will be $13.292 billion in 2005/06, up from $11.56 billion the previous year.
For the rest of the article go to
Death no bar to paying study debt
By David Rood
February 27, 2006
DEBTS from university loans would be recovered from Australians living overseas and from the deceased estates of loan holders under a radical plan for a single university loans scheme.
Andrew Norton, an education expert, argues in a paper that the Federal Government could deny the current loan to fee-paying students to people who are unlikely to pay.
He argues that
The Federal Department of Education said more than one quarter of all student HECS debt, or $2.9 billion, will not be repaid.
For the rest of the article go to
http://smh.com.au/news/national/death-no-bar-to-paying-study-debt/2006/02/26/1140888748122.html
Hidden talents
Educators, psychologists and parents fear that despite dedicated government programs to train teachers in gifted education, the academic needs of some of
For the rest of the article go to
http://www.theage.com.au/news/education-news/hidden-talents/2006/02/24/1140670263609.html
Deaf boy succeeds in school case
By Chee Chee Leung
February 23, 2006
THE program for students with disabilities in government schools has come under attack, with a tribunal criticising funding levels and questioning the expertise of staff across the system.
Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal deputy president Cate McKenzie said the program had "a number of shortcomings", and urged the State Government to review the system.
Ms McKenzie made the comments after finding that the Education Department had discriminated against deaf boy Dylan Beasley, who was a student at
She found that Dylan was discriminated against in classes where he was taught by signed English and finger spelling - instead of his first language, Auslan (the name for "Australian sign language").
For the rest of the article go to
VSU threatens jobs, services: Labor
February 21, 2006
UNIVERSITIES have begun shedding jobs and services because of the Federal Government's push to abolish voluntary student union fees, Labor said today.
The Government rammed legislation banning compulsory student unionism through the Senate in December after winning a crucial vote from Family First senator Steve Fielding.
The legislation, which has to return to the Lower House for final approval this year, means that from July 1 compulsory student union fees will be banned.
Opposition education spokeswoman Jenny Macklin said the
Another 250 casual jobs at the same university were also at risk, while several student services were being cut because they would no longer be subsidised by compulsory union fees.
For the rest of the article go to
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,18225025%255E29277,00.html
Employment News:
Skills Group Says No Quick Fix
Sue Bushell, CIO
07/03/2006 12:23:47
The Federal Government's skills crisis group is planning a three-pronged attack on
But chair of the ICT Skills Taskforce Patrick Callioni admits breaking the skills drought hindering federal government IT initiatives will take time.
Callioni, Divisional Manager of the Australian Government Information Management Office's (AGIMO), says interagency collaboration, co-ordination with Universities and TAFEs and a proposed cadetship program should all make a difference. But he warns agencies against looking for quick fixes to emerge from the group.
While refusing to declare the shortages a crisis, Callioni says "This is a problem that has been brewing for a long time; a long-term problem where there is no silver bullet."
For the rest of the article go to
http://www.cio.com.au/index.php/id;1686231808;fp;4;fpid;21
The nation needs older workers: PM
OLDER Australians need to stay in the workforce, but bosses and employees may have to compromise on hours of work and pay, Prime Minister John Howard says.
As the baby-boomer generation approaches retirement, Mr Howard said the nation needed to harness more of the untapped resources of mature-age workers and people on disability pensions.
But he also warned those workers and employers to expect to have to compromise on working hours and pay.
Mr Howard's speech on his new industrial relations arrangements to
“The bad news is that we are all getting older and as a population
For the rest of the article go to
http://www.bordermail.com.au/newsflow/pageitem?page_id=1143583
Welfare News:
Ross Fitzgerald: Only private welfare organisations care
Governments need to rethink their relationship with NGOs struggling to keep pace with demand
March 06, 2006
THE modern welfare state developed to enhance care originally designed for families and communities. Now governments are trying to go back to that model. They are unloading difficult and complex issues and cases back onto the non-government sector, transferring responsibility to voluntary and informal groups that often don't have the resources to cope.
In inner
Non-government organisations do what is expected; they pick up the problems. At least they try to, as their purposes are not utilitarian but simply to be decent and respectful to those "others", whoever they might be or whatever their problem. This is old fashioned altruism and it's nice to know it still exists.
For the rest of the article go to
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,18357784%255E7583,00.html
Leaving mentally ill on the streets no cheaper
By Adele Horin
March 2, 2006
COSTS as much to leave mentally ill homeless people on the streets or in night shelters as it does to provide them with permanent housing and proper treatment, new research indicates.
It shows a mentally ill homeless person in
For the rest of the article go to
International News:
More students have high-cost disabilities
By
Mail Tribune
The number of special-education students in
However, the number of high-cost special-education students — those with severe disabilities — continues to climb in the
Funding for special education lags behind the cost of providing services,
For the rest of the article go to
http://www.mailtribune.com/archive/2006/0227/local/stories/06local.htm
Conferences and Workshops:
International Conferences
21st Annual International Technology and Persons with Disabilities Conference
This event will be held at the
More information can be found at: http://www.csun.edu/cod
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
The 2006 National Conference of the Round Table on Information Access for People with Print Disabilities Inc.
Saturday to Tuesday, 20-23 May 2006.
Pacific International, Brisbane.
Sue Oriander, 2006 Round Table Conference Planning Committee, at susan.oriander@visionaustralia.org.au
The conference theme being ‘Realizing the Vision for Accessible Information: The Way Forward’. Topics include Unified English Braille in
Spectronics Assisted
Inclusive Learning Technologies®
Surfers
The program can be found at http://www.spectronicsinoz.com/winterschool/
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:
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
"Doing it Better" - Learning Disabilities in Education and Employment Forum
September 24 - 27 2006 - Rydges Hotel
Many of the sessions will be geared to the issues surrounding learning disability in senior schooling and the impact on Study Skills Advisers, Support Teachers and Learning Assistance.
Speakers include Dr. Gavin Reid, Roberta. G Brosnahan and Peggy Dalton
Forum information can be found at http://www.deakin.edu.au/events/ldc2006/
For additional information relating to the Forum contact:
Deakin Event Management Services
Ph: +61 3 5227 8114
Fax: +61 3 5227 8157
Email: marika.thomson@deakin.edu.au
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
Disability Discrimination Law in Education, Training and Employment: Rights and Responsibilities
9.30am – 3.30pm Monday 20th March (9.30am registration)
Norm Jordon Pavilion,
Cost: $30 per person which includes lunch, and morning and afternoon tea (TAX INVOICE RECEIPT WILL BE ISSUED)
Speakers, panel discussion and case studies, including speakers:
NSW Disability Discrimination Legal Centre: Ben Fogarty and Josh Brock
Complaints Section, HREOC (Human Rights & Equal Opportunity Commission): Sharon Young
Registration essential: to register, email gwen.johnson@une.edu.au for a registration form.
DEAN Professional Development Day - Aspergers/Autistic Spectrum Disorders & Emerging Trends and Issues in Disability
When: Wednesday 12TH April, Registration from 9:30 a.m.
Where:
City Campus,
Speakers include Graeme Innes, HREOC, on “Emerging Trends and Issues in Disability”
Further information including RSVP information will be shortly posted to http://www.anu.edu.au/disabilities/DEAN/news/
SETTING DIRECTIONS SEMINAR 2006 - University education options for people with disabilities
A FREE SEMINAR
Come to this seminar and find out about:
• alternative entry schemes • choosing careers • disability services • assistive technology • talks by current students and graduates • financial issues • and it’s not all study!
Date • Saturday 27 May 2006
Times • Registration 9.30am
Seminar 10.00am – 4.00pm
Venue •
For registration & further details
Contact Liz Claridge
Tel • (02) 9385 6768
Mob • 0418 981 199
Fax • (02) 9385 6262
Email • e.claridge@unsw.edu.au
For further venue information contact
(02) 9514 1183 or visit www.ssu.uts.edu.au/sneeds/
• RSVP • Friday 19 May 2006
• Accessible Venue • FM loops • Large Print • Braille • Sign Interpreters • Attendant Care • Electronic Formats
New Resources:
The
The Winter '06 Newsletter is available here: http://www.beachcenter.org/news/default.asp?Type=Newsletter&act=&id=73
Accessible Design of Distance Learning (Web Page)
This Web page from The National Center on Accessible Distance Learning (AccessDL) provides links to resources on making Web-based distance learning courses accessible to students and instructors with disabilities, including discussion lists, accessibility indicators, publications, streaming video presentations, trainings, resource centers, promising practices, course management software, Web editors, and research.
http://www.washington.edu/doit/Resources/accessdl.html
The Fast Facts for Faculty information briefs from the ADA Coordinator’s Office at the
http://ada.osu.edu/resources/fastfacts/
TECHASSIST - NSW TRIAL - YOUR ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY QUESTIONS ANSWERED!
TechAssist is for people who use assistive computer technology at work, at their educational institution or at home. Specialised help can be hard to find, costly and delayed. TechAssist aims to provide immediate online support and training, eg. technical support when a device or program is not working properly; expert advice about new options, demonstrated to you on your own computer.
The TechAssist pilot project is funded by the Department of Education, Science and Training. It is being implemented by Ability Technology, a not-for-profit organisation with extensive experience in assisting people in using assistive computer technology.
The project aims to give educators, employers, disability services and people with a disability access to a range of professional advice. They will also be gathering data to argue for the establishment of a permanent support service in this area. The "TechAssist" pilot project for NSW will run to mid-2006.
For more information contact Kay Dean, Regional Disability Liaison Officer, Hunter/Central Coast Region, NSW on Tel: (02) 4921 8844 or Mobile: 0438 218848 or email: kay.dean@newcastle.edu.au
‘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
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
Calls for Expressions of Interest and Input:
Ability Not Disability
Australian industries are experiencing the impact of skills shortage. Employers cannot afford to miss any opportunity to look at and consider all possible sources for their workforce and increase their competitive advantage.
ABL/State Chamber is at the forefront of issues affecting business, one of the main issues being matching the most appropriate candidate to a job is the single most important outcome for recruitment.
People with a disability represent a relatively untapped resource for employers. There are approximately 700,000 people receiving a Disability Support Pension. This represents a large proportion of the population that is not being utilised as a resource with skills and knowledge.
Understanding, developing and effectively managing the diversity of their employee’s and target markets is a factor in a businesses future success.
To support the individual employers engage people with a disability. ABL/State Chamber can provide assistance through a Disability Project Officer who is available to give advice on assistance services, support and the incentives that are available to employers looking to employ people with a disability. Information is also available at www.australianbusiness.com.au under Training and apprenticeships.
ABL/State Chamber is currently looking for case studies of employers who have employed a person with a disability to be used to assist employers engage people with a disability into employment.
If you would like to participate or need information on support and incentives available please contact
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.
Request for Input from Mature Age Students with a Disability
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
Spotlight on Useful Resources:
Low Cost Internet
A low cost Internet service is now available to people on a Disability Services Pension, a DVA Entitlement Pension or an Aged Pension Card thanks to a partnership arrangement negotiated by Technical Aid to the Disabled Australia (TADAust) with wholesales communications provider, ispOne.
At the rate of only $5.50 a month, including no set-up fee, unlimited downloads and flexible contract arrangements, this is the cheapest dialup service on the market today.
TADAust is a national organisation that together with health care professionals assesses the needs of the frail aged and people with disabilities in order to design aids that will improve their independence.
For more information contact: TADACT on 02 6287 4290 or go to http://www.tadaustconnect.org.au/ to register.
Cheap PCs
GreenPC computers and eligibility - GreenPC asks for verification of low-income status via a Health Care Card, Pension Card, or some other form of low-income status. Therefore, students with disabilities from low-income backgrounds certainly qualify and can purchase systems through us by calling us directly on (03) 9486 9355 or visiting our website at www.greenpc.com.au . Our website lists all our available systems together with pricing information. Please feel free to circulate and/or direct any interested people to our 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.
Report of National Inquiry into Disability and Employment tabled
A national report has called on the Commonwealth Government to lead the development of a National Disability Employment Strategy for
Workability II: Solutions, the Report of the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission’s National Inquiry into Employment and Disability, was tabled in Federal Parliament on 14/02/2005.
"Commonwealth, State and Territory governments must work together to create a level playing field for people with disability in employment" said Human Rights Commissioner and acting Disability Discrimination Commissioner Graeme Innes.
The National Inquiry was launched on 4 March 2005 to address the low employment rate and earning potential for people with a disability. The Inquiry’s interim report WORKability I: Barriers found there were three sets of obstacles to higher employment rates - the lack of easily accessible and comprehensive information and advice; concern about the possible costs for employers and employees with disability and the "risk" factor or concern about the financial and personal impact on employers and employees if the job does not work out.
People with disability represent a significant proportion of Australia's working age population (16.6%), yet they participate in the workforce at lower rates, they are less likely to be employed when they do attempt to participate, and they will earn less if they do get a job. This has been the case for a long time and indications are that it is getting worse.
The Inquiry found that governments needed to do more to provide support, services and incentives to employers and to people with disability to ensure true equality of opportunity.
The Commonwealth Government has already agreed to establish a one-stop shop to provide a central information point for people with disability and employers, the first of 30 recommendations in the report.
Governments also needed to provide leadership to the private sector, and the community at large, by improving public sector employment practices and developing clear information strategies to address employer concerns about the costs and risks associated with people with disability as employees.
Business peak organisations and individual corporations also needed to play their parts in lowering the barriers to employing people with disability.
The report recommends the National Strategy address at least the following, as a matter of priority
* developing a whole-of-government approach to ensuring appropriate financial and practical support to people with disability, including a streamlined system to provide adequate:
* income support;
* transport, equipment and health care subsidies and concessions;
* workplace supports and modifications; and
* personal care in the home and workplace;
* improving the effectiveness of government-funded employment service delivery to people with disability and employers (including recruitment assistance and access to supports on an as-needed basis);
* improving transition-to-work schemes for people with disability in secondary, tertiary and vocational education and training institutions;
* ensuring better relationships between private sector employers and government-funded information, recruitment and employment support services;
* increasing recruitment and retention of people with disability in the public sector (at the Commonwealth, State, Territory and local government levels); and
* developing a benchmarking, monitoring and reporting system to ensure accountability and ongoing improvement to the incentives, supports and services available to people with disability and employers.
Commissioner Innes said he was encouraged by the positive response which the Commonwealth Government had already shown to many of the ideas raised during the inquiry, and looked forward to further constructive work with government, employers and disability community representatives in advancing equal opportunity and more effective participation in the labour market for Australians with disabilities.
He expressed his appreciation for the work of his predecessor as Human Rights Commissioner, Dr Sev Ozdowski, in initiating and leading the Inquiry.
The Report and other material from the inquiry is available at
http://www.humanrights.gov.au/disability_rights/employment_inquiry/index.htm
Scholarships:
http://www.cdds.med.usyd.edu.au/dco/Scholarships.htm
Media Releases:
Death taxes kill lifelong learning
A new report by the Centre for Independent Studies raises the possibility of a FEE-Help restructure. Options canvassed include linking lending to capacity to repay, and combining HECS-Help and FEE-Help into one loan system with increased differential caps. The report proposes extending the 20% surcharge on FEE-Help loans to apply to postgraduate courses, and collecting FEE-Help debts from Australians living overseas and from the estates of deceased FEE-Help debtors.
When full fee postgraduate courses were deregulated and again when full fee undergraduate courses were introduced, concerns were raised about the potential for massive increases in fees. These concerns have been borne out many times over, and an increase in the FEE-Help loan limit will only start another round of fee hikes, blowing out the cost of education beyond the reach of most postgraduate students.
Most appallingly, the CIS report suggests that government loans could be denied to those who are from groups deemed unlikely to pay. Combined with a reference to the “effects of personality factors on earnings” this should set off alarm bells across the sector and beyond.
What has become of the commitment to universal lifelong learning, to equitable access to education, to retraining and updating of skills? An educated population is a national asset no matter at what age that education is acquired.
The current fee and loan structure ignores the fact that university graduates already pay for their education many times over through the taxation system. A revision of the funding for university education is certainly needed, but we reject the AVCC solution of removing the FEE-Help cap as a sell out on access and equity for generations to come.
The appropriate solution is to extend the number, value and range of commonwealth supported places including postgraduate places, thus limiting full fees and reducing student debt.
Minister Bishop has stated that the current fee cap will not be increased, but will the Minister guarantee that the other repugnant elements of the CIS paper will similarly be rejected?
For further media enquiries please contact
CAPA President Jason Hart on 0425 823 144
CAPA is the national peak body representing
Departmental Changes
Following the changes announced by the Prime Minister on 24 January 2006, we are now known as the Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs and will use the acronym FaCSIA. The new portfolio is made up of the Office of Indigenous Policy Coordination (OIPC) and the old Department of Family and Community Services. The Hon Mal Brough MP will become Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, and will also become Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Indigenous Affairs. The Hon John Cobb MP will become Minister for Community Services. Minister Cobb will have responsibility for disability services.
http://www.facs.gov.au/newsletters/disability/2006/issue58.htm
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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 3 Vol 2
Compiled by Timothy Hart the DCO for Northern, Central and