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Disability Education and Employment News:Vol 3 No 13 - Friday, 29th August 2007 |
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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, we have information on a number of Assisted Technology Forums around the country, the next DEAN professional development day, The Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission has streamlined their website and ‘Grasp the Nettle’ A exciting new collection of tertiary transition experiences from people with learning disability , plus further information on Resources, Conferences and Workshops, News articles 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.
Education News:
Uni's $45m scholarships
August 22, 2007 12:00am
SCHOOL students as young as 15 will be paid to study under a landmark $45 million program to be launched at the
High-flying students in 250 high schools across
The five-year "Making the Difference'' scheme offers 470 different scholarships for undergraduate and postgraduate study across a huge range of courses. It is part of a major push by UWS to lure homegrown talent in the western suburbs to attend the university, which now boasts a new medicine faculty
For the rest of the article go to
http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,22284274-5006009,00.html
VSU adds to postgrad woes
Milanda Rout | August 15, 2007
POSTGRADUATE students are the hidden victims of voluntary student unionism legislation, with at least eight universities no longer having independent postgraduate student associations.
Research by the Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations has found that student organisations at a postgraduate level have been significantly affected by the legislative ban on compulsory student union fees.
The association discovered that four organisations are receiving less than 5 per cent of their pre-VSU funding, another four are getting less than 50 per cent and staffing levels have been halved.
The survey of independent postgraduate organisations across the country found that seven groups didn't even have staff and many had been forced into mergers with undergraduate organisations. It also found that although 70per cent of organisations received some funding from their university, it often came with strict conditions.
For the rest of the article go to
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,22246464-12332,00.html
What price a university education?
August 15, 2007
REACHING a ton is usually cause for celebration, but today The Age reports on one such milestone that is quite the reverse. From next year, more than 100 full-fee university degrees in
In just four years the total courses costing more than $100,000 has more than doubled. In 2005, 45 degrees cost that much or more. In 2006, the number rose to 60, and this year it climbed to 97. The figures are revealed in The Good Universities Guide, published today.
For the rest of the article go to
Extent of student poverty highlighted
August 08, 2007 04:26am
ONE in eight university students regularly go hungry because they cannot afford to eat, said a report painting a bleak picture of undergraduate poverty.
Almost half of undergraduate students are surviving on less than $10,000 a year, according to the report which found students are struggling to balance study while earning an income and paying for the bare essentials.
The Australian University Student Finances study, released today, is the final analysis of a Universities Australia survey of almost 19,000 students last year.
For the rest of the article go to
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,22208668-5005961,00.html
High price of top uni degrees
Peter Rolfe
August 05, 2007 12:00am
STUDENTS desperate to enrol at
Wealthy students pay more than five times the usual price of a degree to buy their way on to campus.
About 10,000 international students have signed up for the expensive degrees this year. Rich Australians boost the number to more than 17,000.
For the rest of the article go to
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,22188582-2862,00.html
Parents take court action on education
Bridie Smith
July 25, 2007
THE State Government is set to be dragged through the courts on at least a dozen occasions by angry parents who say their disabled children are being neglected in schools.
The parents, frustrated with the level of assistance available for children with learning and language disorders, have taken action in the Federal Court and the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission.
Advocates claim the sheer volume of cases is evidence the Department of Education's Program for Students with Disabilities is too rigid and was failing hundreds of students.
At the end of 2004 the department capped the severe language disorder category of the Program for Students with Disabilities budget, with estimates the move saved at least $50 million last year.
For the rest of the article go to
Employment News:
Uni plan to build skills
GREG KELTON, STATE EDITOR
August 14, 2007 02:15am
INCREASED funding, including a HECS remission scheme, has been proposed by five of the nation's hi-tech universities as part of a plan to ease the skills shortage.
The universities want targeted funding to combat skills shortages in areas such as engineering, maths, science, innovation, nursing and information technology.
Queensland University of Technology,
For the rest of the article go to
http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,22240364-5006301,00.html
Education still the key to good job: ABS
August 7, 2007 - 1:54PM
The notion that a good education leads to better employment opportunities is reinforced in the latest Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) figures.
In a reflection of overall employment trends, the jobless rate is down for almost all education groups, with those who have tertiary qualifications doing the best.
The ABS says that among those with a bachelor degree or above, the unemployment rate is 2.4 per cent, down from 2.6 per cent last year.
For those with an advanced diploma or below, the jobless rate is four per cent and for those with other non-school qualifications, it is 3.3 per cent.
For the rest of the article go to
Jobs ads fall 0.5 per cent in July
6-August-07 by AAP
The tally of job ads has fallen for the second consecutive month but the unemployment rate is still tipped to fall below four per cent within a year, says the ANZ job ad series.
Economists expect the three-decade-low jobless figure for last month to edge up, to be close to five per cent, as single parents and people with disabilities are counted in the participation rate for the first time.
The ANZ job ads series showed the number of jobs advertised on the internet and in major newspapers fell by a seasonally adjusted 0.5 per cent in July to 248,590 a week.
For the rest of the article go to
http://www.wabusinessnews.com.au/en-story/1/55541/Jobs-ads-fall-0-5-per-cent-in-July-
Dropouts fuel skills shortfall
August 06, 2007 03:10pm
SCHOOL completion rates must increase dramatically to address
The report, by the Australian Industry Group (Ai) and the Dusseldorp Skills Forum (DSF), found year 12 or vocational equivalent completion rates need to increase 19 per cent over the next decade to meet the estimated skills shortfall.
In 2005 around 67 per cent of Australian school leavers had acquired a year 12 or vocational equivalent.
The report found rates of school completion in
DSF chair, Mr Jack Dusseldorp, said the government should aim to lift the target to 90 per cent by 2015.
For the rest of the article go to
http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,22197032-5006009,00.html
Welfare News:
Welfare payments cut for 15,000
Stephanie Peatling
August 15, 2007
MORE than 15,000 people had welfare payments cut off for eight weeks in the first year of the Federal Government's tough new welfare rules.
In the year before the changes, 6432 people were penalised for not meeting requirements, such as applying for jobs and attending job interviews.
But in the first year of the new system - June 2006 to July 2007 - 15,509 people went without their payments, a figure that welfare groups and the Greens said showed the system was unnecessarily strict.
The president of the National Welfare Rights Network, Michael Raper, said: "Harsh social security penalties have taken $27.2 million out of the pockets of the most vulnerable Australians."
For the rest of the article go to
http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/welfare-payments-cut-for-15000/2007/08/14/1186857512081.html
Bishop queries 'anecdotal' poverty study
Adam Morton, Higher Education Reporter
August 13, 2007
Federal Education Minister Julie Bishop has challenged the validity of a survey that found student poverty has worsened dramatically this decade.
In an interview with The Age, Ms Bishop described a report by lobby group Universities Australia - which found nearly one in four undergraduates took out loans last year to cover basic living costs - as "very anecdotal", and questioned whether students answered truthfully.
"I know what I would have said if I were a student," she said.
"I just think that we can do better in terms of getting an evidence-based report. But I accept as a matter of principle that we've got to focus on students' ability to study at university."
Ms Bishop's criticism preceded Universities Australia releasing the final report on its survey of nearly 19,000 students' finances.
It found the plight of indigenous students was particularly bad, with one in four sometimes unable to afford food and other necessities, compared with one in eight non-indigenous students.
For the rest of the article go to
85 percent of Aussies "touched" by mental illness: report
Tuesday, 31 July 2007
Most Australians at one time or another are directly or indirectly affected by mental illness, a new report has found.
The Wesley Mission report indicates the condition affects 85 percent of the population, with 36 percent having a direct experience of the disease.
Amongst the report's other findings:
The document is the result of a six-month survey of 600 people in Sydney and Melbourne.
“Mental illness remains a taboo subject for many people although it touches the lives of most Australians,” the mission's superintendent Reverend Keith Garner said.
For the rest of the article go to
http://ibnnews.org/national/many_aussies_affected_by_mental_illness_31707_4265845145477_00000.html
Conferences and Workshops:
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES
RAATE 2007 26th – 27th November,
Don’t miss your chance to take part. Call for Papers now announced.
RAATE 2007 is the only
The conference program has, over the past years, regularly included new technological developments, service innovations, results of formal research projects, service based research and development and a wide range of other stimulating topics. Known as a friendly and productive conference, RAATE offers you a chance to meet and share knowledge and experience with other people working in AT.
For more details and to register your interest, visit http://www.raate.org.uk/call-for-papers
2nd International Conference on Special Education - “Sharing Knowledge & Experience Around the World”
June 18-21, 2008
Divan Mares Hotel, Marmaris,
For further information, please visit the website http://icose2008.anadolu.edu.tr/index_housing.htm
NATIONAL CONFERENCES
Australian Association of Special Education Inc. - 2007 National Conference
28-30 September, 2007
For further details go to: http://www.gemspl.com.au/aase/ or for further details contact GEMS Conference Management on phone (02) 9744 5252
An interactive conference covering the issues that matter for Disability Employment Network Providers!
Thursday October 18th & Friday October 19th
Hotel Rendezvous,
For more information contact Taryn Harvey: 08 92089811 or Taryn.Harvey@nds.org.au
EOPHEA 2007 Conference
Ethics and Equity; Revaluing Social Responsibility in Education
19th to 22nd November 2007
The conference aims to provide space for practitioners and policy makers to reflect on and critically analyse how we understand values, ethics and social responsibility in the current educational context.
There will also be opportunities for sharing good practice and equity initiatives, for staff and students in universities and vocational education and training.
For more information and regular updates please visit; http://conferences.vu.edu.au/EOPHEA2007/Home.html
Alternate Format Support Who? What? How?
The Online Teaching Support Team (OTST) and The Equity and Access Unit (EAU) at La Trobe University invite you attend an alternate format practitioners' gathering.
The aim for the 2-3 day event is for practitioners of alternate formats, in the tertiary education sector, to share practical knowledge and skills via participation in hands-on workshops and presentations.
The format of the program will comprise morning presentations and afternoon workshops. It is planned there will be a final group session seeking to answer the most burning questions of the previous two days.
At this stage we are refining the program and asking for expressions of interest for attendance and/or contribution to the presentations. It is intended the program will be finalised by the end of August.
The workshops will focus on, but not limited to, the 4 most asked questions:
Sourcing: From where? Hardcopy? Electronic? Is it available elsewhere?
Converting: How do I do this? What programs do I use? How long will/should it take? In House production/Outsourcing?.
Formats: Braille, RTF, MP3, DAISY, PDF, Word, HTML, XML?
Legal/Copyright/Funding: What you should do/what you have to do.
The planned dates for this event are 21st-23rd January, 2008.
For any queries or suggestions, please call Darren Britten on 03 9479 5160 or email afs@latrobe.edu.au
Inclusive Learning Technologies® Conference 2008
May 12th to 15th, 2008
Marriott Hotel in Surfers Paradise in
Keynote Presenters: Dr. Caroline Musselwhite and Kelly Fonner
What is the Inclusive Learning Technologies® Conference 2008 about?
This conference (hosted by Spectronics) focuses specifically on “inclusive learning technologies” - those technologies designed to support people with disabilities and/or learning difficulties.
For more information go to http://www.spectronicsinoz.com/library.asp?article=24282
WA EVENTS
Assistive Technology Forum: Tuesday October 16th, 2007 4pm - 7:30pm
Building 100 - Chancellory Council Chambers & Foyer
Limited to 100 people: RSVP: Judith Gillies (RDLO) j.gillies@curtin.edu.au
Teaching and Learning Support Forum - Featuring Assisted/Adapted Technology
Monday & Tuesday October 22/23rd. 4pm - 7:30pm
Curtin Vocational Training and Education Centre,
Hosted by Curtin VTEC (Vocational Training and Education Centre) and the Disability Coordination Officer Program.
Sponsored by the regions Local Community Partnership Coordinator - Career Advise
RSVP: Pollyana.Thomas@curtin.edu.au
NSW EVENTS
Accessing the Future: Assistive Technology in Education and Employment
Don't be late - register now. Registrations close 3rd September
September 2007 Forums -
Presented by the Regional Disability Liaison Officers/
These three forums will provide participants with information and training relating to the use of assistive technology in Education and Employment
Included in these forums:
Cost:
Registration is only $50.00 for a full day’s program, forum bag, morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea and access to the hands-on training strand (the NSW RDLOs & DCOs are subsidising the cost of the Forums to ensure that this training and information day is accessible to all who would like to participate)
Who Should Attend?
Staff in Schools and Post school education & training including Teachers, Teacher-aids, Teacher Consultants and Disability Liaison Officers; Employers; Disability Employment Network and Job Network providers; disability services; government agencies; students and people with a disability and their families
A copy of the program is included below, for further details and to register please visit: http://www.newcastle.edu.au/rdlo/2007assistivetechnologyforum.html
The Forum Program is at http://www.newcastle.edu.au/service/rdlo/forumprogram.html
DEAN PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT DAY
Wednesday, 26th September, 2007,
(See map at http://www.uts.edu.au/about/mapsdirections/bway.html )
Topic: Mental Health
Summary of Program:
9:00 to 9:30 am: REGISTRATION
9:30 am: Depression and Self-harm in Adolescents Sue Bromham (DET Relieving/District Guidance Officer)
11:00 am MORNING TEA
11:30 am Brain and Mind Research Institute Jeanne Gehue (Mental Health Resources), Leanne (Early Detection of Mental Health Issues)
1:00 pm LUNCH
1:15 pm DEAN AGM (all welcome to attend)
1:45 pm Anxiety Disorders Workshop Phyllis Parr, Clinical Psychologist, Student Counsellor at UWS:
3:00 pm Group Networking
3:30 FINISH
Cost: Members: $25 Non-members $35 (includes morning tea and lunch)
For further information go to http://www.anu.edu.au/disabilities/DEAN/news/deanpdday260907.htm
For the registration forms go to http://www.anu.edu.au/disabilities/DEAN/news/deanreg260907.htm
and the PDF version at: http://www.anu.edu.au/disabilities/DEAN/news/deanreg260907.pdf
To RSVP, you must complete the Registration Form by 5 pm on Monday 24th September, 2007 and send it to :
Kay Dean
Fax: 4921 6939
Email: Kay.Dean@newcastle.edu.au
Telephone: 4921 8844
(It is important to register for catering, access requirements, interpreters and future Accreditation purposes)
The Australian Employers Network on Disability will be holding two seminars in
MANAGING AN EMPLOYEE'S RETURN TO WORK
When: 9:00am - 1:00pm Wed 5th Sept 2007
Where: Sparke Helmore, Level 16,
Cost: Members $325 + GST / Non-members $395 + GST
RSVP: By 5pm Friday 31st August
2007 to
DISCLOSURE OF DISABILITY IN THE WORKPLACE
When: 9:00am - 1:00pm Wed 19th Sept
Where: UBS, Level 16 Chifley Tower,
Cost: Members $325 + GST / Non-members $395 + GST
RSVP: By 5pm Friday 14th September 2007 to
Assistive Technology Day - in
Contact Gwen Johnson on e-mail gwen.johnson@une.edu.au for more details.
New Resources:
The Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission has streamlined its website.
Conciliated outcomes:
Education: http://www.humanrights.gov.au/disability_rights/decisions/conciliation/education_conciliation.html
Employment: http://www.humanrights.gov.au/disability_rights/decisions/conciliation/employment_conciliation.html
Federal Court decisions:
Education: http://www.humanrights.gov.au/disability_rights/decisions/court/court.html#cted
Employment: http://www.humanrights.gov.au/disability_rights/decisions/court/court.html#ctemp
Federal
Education: http://www.humanrights.gov.au/disability_rights/decisions/court/court.html#magedu
Employment: http://www.humanrights.gov.au/disability_rights/decisions/court/court.html#magemp
From Kay Dean, Regional Disability Liaison Officer, Hunter/Central
Adaptive Technologies News and Reviews
http://www.cli.nsw.edu.au/cli/e-learning/Adaptive_technologies/adaptive_latest.shtm
Did you know? A guide to vocational education and training in Australia
The Australian vocational education and training (VET) system is complex and diverse. To help those new to the system understand it, this publication provides some basic information about what it is, why people choose it and who does so, as well as who funds it, how and where it is taught and what qualifications it offers. It also provides a useful list of organisations and information services linked with the VET system.
http://www.ncver.edu.au/publications/1790.html
Tools for Collecting and Using PSO Data
Sampling and Response Calculators http://www.psocenter.org/collecting.html#samp
Post School Data Collection Protocols http://www.psocenter.org/collecting.html#post
Documents and Presentations http://www.psocenter.org/collecting.html#docs
DOING IT BETTER; A Forum on Learning Disabilities in Education Presentation Papers
Presentation papers from the DOING IT BETTER; A Forum on Learning Disabilities in Education held in May 2007 are now available for download – Go to http://www.latrobe.edu.au/equity/LDforum.htm
Round Table on Information Access for People with Print Disabilities Presentation Papers
Presentation papers from the Round Table on Information Access for People with Print Disabilities held in May 2007 are now available for download – Go to http://www.e-bility.com/roundtable/conf_proceedings07.php
New Websites:
‘The disAbility Leisure, Arts, Sports and Lifestyle Web Guide’
The new disAbility Leisure, Arts, Sports and Lifestyle Web Guide, a useful communication tool and resource for all people within the disability sector.
RDLO-DCO Resources http://www.adcet.edu.au/rdco:
Grasp the Nettle
http://www.rmit.edu.au/ssg/dco/graspthenettle
A collection of tertiary transition experiences from people with learning disability
These recordings are taken from the Grasp the nettle CD: a project funded by the Office of Training and Tertiary Education (OTTE), and coordinated by the Disability Coordination Officer project. The CD shares the experiences of 11 individuals with learning disability who have made the transition into further education. Its aim is to aid in an improved transition experience for future students who have a learning disability.
Education to Employment Package For Graduates With Disabilities And Employers
Looking for a job can be very challenging for new graduates, including university and TAFE graduates with disabilities. Challenges may include understanding your rights and responsibilities in the work environment, when, if and how to disclose your disability and negotiating workplace adjustments with an employer.
The Education to Employment Packages also features a section for employers to assist in the process of employing people with disabilities. Some employers feel uncertain as to their role in recruiting people with disabilities such as developing appropriate recruitment processes and inclusive workplaces, implementing workplace adjustments and understanding the services available to assist them through the process.
The Education to Employer Package has been developed to address these issues by providing information, services, resources and contacts for graduates with disabilities and employers.
To access the EDUCATION TO EMPLOYMENT PACKAGE refer to the website: www.uws.edu.au/rdlo/employment
ADCET Scholarships list available to Post Secondary students with disability
http://www.adcet.edu.au/ViewFAQDetail.aspx?itemID=724
Media Releases:
National Union of Students' higher education priorities - Senator Stott Despoja
Senator Natasha Stott Despoja
Democrats Senator for
Australian Democrats spokesperson for Higher Education
The Australian Democrats have welcomed the announcement of higher education policy priorities by the National Union of Students (NUS) in the lead-up to the election.
"The NUS have highlighted four priorities - full-fee places to be scrapped, HECS to be reduced, voluntary student unionism to be repealed and more student income support - that the Democrats have long called for," Democrats' Spokesperson for Higher Education, Senators Natasha Stott Despoja said.
To view this Press Release, follow this Link
http://www.democrats.org.au/news/index.htm?press_id=6096&display=1
Govt out of touch on university fees
Senator Natasha Stott Despoja
Democrats Senator for
Australian Democrats spokesperson for Higher Education
The latest edition of the Good Universities Guide reveals how university fees have blown out under the Howard Government, say the Australian Democrats.
"In 1999 Prime Minister Howard stated that would be no $100 000 degrees under his watch. The Good Universities Guide shows that there are now more than 100 degrees costing at least that much, and even two that cost more than $240 000," Democrats' Spokesperson for Higher Education, Senator Natasha Stott Despoja said.
To view this Press Release, follow this Link
http://www.democrats.org.au/news/index.htm?press_id=6068&display=1
Govt must do more to relieve student financial stress
Senator Natasha Stott Despoja
Democrats Senator for
Australian Democrats spokesperson for Higher Education
The final report by Universities Australia, Australian University Student Finances 2006, confirms that university students are facing significant financial stress in this country, say the Australian Democrats.
To view this Press Release, follow this Link
http://www.democrats.org.au/news/index.htm?press_id=6052&display=1
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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; 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 Officers and Disability Coordination Officers programmes are funded by the Commonwealth Department of Education, Science and Training.
No 13, Vol 3
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