Newsletter Winter 2017 Region 14
____________________________________________________________________National Disability Coordination Officer Program Region 14
Welcome to the Winter edition of the NDCO program newsletter for region 14 Southern Melbourne. If you would like information about special projects, networks and professional development opportunities in relation to education & employment for people with disability please contact the NDCO program.Sally Bailey, National Disability Coordination Officer T (03) 9784 0400 M 0439 897 027
E sbailey@skillsplus.com.au W www.ndcovictoria.net.au
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Customised Employment
Gaelen Williams – Project Officer (Western Australia Transition to Employment Project)I was recently fortunate to have the opportunity to attend Gaelen Williams' 2 day training on customized employment for people with disability on behalf of National Disability Services (NDS). The customised employment model has had great success in Western Australia. NDIS eligible students can commence accessing the services from year 10. The process aims to ensure that students with disability who are seeking employment have commenced towards the achievement of their goals within years 10 to 13 and the first 12 months of leaving school.
The case studies presented over the two days demonstrated unique inspiring examples of a person centered approach to employment pathways that are inclusive of people with disability regardless of Disability Employment Service eligibility. Approximately 550 students have accessed the program in the Midland Hills's since it commenced 3 years ago and an evaluation report will be released.
While the estimated number of NDIS packages that include employment as a goal is about 2%, in the Midland Hills there are approximately 18% NDIS packages with employment as a goal! This is a valuable alternative to Australian Disability Enterprises and Disability Employment Services. We hope to see many more young people putting employment as a goal in their packages during the roll out.
For more information about the customised employment approach go to
https://www.nds.org.au/events-and-training/transition-to-work-for-people-with-disability-using-the-customised-employment-approach-and-discoveri
NDIS Plans Should have a ‘Work-First Approach’ – Pro Bono
National Disability Services CEO Ken Baker says NDIS planners need to “take a work-first approach to encourage participants”. Ken says “Too few NDIS participants have employment support in their NDIS plan – only 6 per cent of 15 to 24 year olds and 2 per cent of people 25 and over,”Go To Article
NDS receives ILC grant for schools development project
NDS will receive an Information, Linkages and Capacity Building (ILC) grant to help develop schools' capability to include students with disability.The Building School Capacity for an Inclusive Future project is designed to maximise student inclusion and learning outcomes. It aims to build awareness and collaboration between students with disability, their families, teachers, students without disability, disability service providers and the broader school community. A suite of initiatives and resources will be developed in consultation with stakeholders.
Go To Article
Research and Reports
Five-Year Youth Mental Health Report
Mission Australia has released its joint Five-Year Youth Mental Health Report with Black Dog Institute, sharing the insights gathered about the mental health of Australia’s young people during the years 2012 to 2016.The Five-Year Youth Mental Health Report shows some alarming results with almost one in four young people meeting the criteria for a probable serious mental illness (PSMI). That figure has gone up from 18.7 per cent in 2012 to 22.8 per cent in 2016.
https://www.missionaustralia.com.au/news-blog/blog/the-five-year-youth-mental-health-report-has-launched#pieoKwDJKkUblI8e.99
NCSEHE Focus: Successful outcomes for students with disability in Higher Education
This evidence-based resource is the first in a new series, collating NCSEHE funded research to inform policy and practice and improve outcomes for equity students in Australian higher education.Current research outlined in this paper includes a focus on sub-groups of students with a disability, such as Indigenous students and students on the Autism Spectrum, which not only deals with issues facing these particular groups, but which reinforces the variety, range and individuality of students with a disability.
https://www.ncsehe.edu.au/ncsehe-focus-successful-outcomes-students-disability-australian-higher-education/
Research looking at psychological reports for students experiencing learning difficulties
This research is looking at how psychological reports are used to support students experiencing learning difficulties.
We are seeking three groups of people to participate in this research:
1. Parents who, at some point, have received a psychological report on their child who has experienced learning difficulties
2. Teachers who have had experience reading a psychological report for a student experiencing learning difficulties, and
3. Psychologists who have experience writing psychological reports for students experiencing learning difficulties.
It is hoped that this research will provide greater insight into how, if at all, stakeholders use reports and the impact, if any, this has on supporting children who experience difficulties in their learning.
If you would like to participate you can complete the survey (which should take about 20 minutes) here: https://tinyurl.com/y9f7vc8d
Participants will have the option to go into a draw to win 1 of 3 $100 Coles/Myer vouchers.
This project is being conducted by Ka Leng Lei and Stephen Campbell, under the supervision of Dr Kate Jacobs and Joanne Lindelauf, as part of their 4th year thesis in the Faculty of Education at Monash University. The study has ethics approval from Monash University Human Research Ethics Committee.
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We are seeking three groups of people to participate in this research:
1. Parents who, at some point, have received a psychological report on their child who has experienced learning difficulties
2. Teachers who have had experience reading a psychological report for a student experiencing learning difficulties, and
3. Psychologists who have experience writing psychological reports for students experiencing learning difficulties.
It is hoped that this research will provide greater insight into how, if at all, stakeholders use reports and the impact, if any, this has on supporting children who experience difficulties in their learning.
If you would like to participate you can complete the survey (which should take about 20 minutes) here: https://tinyurl.com/y9f7vc8d
Participants will have the option to go into a draw to win 1 of 3 $100 Coles/Myer vouchers.
This project is being conducted by Ka Leng Lei and Stephen Campbell, under the supervision of Dr Kate Jacobs and Joanne Lindelauf, as part of their 4th year thesis in the Faculty of Education at Monash University. The study has ethics approval from Monash University Human Research Ethics Committee.
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Conferences and Workshops
Australasian Society for Intellectual Disability (ASID) Conference
Registration is now open for the 2017 Australasian Society for Intellectual Disability Conference to be held in Hobart on 8 - 10 November 2017.
The conference aims to present an inclusive and exciting program with many opportunities for discussion and debate. ASID’s focus is research to practice – the dialogue between researchers, practitioners, service providers, governments, families and people with intellectual disability which has the goal of finding better ways to support inclusion for individuals and to change systems. Further information available on the ASID 2017 website.
http://www.asid2017.com.au/registration/
Disability Employment Australia Annual Conference
6-7 September 2017 Brisbane
Disability Employment Australia’s Annual Conference is Australasia’s premier conference for managers, aspiring managers, practitioners, and academics working in or with the Disability Employment Services sector.
As part of its ongoing commitment to industry development and growth, Disability Employment Australia provides delegates with opportunities to think, question and respond to a range of critical issues in ways that are meaningful to their organisations, people with disability, employers and the industry more broadly.
Further information available at http://dea.conferenceworks.com.au/
Disability Employment Australia’s Annual Conference is Australasia’s premier conference for managers, aspiring managers, practitioners, and academics working in or with the Disability Employment Services sector.
As part of its ongoing commitment to industry development and growth, Disability Employment Australia provides delegates with opportunities to think, question and respond to a range of critical issues in ways that are meaningful to their organisations, people with disability, employers and the industry more broadly.
Further information available at http://dea.conferenceworks.com.au/
Access Easy English – Learn Easy English
This 2 day writing course is suitable for anyone who writes information for the public, eg: communications and marketing staff; support workers, planners, therapists, disability advocates, teachers, ethics teams, survey developers, report writers, lawyers and NDIS When: Monday 19 and Tuesday 20 June, 2017
Where: Kingston Arts Centre, Nepean Hwy. Moorabbin
Time: 9:00am – 4:00pm
Cost: $550 + gst Morning tea and light lunch provided staff
Call Cathy Basterfield 0466 579 855 or email cathy@accesseasyenglish.com.au
Where: Kingston Arts Centre, Nepean Hwy. Moorabbin
Time: 9:00am – 4:00pm
Cost: $550 + gst Morning tea and light lunch provided staff
Call Cathy Basterfield 0466 579 855 or email cathy@accesseasyenglish.com.au
Inclusion Melbourne - NDIS family readiness workshops
Across 2x2 hour sessions we will cover 4 main areas:
• What is the NDIS: including what is changing, the processes and documentation
• Choice and control within the NDIS
• Planning: including pre-planning, goal setting & articulating these goals, and how your plan translates into supports
• Your plan in action: including a guide to the price guide, the review process, and consumer rights
The cost of this program to be run for you would be $800, the maximum capacity would be 20 families. This quote is based on the sessions being run locally, and during business hours. The quote is inclusive of all resources, staffing costs, and travel costs.
You are welcome to charge attendees a small fee to cover these costs. For example, 20 families paying $40 each would cover the entire cost. We also have substantial experience preparing organisations for the NDIS which you may be interested in: https://www.inclusiondesignlab.org.au/ndisready/
For more information contact Jenna Hepburn;
E: jenna.hepburn@inclusion.melbourne
W: www.inclusiondesignlab.org.au
T: (03) 9509 4266
M: 0432 152 555
F: (03) 9576 0378
A: 67 Sutherland Rd, Armadale VIC 3143
• What is the NDIS: including what is changing, the processes and documentation
• Choice and control within the NDIS
• Planning: including pre-planning, goal setting & articulating these goals, and how your plan translates into supports
• Your plan in action: including a guide to the price guide, the review process, and consumer rights
The cost of this program to be run for you would be $800, the maximum capacity would be 20 families. This quote is based on the sessions being run locally, and during business hours. The quote is inclusive of all resources, staffing costs, and travel costs.
You are welcome to charge attendees a small fee to cover these costs. For example, 20 families paying $40 each would cover the entire cost. We also have substantial experience preparing organisations for the NDIS which you may be interested in: https://www.inclusiondesignlab.org.au/ndisready/
For more information contact Jenna Hepburn;
E: jenna.hepburn@inclusion.melbourne
W: www.inclusiondesignlab.org.au
T: (03) 9509 4266
M: 0432 152 555
F: (03) 9576 0378
A: 67 Sutherland Rd, Armadale VIC 3143
Inherent Requirements in the post-secondary education and training sectors Symposium
ATEND in partnership with RMIT University, TAFE South Australia, Deakin University, Swinburne University of Technology, University of Tasmania and the National Disability Coordination Officers program is excited to bring you this symposium.
It will bring together a range of practitioners who work with Inherent Requirements in the post-secondary education and training sectors, and aim to establish shared understanding about key concepts and definitions. It also endeavours to create an opportunity to develop a consistent approach to inherent requirements which focuses upon inclusion of people with disability in the VET and Higher Education sectors
Date & Time: Tuesday, 27 June, 2017. Registration open - 8.45am. Start - 9.30pm to 4.30pm
Venue: RMIT University, 124 La Trobe Street, Melbourne
Cost: $90 ATEND members & $100.00 Non ATEND members
Keynote speaker: Alastair McEwin, Australian Disability Discrimination Commissioner
Alastair’s educational background is in arts, law and business administration. Following his undergraduate studies in Adelaide, he spent time in Vancouver, Canada, pursuing postgraduate studies. Prior to moving to Sydney to commence as a consultant with Accenture, a global management and IT consulting company, he worked as Associate to the Hon. Justice John von Doussa at the Federal Court. Alastair has a strong background in working with non-profit organisations. He was the Executive Director of Community Legal Centres NSW, the peak body for Community Legal Centres in NSW. Other roles include CEO of People with Disability Australia and Manager of the Australian Centre for Disability Law.
For more information: ATEND | Symposium: IR .
Registration is limited.
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/toward-a-common-understanding-of-best-practice-inherent-requirements-in-the-post-secondary-tickets-33108472332
Inside the Spectrum: An Autism Professional Development Conference
This conference will equip you with the skills you need to empower students on the Autism
Spectrum.
When: Friday 28 July 2017, 9am - 3pm.
Where: Aquinas College, 46 Great Ryrie Street, Ringwood.
It will bring together a range of practitioners who work with Inherent Requirements in the post-secondary education and training sectors, and aim to establish shared understanding about key concepts and definitions. It also endeavours to create an opportunity to develop a consistent approach to inherent requirements which focuses upon inclusion of people with disability in the VET and Higher Education sectors
Date & Time: Tuesday, 27 June, 2017. Registration open - 8.45am. Start - 9.30pm to 4.30pm
Venue: RMIT University, 124 La Trobe Street, Melbourne
Cost: $90 ATEND members & $100.00 Non ATEND members
Keynote speaker: Alastair McEwin, Australian Disability Discrimination Commissioner
Alastair’s educational background is in arts, law and business administration. Following his undergraduate studies in Adelaide, he spent time in Vancouver, Canada, pursuing postgraduate studies. Prior to moving to Sydney to commence as a consultant with Accenture, a global management and IT consulting company, he worked as Associate to the Hon. Justice John von Doussa at the Federal Court. Alastair has a strong background in working with non-profit organisations. He was the Executive Director of Community Legal Centres NSW, the peak body for Community Legal Centres in NSW. Other roles include CEO of People with Disability Australia and Manager of the Australian Centre for Disability Law.
For more information: ATEND | Symposium: IR .
Registration is limited.
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/toward-a-common-understanding-of-best-practice-inherent-requirements-in-the-post-secondary-tickets-33108472332
Inside the Spectrum: An Autism Professional Development Conference
This conference will equip you with the skills you need to empower students on the Autism
Spectrum.
When: Friday 28 July 2017, 9am - 3pm.
Where: Aquinas College, 46 Great Ryrie Street, Ringwood.
Study with your health, not against it
By Royal Childrens Hospital, Ronald McDonald Learning Program Capital City LLEN and Starlights Livewire Program
Free Education and Wellbeing Forum for young people with chronic health conditions and / or disabilities, parents and teachers.
Date: Tuesday 25 July 2017
Time: 5 pm to 8 pm (registrations from 4:30pm)
Where: Victoria University Convention Centre, Level 12, 300 Flinders Street Melbourne
Cost: FREE
A free Education and Wellbeing Forum for young people with chronic health conditions and/or disabilities, parents and teachers.
Join us to learn more about
• Special Provisions for VCE
• Course Applications
• Special Entry Access Scheme (SEAS)
• Scholarships
• Career planning
• University and TAFE supports
• Workplace options
• Other supports and tips on how to stay sane during VCE and VCAL
Joining us at this event will be a special guest emcee
RSVP's for the forum close Monday 4th July2017.
Registration will be open on the night from 4:30pm, if you have any dietary requirements please contact Evekyb on (03) 9345 4980 or evelyn.culnane@rch.org.au
Register via: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/study-with-your-health-not-against-it-2017-educationforum-tickets-30150376588
For further information, please contact Evelyn Culnane on 9345 4980 or evelyn.culnane@rch.org.au
Free Education and Wellbeing Forum for young people with chronic health conditions and / or disabilities, parents and teachers.
Date: Tuesday 25 July 2017
Time: 5 pm to 8 pm (registrations from 4:30pm)
Where: Victoria University Convention Centre, Level 12, 300 Flinders Street Melbourne
Cost: FREE
A free Education and Wellbeing Forum for young people with chronic health conditions and/or disabilities, parents and teachers.
Join us to learn more about
• Special Provisions for VCE
• Course Applications
• Special Entry Access Scheme (SEAS)
• Scholarships
• Career planning
• University and TAFE supports
• Workplace options
• Other supports and tips on how to stay sane during VCE and VCAL
Joining us at this event will be a special guest emcee
RSVP's for the forum close Monday 4th July2017.
Registration will be open on the night from 4:30pm, if you have any dietary requirements please contact Evekyb on (03) 9345 4980 or evelyn.culnane@rch.org.au
Register via: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/study-with-your-health-not-against-it-2017-educationforum-tickets-30150376588
For further information, please contact Evelyn Culnane on 9345 4980 or evelyn.culnane@rch.org.au
The Inclusive Education Summit 2017
October 28th, 29th & 30th 2017
Proudly Hosted by the University of South Australia
School of Education South Australia, Adelaide
CALL FOR PAPERS CONFERENCE THEME:
Who's in? Who's out? Who decides? What are we going to do about it?
The Inclusive Education Summit invites researchers, education leaders and workers, advocacy organisations, people experiencing exclusion to present their research or inclusive education projects on the following sub-themes: Educational Exclusion; Indigenous Education; Disability and Education; Refugee Education; Education for Children Living in Remote and Rural Areas; Poverty and Education; Children Living in Areas of War and
Conflict; Religious and Ethnic Exclusion / Inclusion; LGBTG Education; Education Policy-Making and Reform.
Presentations may take the form of: Symposia; Paper Presentations; Posters; Performance.
Submissions to be made to TIES2017@unisa.edu.au *Closes 18th of June 2017
Proudly Hosted by the University of South Australia
School of Education South Australia, Adelaide
CALL FOR PAPERS CONFERENCE THEME:
Who's in? Who's out? Who decides? What are we going to do about it?
The Inclusive Education Summit invites researchers, education leaders and workers, advocacy organisations, people experiencing exclusion to present their research or inclusive education projects on the following sub-themes: Educational Exclusion; Indigenous Education; Disability and Education; Refugee Education; Education for Children Living in Remote and Rural Areas; Poverty and Education; Children Living in Areas of War and
Conflict; Religious and Ethnic Exclusion / Inclusion; LGBTG Education; Education Policy-Making and Reform.
Presentations may take the form of: Symposia; Paper Presentations; Posters; Performance.
Submissions to be made to TIES2017@unisa.edu.au *Closes 18th of June 2017
Resources and Tools
Aspect Capable Facebook page
Autism Employment Opportunities Victoria and NSW
When you physically cant get out, there is still social media. Check out this new Facebook page:
www.facebook.com/aspectcapable as we will be positing all future employment opportunities for individuals on the autism spectrum in VIC on there (those on our mentoring program will also be informed by their mentor however in case of gaps between sessions, I‘d suggest also checking Facebook).
When you physically cant get out, there is still social media. Check out this new Facebook page:
www.facebook.com/aspectcapable as we will be positing all future employment opportunities for individuals on the autism spectrum in VIC on there (those on our mentoring program will also be informed by their mentor however in case of gaps between sessions, I‘d suggest also checking Facebook).
Directory of Professional Learning for Flexible Learning Programs
Links to external webpages with professional learning opportunities related to the following areas: Indigenous students, Refugee and/or Migrant students, Cultural Competence / Awareness, Disability, Autism, Sexual and Gender Diversity
http://www.vala.asn.au/professional-learning/student-diversity.htm
http://www.vala.asn.au/professional-learning/student-diversity.htm
Disability Awareness Training Online
Disability awareness is an important part of establishing real inclusion for people with disabilities. It is the first step in overcoming any concerns or stereotypes that you may have interacting with people who have a disability. Become more informed with this FREE, self-paced introduction to disability and discover inclusive practices for the workplace and the community. Start your FREE Disability Awareness Training today: www.disabilityawareness.com.au
Free Captioning and description editing tool
The National Center for Accessible Media (NCAM) in the USA has just launched CADET (Caption and Description Editing Tool) which was previously only available as a Beta project. This official launch version of CADET was developed with partial funding from the Massachusetts Attorney General's Office with the rest coming from crowd-funding, and is available via a free download.
It is a free, downloadable caption-authoring software tool that can also be used to generate audio-description scripts.
It enables anyone to produce high-quality caption files that are compatible with any media player that supports the display of captions, and a short video on CADET (link is external) illustrates its intuitive operation.
https://mediaaccess.org.au/latest_news/disability/free-captioning-and-description-editing-tool-launched
It is a free, downloadable caption-authoring software tool that can also be used to generate audio-description scripts.
It enables anyone to produce high-quality caption files that are compatible with any media player that supports the display of captions, and a short video on CADET (link is external) illustrates its intuitive operation.
https://mediaaccess.org.au/latest_news/disability/free-captioning-and-description-editing-tool-launched
Online disability advocacy finder
The Department of Social Services' online disability advocacy finder now includes NDIS Appeals and state- and territory-funded advocacy providers. The finder will also continue to help people with disability find National Disability Advocacy Program services across Australia. It can be accessed from the Department of Social Services’ website.
The finder is quick and easy to use, and it can search by location or provider type, making it easier to locate the service that will best meet an individual's needs. The finder displays contact details for each provider, their service location and directions to get there through Google Maps.
The finder can also be accessed using your smart phone or tablet.
https://disabilityadvocacyfinder.dss.gov.au/disability/ndap/
The finder is quick and easy to use, and it can search by location or provider type, making it easier to locate the service that will best meet an individual's needs. The finder displays contact details for each provider, their service location and directions to get there through Google Maps.
The finder can also be accessed using your smart phone or tablet.
https://disabilityadvocacyfinder.dss.gov.au/disability/ndap/
Transition to Employment: tools for school leavers
Develop a 'pathways to employment' framework and a corresponding resource for Local Area coordinators, school leavers and their families to use in planning for post school objectives.
What are the key benefits?
Support for NDIS Coordinators to ensure a holistic, planned approach to transition to work
Develop the skills, interests and confidence toward job readiness
Promoting the employment of people with disability
Go To Article
What are the key benefits?
Support for NDIS Coordinators to ensure a holistic, planned approach to transition to work
Develop the skills, interests and confidence toward job readiness
Promoting the employment of people with disability
Go To Article
Outside the Square professional learning films are available for free viewing on YouTube.
Outside the Square is a series of documentary films to increase knowledge and understanding of dyslexia in our education system. The films feature LDA's Distinguished Professor Anne Castles, Dr Lorraine Hammond and Dr Bartek Rajkowski. Click on the links below to view each film.
Film 1: Understanding and Identifying Dyslexia
Film 2: Targeted Teaching for Students with Dyslexia
Film 3: The Explicit Teaching of Language and Literacy
The films are designed to be used as part of a teacher initiated or school based professional development session, as they are aligned with the AITSL Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (APST). The Outside the Square website has focus questions and certificates of completion for continuing professional development.
Film 1: Understanding and Identifying Dyslexia
Film 2: Targeted Teaching for Students with Dyslexia
Film 3: The Explicit Teaching of Language and Literacy
The films are designed to be used as part of a teacher initiated or school based professional development session, as they are aligned with the AITSL Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (APST). The Outside the Square website has focus questions and certificates of completion for continuing professional development.
Webinar: Teaching university students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): Practical strategies for success
This webinar was hosted by ADCET and the Australian Tertiary Education Network on Disability (ATEND) in April, 2017. The presenter was Kimberley McMahon-Coleman.
Kimberley McMahon-Coleman and Kim Draisma have extensive experience working with university students on the spectrum, and recently published a book that provides tertiary educators and support staff with practical strategies for addressing challenges associated with ASD as they manifest in college and university environments. In this webinar, Kimberley McMahon-Coleman drew from the findings to offer insight on how to use person-centred approaches to assist students with: Interpreting assignment tasks; Understanding unwritten expectations and codes of conduct; Working around rigidity of thinking; Project planning; Self-monitoring, and Multi-tasking.
http://www.adcet.edu.au/resource/9589/webinar-teaching-university-students-with-autism-spectrum-disord/
Download Newsletter PDF WORD
Kimberley McMahon-Coleman and Kim Draisma have extensive experience working with university students on the spectrum, and recently published a book that provides tertiary educators and support staff with practical strategies for addressing challenges associated with ASD as they manifest in college and university environments. In this webinar, Kimberley McMahon-Coleman drew from the findings to offer insight on how to use person-centred approaches to assist students with: Interpreting assignment tasks; Understanding unwritten expectations and codes of conduct; Working around rigidity of thinking; Project planning; Self-monitoring, and Multi-tasking.
http://www.adcet.edu.au/resource/9589/webinar-teaching-university-students-with-autism-spectrum-disord/
Download Newsletter PDF WORD
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