Newsletter Summer 2017
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National Disability Coordination Officer Program Region 14
Welcome to the spring edition of the NDCO programme newsletter for region 14. 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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Innovative careers program wins award
Young people with disability are challenging limiting stereotypes and preparing for independent lives after school. A group of senior students at Naranga, a specialist school in Frankston, are proving that young people with disability are able to develop the skills needed for success in the world of work.
They are participating in a Careers Access Program, which recently won a Victorian Disability Services Award for excellence in employment outcomes. It aims to develop employability, build confidence and prepare young people for the workforce.
-See more at: http://www.tickettowork.org.au/stories/innovative-careers-program-wins-excellence-award/#sthash.td5MZFiF.RcjPQpls.dpuf
https://www.youtube.com/user/AAPathways
Figure 1 Student gardening
VET Student Loans
VET Student Loans commenced on 1 January 2017, replacing the VET FEE‑HELP scheme, which ceased on 31 December 2016. Information about the new program is outlined in the resources below. This page will be updated regularly as additional information becomes available.
http://education.gov.au/vet-student-loans
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Policy and Research
Endeavour Foundation Endowment Challenge Fund
The Endeavour Foundation Endowment Challenge Fund is a Charitable Trust established to benefit Australians with a disability, especially people with an intellectual or developmental disability. The Fund aims to encourage quality and innovation in the disability services sector. Funding is available in an annual competitive grants round for researchers and postgraduate students to undertake research into issues of key importance for the Australian disability sector. For more information go to www.endowmentchallengefund.com.au/
ILC Commissioning Framework Consultation
The NDIS has just released the next version of the ILC Commissioning Framework. This version incorporates the feedback we received as part of the ILC consultation sessions held last year.
The ILC Commissioning Framework explains how the ILC Policy will be implemented by:
Outlining the vision for ILC to build an ordinary life for people with disability through greater community inclusion
Explaining how the outcomes that ILC will achieve for people with disability contribute to the vision and community inclusion
Describing the role of ILC in the NDIS.
Ultimately, the ILC Commissioning Framework sets the scene for the commissioning processes that will follow.
https://www.ndis.gov.au/communities/ilc-home/ilc-commissioning-framework-consultation
Longitudinal Study of Australian School Leavers and their Families
Researchers from the Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre the Autism Cooperative Research Centre (Autism CRC) are together conducting the longitudinal study, a unique profile of school leavers with Autism.
For this purpose, OTARC would like to invite adolescents and adults (with or without an ASD) who are in their final years of school, or first years post-school (aged 15-25), to participate in a longitudinal study. We are also inviting parents or guardians of these students to be involved.
What are the aims of this study?
The main aim of this study is to better understand the process of transitioning from school to adult life for Australian students with an ASD and their families.
We would also like to understand how students who DO NOT have an ASD transition from school to adult life, in order to understand the unique ASD profiles and issues associated with this period.
Who can participate in this study?
• Students with an ASD, finishing school or in their first years post-school
• Students without an Autism Spectrum condition finishing school or in their first years post-school
• A parent/guardian of one of the above young
To find out more, you can contact Dr Mirko Uljarevic (M.Uljarevic@latrobe.edu.au) or Ms Ru Ying Cai (R.Cai@latrobe.edu.au) or you can follow these two links:
http://www.autismcrc.com.au/longitudinal-study-school-leavers-autism
National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) & Mental Health
The final publications of the June 2013 to 2016 ‘NDIS and Mental Health Analysis Partnership Project’ undertaken with the Mental Health Commission of NSW in the NSW Hunter NDIS trial site are now available.
• Navigating the NDIS: Lessons Learned through the Hunter Trial
• Guideline for Establishing a Local NDIS Community of Practice to Enhance Learning and Sector Reform
mhcc.org.au/policy-advocacy-reform/influence-and-reform/ndis-and-mental-healthpsychosocial-disability.aspx
Resilience/Thriving in Post-Secondary Students with Disabilities (NCSEHE)
Across most universities in Australia, students with a disability have been enrolling in greater numbers than ever before. However, the scholarship and research on equity in the Australian higher education sector has largely ignored the needs of these students. The overarching goal of this study was to explore and describe the lived experiences of students with a self-disclosed disability enrolled at a regional university in Australia.
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Professional Development
Australian Disability Clearinghouse on Education and Training (ADCET) Webinar
Thursday 10 March, 1pm - 2pm AEDT
ADCET in partnership with The National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) is excited to bring you a webinar showcasing the finding from a recently released research project 'Supporting tertiary students with disabilities: individualised and institution-level approaches in practice'.
The research explores the complex factors affecting the implementation of learning supports to assist students with disabilities or ongoing health conditions and provides examples of best practice. It finds that students, disability services staff, and teachers are all important in identifying support needs, developing support plans and negotiating how learning can be reasonably adjusted to meet an individual’s needs. However, these viewpoints differ highlighting the need for greater collaboration to provide relevant and effective learning supports.
This webinar will be presented by two of the researchers, Dr Annie Venville and Professor Ellie Fossey.
Further information and links to the registration page will be added shortly to adcet.edu.au/resource/9234/
Melbourne Disability Research to Action Forum
The NDIS will introduce new approaches to service delivery and innovative opportunities for technology and design development, underscoring the critical role of research and evidence-based practice. This full-day event will feature leading disability researchers and service providers showcasing research-based practice. Specific sessions will demonstrate the evidence base for critical areas including achieving quality services and service design, housing, interfaces between services, workforce, and inclusion and community participation.
Wednesday 15 February 2017
Time: 9:00-4:30
Location: RMIT University, Level 7, Building 80, 445 Swanston Street, Melbourne
Cost: Members of NDS and/or the NDS Victorian Research Advisory Group: $140 Students: $50 People with a disability: $50 Non-members: $180 Contact information For any enquiries, please contact Liza Brown-Pinsky, Policy and Project Officer, Victoria, 03 8341 4309, liza.brown-pinsky@nds.org
2017 Round Table Conference
“Information Access – new modes, technologies and opportunities”
Information access is important to all persons with print disabilities, and has many dimensions including format (braille, large print, E-text, etc.), facilities (libraries, agencies, educational institutions, government bodies) and modes of access (tablet, laptop, refreshable braille). The 2017 Conference will explore the ever-expanding opportunities presented to people with print disabilities for communication, learning and information access and creation.
This conference provides three full days of technical, research and panel sessions, presentations and practical workshops on issues related to accessibility. There are also many opportunities for networking and socialising with key speakers, panel members and attendees.
Dates and Venue
Saturday, 6 May 2017 – Tuesday, 9 May 2017
Mercure Perth, 10 Irwin Street, Perth WA 6000
Call for Papers Are Now Open
Closing date for submission of Abstracts: Wednesday, 30 November 2016.
Call for Abstracts Paper (48 KB)
Abstract Submission Form (36 KB)
http://printdisability.org/conference/
Training for people with an intellectual disability to be Peer Educators about safety in relationships
This is a free program to train people with intellectual disabilities about safe relationships and sex.
We are looking looking for people with disabilities to become paid 'Peer Educators'.
Train the Trainer training:
When: 12, 14, 20 & 21 February
Time: 9.30am - 3.00pm
Where: The Corner youth hub, 91 Wilsons Rd, Mornington
Book: Contact Virginia Richardson by Monday 6 Feb on 5950 1630 or email richve@mornpen.vic.gov.au
We are also looking for people (such as support workers) to do the training as 'Program Partners'. The program will work to reduce the unacceptably high rates of physical and sexual violence against people with a disability, through training, leadership and a local network.
For more background on the program, visit the Deakin site here.
Date: Mon, 13/02/2017 - 09:30 - 15:00
Contact Name: Virginia Richardson
Contact Phone: 5950 1630
Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorder - Teaching Strategies and Behaviour Support
Friday 24 February 2017
Join Sue for inspiring, entertaining and informative workshops throughout Australia and New Zealand. These are fun, fast moving and exciting days which will give attendees the confidence and understanding needed to help make it a success.
Time: 9.30am to 3.00pm
Where: The Crest on Barkly, 47 Barkly Street, ST KILDA, VIC 3182
Sue also offers a number of workshops throughout Australia with world-renowned Dr Tony Attwood.
All of our workshops are for anyone wanting to understand more about autism spectrum disorder and how to support children and adults with an ASD – including educators, families and all ASD service providers.
All training is Nationally Accredited as Professional Development for Teachers.
https://suelarkey.com.au/workshops/ registration essential
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Resources
Access and Inclusion Index
Access and Inclusion is the consideration and incorporation of the needs of people with disability in all areas of an organisation’s operations. This means ensuring that people with disability have equal access to employment, training and development, products and services, premises, communication and information communication technology.
For more information about the Access and Inclusion Index and how to use it go to
https://accessandinclusionindex.com.au/overview
AGOSCI 13th Biennial Conference
17 - 20 May 2017
The Grand Hyatt, Melbourne, Australia
** Early Bird Registration is now open!
The AGOSCI Conference Theme for 2017 is "Ready, Set, AACtion". The conference is an opportunity for people who use AAC, their families, friends, work colleagues, and people who work within the area of Augmentative and Alternative Communication to come together to share their knowledge and skills.
Registration for the AGOSCI Conference is now open. You can easily register via an online form or download the registration brochure and manually complete a form.
Please note: Early Bird rates are valid until the 28th of February 2017 after which standard rates will apply. Register Online Now
AGOSCI Scholarship Information
Limited funding will be available for scholarships to support people with complex communication needs to attend the AGOSCI 2017 Conference. Applications close 28 February 2017. Click below for further information on how to apply and who is eligible.
Document Accessibility Toolbar (DAT)
An innovation that revolutionises the ease and speed of creating accessible documents in Microsoft Word, the Document Accessibility Toolbar (DAT) supports individuals and organisations to embrace accessibility as ‘business as usual’ at no cost.
The DAT puts the power of accessible functionality into the hands of content authors, for the ultimate benefit of consumers with disability or age-related impairment.
https://www.visionaustralia.org/dat
Decision-making support: Building Capacity within Victoria
The aim of the Supported Decision Making Project was to build knowledge on how people with cognitive impairment can be supported to make major life decisions, such as post-school options and accommodation.
The research, conducted by La Trobe University, explored the processes and dilemmas associated with supporting people with cognitive disability in decision making. The outcomes of the research were then used by Scope to develop a range of resources to improve knowledge and build capacity in the area of decision-making support. The multimedia and print resources target families and carers, service providers, and legal professionals.
Disability Knowledge Clearing House
The CADR Disability Knowledge Clearing House exists to help us understand 'what works, for whom, under what circumstances, at what cost’. Here you will find a repository of links to a wide range of disability research and evaluation resources. CADR is constantly adding material to this site with the aim of building the most comprehensive collection of disability research and resources for the Australian context.
Downloadable Disability Access Symbols
There are over 54 million citizens with disability who want and need access to work and the buildings in which people work. Apart from all ethical considerations, the law demands that people with disability are accommodated.
These symbols advertise your accessibility to employees, customers, audiences, and anyone else who needs access to your building or offices. Examples of places you’ll want to promote your accessibility include: advertisements, newsletters, conference and program brochures, membership forms, building signage, floor plans and maps.
http://www.artsaccessaustralia.org/resources/publications/118-downloadable-disability-access-symbols
Employ Outside the Box
Employ Outside the Box is a series of publications to encourage businesses to diversify their workforce. By providing a clear business case and a systematic approach to internal procedures, the guides help businesses to hire people with disability, mature-age workers, Indigenous Australians and other categories of people with skills to offer.
https://www.acci.asn.au/program/employ-outside-box
Get Ready Workbook Series
The NDCO program has developed a series of workbooks for young people with disability, a chronic medical condition or a mental health condition to help plan life after school.
These workbooks are based on the top ten tips for moving into post school education, training and employment pathways. They contain practical activities, facts on rights and responsibilities, useful links and more!
There are three workbooks:
• Get Ready – Top Tips for Students with Disability
• Get Ready – Top Tips for ATSI Students with Disability
• Get Ready – A Guide for Parents
The workbooks are FREE to download and can be progressively completed electronically and saved to a computer.
There is also a plain text version for users of assistive technology and an Easy English version of the Student and ATSI workbook for people with low literacy or language skills.
You can download all versions at www.westernsydney.edu.au/ndco/
Opening All Options Disability
ADCET has relaunch the updated Opening All Options Disability Learning Resource (OAO) via a Webinar. The resource has been revamped to ensure the information provided is current, with the aim to improve the knowledge and skills of Disability Practitioners, Academics & Teaching staff about students with Specific Learning Disability (SLD). The latest version was updated by leading Australian disability practitioners Julie Fry and Jo Webber, and is hosted and managed by ADCET.
You can find out more about OAO here http://www.adcet.edu.au/oao/
Individual pages can be printed along with questionnaires and there is even a referral letter to request a formal assessment that can be downloaded. We hope all of this makes your job easier.
Person-Centred Practice across Cultures resources
Person-Centred Practice Across Cultures is a series of resources focusing on the crucial importance of cultural awareness and sensitivity in disability support and service delivery. There are 14 workbooks to assist you to be sensitive to and maximise cultural and linguistic diversity in your work. They cover issues such as choice and control for CALD customers, attracting people, engaging with local communities, bilingual workers and interpreters, and the business case for culturally-sensitive service delivery.
The Person-Centred Practice Across Cultures project was designed by futures Upfront for NDS. Funding was provided by the NSW Department of Family and Community Services, Ageing, Disability and Home Care.
Person Centred Practice across cultures resource
Supporting tertiary students with ASD
Information for university and TAFE students diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), their parents, and tertiary staff interested in learning more about ASD.
This information pertains to supporting students with an ASD in academic settings and comes from a variety of sources including local and international information, peer reviewed research and research conducted at OTARC (funded by DHS, Victoria). The information provided is general and not targeted for specific tertiary institutions.
http://www.latrobe.edu.au/otarc/families-individuals/support
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