Topic: Preparing your student for tertiary education

Planning and Supports for 2021

Presenter: Esther Revens, Disability Liaison Officer, Chisholm TAFE

This session will focus on the planning and support impacts of COVID-19 on students with disability who are graduating this year. Chisholm TAFE Disability Liaison officer (DLO) Esther Revens will discuss the importance of planning for independence in tertiary education.

Topic: Employment support pathways and referral

What support is available for students leaving school this year?

Presenter: Local Area Coordinator (LAC) Brotherhood of St Laurence

This session will focus on employment services and supports, including eligibility and access.

Topic: Supporting mental health in student transition

The mental health needs of graduating students in 2020

Presenter: Cheryne Blom, Programs Manager, STRIDE Education

This session will focus on the mental health impacts of COVID-19 on students with disability who are graduating this year. STRIDE Education Programs Manager Cheryne Blom will discuss the programs offered by stride and their responsive program design approach to students at this time.

Students who require adjustments to course materials or any support due to their disability during their studies must;

• Contact the disability support services at the relevant tertiary education provider before commencing the course to allow the institute time to prepare appropriate supports and ensure timely access for the student.
• Discuss support requirements in consultation with disability support services.
• Provide evidence of disability to access disability support services.
• Consider information about successful reasonable adjustment used in the past.

TAFE Institute and University employ Disability Specialists that may be able to provide the following services to assist you with your studies if required:

• Alternative arrangements for assessment (for example, additional time, scribe, reader)
• Academic Support Workers (for example, note takers, interpreters, readers)
• Access to adaptive technology (for example, voice activated software)
• Alternative format course materials (for example, braille, disk)
• Liaison with lecturers / teachers
• Physical access to facilities
• Referral to other support services (eg health, housing, learning skills unit)
• Enrolment and campus orientation

Students who require personal care supports during class times due to their disability are responsible for arranging and sourcing funding for these supports. (Please refer your enquiry to the NDIS) To see if you are eligible: https://www.ndis.gov.au/providers/becoming-ndis-provider/am-i-ready/requirements-and-eligibility or call 1800 800 110

What is School Leavers Employment Support?

School Leaver Employment Support, or SLES, is a new NDIS support which may help you.

SLES is about giving you the skills and confidence to help you move from school to employment. It offers individualised support for up to two years after finishing year 12 to help you get ready for work and plan your pathway to employment.

SLES supports will be tailored to meet your individual employment goals.

This may include: Work experience in open employment: Job skills Training and Travel Training

Pathways to Employment

In the case of disability some skills may require additional support in the short medium or long term.  Some skills may be learned or further developed on the job while others may require exposure to further learning opportunities.

There are a variety of ways to gain valuable skills experience and knowledge of the world of work.  Before considering employment supports it is important to be aware of the different eligibilities that apply.

What is a Disability Employment Service (DES) ?

Disability Employment Services providers offer a range of services to assist people with disability to find and maintain open employment, including:

• helping you to prepare for work, including training in specific job skills
• job search support, such as résumé development, training in interview skills, and help with looking for suitable jobs
• support when you’re initially placed into a job, including on the job training and co-worker and employer interaction
• ongoing support in a job if you need it
• the purchase of vocational training and other employment related assistance
• access to help with workplace modifications, support services, and Auslan interpreting in the workplace

What is an Australian Disability Enterprise?

Australian Disability Enterprises (ADEs) provide  employment opportunities for people with disability and act as a link, helping them gain training and experience to confidently step into open employment or to continue in supported employment if they choose. The NDIS supports people with permanent and significant disability to to gain access to an ADE.

ADEs support people with moderate to severe disability to engage in a wide variety of work tasks such as packaging, assembly, production, recycling, screen printing, plant nursery, garden maintenance and landscaping, cleaning services, laundry services and food services.

Local Area Coordinator 

This video provides basic information on pathways supports for school leavers eligible for NDIS supports.

Brotherhood of St Laurence

Contact:  1300 275 634

Bayside and Mornington Peninsula

Latrobe Community Health Service

Contact: 1800 242 696

Southern Melbourne

Burke and Beyond – Next Step

Contact: Deanne Ray

Address: 146-148 Walker Street Dandenong

P: (03) 9886 1111 extension 600

E: deanner@burkeandbeyond.org.au

W: www.burkeandbeyond.org.au

Capable Me

GRE8

Amanda Eames – SLES Manager

E: amandae@gre8.com.au

0403 996138

(03) 9793 9766

genU

Sites: Rosebud, Frankston, Hastings, Mornington

Contact: Dee Davey

Address: 19 – 21 McDowell Street, Rosebud Vic 3939 (P.O. Box 159, Rosebud Vic 3939)

25 Leon Avenue, Rosebud

165 – 235 Frankston – Dandenong Road, Frankston North 3200

P: 5950 0100

E: dee.davey@genu.org.au

W: https://www.genu.org.au/

Uniting

SLES: Individual and group supports to achieve each participant’s individual goals.

Work Skill Development, Individual and Group Work Placements, Money Handling,

Travel Training and Drivers Education (Learner’s Permit) and Accredited Training options.

DES: Support to find and keep a job

Contact: Karen Burton – Community Relations Coordinator

M: 0466 796 905

E: Karen.L.Burton@vt.uniting.org

Uniting: 1300 090 989 E: employmentservices@vt.uniting.org

https://www.employmentservices.unitingvictas.org/

SLES & DES Locations: Across Melbourne in the South, East, North & West

Wallara – Logistics

160 Bridge Road, Keysborough
Victoria

03 9798 1019
wi@wallara.com.au