Some of Our Parts

Win $2,000 in Total Prize Money – Enter the Give Respect Art Competition now!

Looking for something to do over the semester break?

Create a piece of art and enter it into the Give Respect Art Competition! Students and staff will create engaging content that raises awareness and reduces peer-to-peer disrespect throughout our community.

You can submit any type of artwork, such as a painting, sketch, photograph or even a poem, poster or flyer.

Please read through the Give Respect Art Competition guidelines before you start creating or choosing an item from previous work for submission.

By making a submission you have the chance to win one of the following prizes:

• 1 x $1000 Prezzee gift card for 1st place student entry
• 1 x $500 Prezzee gift card for 2nd place student entry
• 2 x gold-class movie vouchers for 1st place staff entry
• 1 x $300 Prezzee gift card for a communications-based student entry, e.g. podcast, brochure, poster etc.

Submissions close at 11.59pm, Friday 7 August 2022.

If you have any questions after reading the guidelines, send us an email at respectful-communities@monash.edu. We can’t wait to see your creations!

How Can Accessibility of Railway Station Accessibility be Improved?

As part of two research projects, a team of Monash students are developing a rating system to assess existing railway stations that can be used as an aid by operators and government agencies to provide more accessible railway stations and reduce the challenges faced by those with a disability.

Calling for People with Physical Disabilities to be Part of a Research Project

The first research team are looking for volunteers to participate in a 30-minute interview, either in person or via Zoom.

These interviews will take place late in Semester 1 or at the beginning of Semester 2.

If eligible and interested in participating, they will ask you to complete a short survey and answer a series of questions about your experiences using the rail network as a means of transport, and ask for your ideas on what needs to be improved.

• Please Click on this Form to Register Your Expression of Interest

You will go in a draw to receive one of three $50 Coles/Myer Group gift voucher.

• Approved by Monash University Human Research Ethics Committee (Project Number: 32412)

Second Railway Accessibility Project for People with Mobility Restrictions

Volunteers are asked to come to a 1.5-hour group interview held via ZOOM.

There will be about 6 other people participating in this group interview which will be run by a team of 4 student researchers.

Participants will be asked questions about what access information is required to plan a rail journey and how they think this information can be best communicated.

There will be a request to evaluate the ranking system proposal and give feedback on how suitable it is in addressing individual needs.

All information about participants will be kept confidential, and participants will also stand a chance of winning a one off $50 gift voucher through a randomly conducted draw.

Click on this link: Focus_Group_EOI to fill and register your interest in this session.

• Approved by Monash University Human Research Ethics Committee (Project Number: 32415)
• Chief Investigator – Dr. Wynita Griggs (wynita.griggs@monash.edu)

Get COVID-19 Vaccination Support

YDAS is offering free COVID-19 vaccination support to disabled young people who live in Victoria and are 12 to 25 years old.

The YDAS team can help you find information and organise supports so that you can get vaccinated.

They can give you accessible and reliable support and information about:

• COVID-19 vaccines
• COVID-19 boosters
• The vaccination process
• How to book your vaccination appointment
• Where you can get vaccinated
• Supports available for disabled young people.

Can You Get Support?

YDAS can support young Victorians, who are 12 to 25 years old, and identify as:

• Having a disability
• Having a health condition or chronic illness
• Neurodiverse or autistic
• Deaf, deaf or hard of hearing
• Blind or vision impaired
• Having lived experience of mental health issues.

YDAS can support young people with any and all types of disability.

What Support Can You Get?

The YDAS team can:

• Help you find vaccination centres that are accessible for you.
• Answer your questions or concerns about getting vaccinated.
• Find accessible and reliable information.
• Support you to book a vaccination appointment.
• Organise extra support so that you can get vaccinated.

If YDAS do not know the answer to a question when you contact them, they will follow-up to find the answer for you.

Contact YDAS

To get free support or find out more, contact the YDAS team.

Elyse (she/her)

• Text or call: 0447 186 888
• Email: ewestwood@ydas.org.au

Meg (she/her)

• Text or call: 0447 679 121
• Email: mlangmaid@ydas.org.au

You can text, call or email Elyse and Meg. A video call can also be arranged. Please let them know if you have any access needs.

Thursday 19 May 2022 is Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD)

*From the Centre for Inclusive Design

Thursday 19 May is Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD).

GAAD is a global event with the purpose of getting people talking, thinking, and learning about digital accessibility and inclusion.

It is estimated the response based on the national Australian average and found…

• 660 – wear glasses or contact lenses to see or read better.
• 180 – have a temporary or permanent disability, restricting everyday activities.
• 126 – have a literacy level lower than 1 and struggle with unfamiliar texts and multiple pieces of information.
• 100 – are dyslexic and have difficulty with accurate reading and spelling correctly.
• 42 – are colour vision deficient and have trouble distinguishing between different colours.
• 60 – are blind or have low vision that cannot be corrected with glasses or contact lenses.

If you’re thinking about how you can make the world more accessible, we’ve curated a list of our resources with information for developers, creators and everyone in between.

• The stats and facts: The Benefits of Designing for Everyone report.
• Education and resources from the best in the business: Inspiration series
• Real people, real stories: Match/Mismatch
• Uncovering the meaning of dignity: The Dignity Project with Angel Dixon and Kelsey Chapman Podcast
• Comedy made accessible: Activism through Comedy with Madeline Stewart.

Hidden Disability Sunflower Scheme – Have Your Say!

In 2016, the Hidden Disability Sunflower Scheme was designed and launched when London Gatwick Airport asked “How can we recognise that one of our passengers may have a non-obvious disability?”.

A simple sunflower design was created on a green background for a lanyard – a subtle but visible sign to enable airport staff to identify that the wearer (or someone with them) may require some extra help, time, or assistance when moving through the airport.

Wearing the Hidden Disability Sunflower discreetly indicates to people around the wearer including staff, colleagues and health professionals that they may need additional support, help or a little more time.

Since its launch in 2016, it has now been adopted globally by major airports and venues and in the UK, by many supermarkets, railway and coach stations, leisure facilities, the NHS, a number of police, fire and ambulance services, and an increasing number of small and large businesses and organisations.

Sunflower Scheme Launched in Australia

The Sunflower has been launched in Australia and is recognised in the MCG, educational institutes Go Tafe and Wodonga Tafe, all airports, Yarra trams, V/Line and a number of museums in Australia.

This initiative is designed to help and support both students and staff with hidden disabilities who might need the extra assistance or time.

It may also help raise awareness of the wide variety and spectrum of hidden disabilities.

A Sunflower is not only for those with hidden disabilities to wear. Allies can also wear it (there are Sunflower “Can I help?” badges and stickers) to let people know that if they choose to approach a Sunflower wearer, they will be supported, respected and given the patience they need.

Have Your Say on the Sunflower!

Please let us know what YOU think about this scheme.

• Please have your say by giving your feedback on this form.

(*NOTE: this form is anonymous, so please be as honest as you can.*)

PACE Mentoring Spring 2022: Applications Open!

AND is excited to announce that applications for PACE Mentoring Spring 2022 are now open!

• Are you a jobseeker or student with disability, mental health condition or chronic illness?
• Are you looking for career guidance, building disability confidence and employability skills?

PACE Mentoring is a nation-wide, free industry mentoring program that matches jobseekers and students with disability with experienced professionals from leading Australian businesses and organisations.

What is PACE Mentoring Program?

When you sign up for the PACE Mentoring program, you’ll be connected with a mentor from one of AND’s member organisations who has advice and wisdom to share.

They’ll find the right mentor for you, based on your location, the industry you’re looking to work in, your goals and other factors.

The 4-months program is a great opportunity to:

• Build confidence
• Develop employability skills
• Practice interview skills
• Network with other professionals
• Visiting worksites
• Learn some top tips to get a head start on your career
• Experience professional and personal development
• Mentoring opportunities are in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra, Perth and Adelaide.
• There are also virtual mentoring opportunities for students and jobseekers based in other locations across Australia.

Are You Eligible?

• Anyone 18 years old or over with any type of disability, mental health condition or chronic illness is eligible for the PACE Mentoring Program.

AND welcomes previous Stepping Into applicants and PACE mentees to re-apply for the program.

AND accepts applications from jobseekers with all types of disability including, but not limited to:

• Physical disability
• Mental health conditions
• Sensory impairments and immunological conditions.
• Find out more about disability types here.

How Do You Apply?

Submit an online application form here by midnight 3 July 2022 (Sunday).

Applied for a previous round of PACE Mentoring?

There is no limitation on how many times you can apply or participate in the program if you still meet the criteria, and AND can copy your previous application over if you reach out to them.

Moodle Review – Have Your Say!

The Monash Education Portfolio is conducting a review of Moodle and would like to work with students, to understand how you use the Monash learning management system (LMS) and hear your ideas on how the Moodle experience can be improved.

• All attendees will receive a $20 voucher

The online event will be held via zoom on:

• Wednesday May 11am to 12.30pm
• Please find go to the registration page to have your say

Study Stress and Support Seeking Monash University Students Registered with Disability Support Services

This research aims to better understand perceived study stress and support. We are seeking feedback from university students across both gender and disability.

What is Involved

• A 20-minute online survey answering questionnaires about study stress and support seeking

Criteria for Participation

• Aged 18 years or over
• Students from Monash University
• Currently registered with Disability Support Services

Link to Survey

Next Week is Pride Week!

Pride Week 2022 coincides with the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOBIT) on 17 May, and provides an important opportunity to bring our community together to share stories, learn, teach and to celebrate our LGBTIQA+ community.

• Pride Week commences with the Pride Flag being raised concurrently at each of our Victorian campuses on Monday 16 May at 10am.

Pride Flag Raising Ceremony

• Monday 16 May, 10am
• Caulfield, Clayton, Parkville and Peninsula

Join us at each of our Victorian campuses as we raise the Pride Flag to mark the start of Pride Week 2022. Hear how Monash is fostering a culture of inclusion and respect, and join your campus community and allies for morning tea.

The Pride Flag will fly at each of our campuses across the week, and is an important symbol of our solidarity with the LGBTIQA+ community.

Register now

• LGBTIQA+ Ally Training, as well as the new student-delivered Pronoun Pro Training, are also running during this week.