Some of Our Parts

Harvard Aspire Leadership Program

The Aspire Institute Leaders program from Harvard is a free, online leadership program offered globally to ‘First in Families’ undergraduate students. They have a target of reaching 1 million First in Families undergraduate students aged 18-29, with a particular focus on students from low-income backgrounds.

The program is comprised of three modules:

Module 1

FOUR WEEKS (3-5 HOURS/WEEK)

• Personal and Professional Development
• Strengths-based leadership skills assessment.
• Professional development resources co-created with Harvard Business School for creating a LinkedIn profile, crafting your resume, tips for interviewing, and how to network.
• Live interactions among a global cohort of peers.

Module 2

FOUR WEEKS (3-5 HOURS/WEEK)

• Immersive Learning
• Masterclasses led by world-class educators from universities around the world.
• Asynchronous and synchronous learning with a global cohort of peers and mentors.

Module 3

SIX WEEKS (3-5 HOURS/WEEK)

Aspire Horizons Course

Six session leadership development course designed and delivered by Harvard University faculty:

• Week One: Understanding Yourself as a Leader
• Week Two: Importance of Understanding Context and Building Trust
• Week Three: Digital Transformation and Artificial Intelligence
• Week Four: Voices of Leaders
• Week Five: Addressing Community Challenges
• Week Six: Being in Action in Your Communities Worldwide

Eligibility

• 18-29 years old
• from a low-income background
• first-generation college student or recent graduate but not enrolled in a graduate program
• intermediate level English

Application Deadline: Wednesday, July 3, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. EST (Boston, USA)

Cohort 3 Program Dates: Aug. – Nov., 2024

• More information: www.aspireleaders.org/program/aspire-leaders/.

Work Integrated Learning Focus Group – Survey Participants Wanted!

Monash researchers are aiming to improve the participation rates of tertiary students in work integrated learning (WIL) (also referred to as internships, placements, industry experience/immersion or work experience).

This research focuses on enhancing work integrated learning to better cater to students with disabilities.

We want to hear from you whether you have participated in WIL or not. The aim is to get a better understanding of your needs to undertake an internship as tertiary student.

While we are specifically interested in hearing from students who identify as neurodiverse, we are interested to hear from any student who has a disability (diagnosed or undiagnosed).

You do not have to be registered with your university’s disability support services to participate in this study.

Participation in this study is anonymous and will not affect your access to DSS services.

Complete Our Survey

You can complete a quick 20-minute survey and share what would help you to participate in WIL or what has / hasn’t worked for you during an internship placement. Your responses are anonymous, and we really appreciate your honest feedback.

• The survey is voluntary.
• All participants will be entered into a draw for a $50 gift card for their time completing the survey.
• If you are interested in participating, please complete the following survey: Access the survey here.

Focus Groups and Interviews

In mid to late April, we are running 45-minute focus groups or interviews.

• All participants will be entered into a draw for a $50 gift card for their time
• Light refreshments will also be provided for participants attending in person.
• If you’re interested in participating, please register your interest: Sign up for a focus group here.

If you feel this research topic is important, please consider sending the survey link or focus group invitation to others who you believe may be interested.

• This project has been approved by the Monash University Human Research Ethics Committee, project ID: 41230 Human-centred design to improve work-integrated learning for students with a disability.
• If you have further questions, please contact Dr Rosemarie Herbert (Chief Investigator) via email: rosemarie.herbert@monash.edu

The Unbreakable Spirit of Kai Sakakibara

*From a news.com.au article by Amy Marnie

Kai Sakakibara’s life took a dramatic turn in February 2020. Four years on, he finds new hope in para-rowing, aiming for the 2028 Paralympics.

“No one wants to get a traumatic brain injury,” Kai Sakakibara says. “That’s not how it works. But when it happens, it can change your life completely.”

In February 2020, the then 23-year-old BMX champion suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) during a World Cup race in Bathurst, a crash that halted his Olympic aspirations but also changed his life forever.

“My parents didn’t even know if I would wake up or not,” Sakakibara says. Fortunately, he did.

Today, Sakakibara lives with the permanent effects of TBI, facing challenges like fatigue, motor skills and difficulty following complex conversations.

Sakakibara’s dad, Martin, says he tackles his brain injury with the same mindset he honed as a professional athlete.

“He focuses on progressing one step at a time, concentrating on aspects within his control, and striving to make every day a bit better than the one before,” he says.

It’s estimated that around 200,000 Australians suffer a TBI every year, with mild TBI or concussion making up about 170,000 of these cases.

TBI doesn’t affect discriminate and can happen to anyone. The most common causes of concussion are falls, car accidents, interpersonal violence, workplace accidents and sports.

Today, Sakakibara has shifted his focus to a different Olympic dream.

While he can’t race bikes, he discovered a passion for para-rowing at Paralympics Australia’s ‘Come and Try Day’ and aims to compete at the Paralympics in 2028.

• You can read the full article here

Policy Futures Graduate Program – Applications are Closing Soon!

Applications for the 2025 Policy Futures Graduate Program are still open and close at 9am on Monday 22 April 2024.

Policy Futures offers a specific career pathway for candidates with a disability.

Information about the Policy Futures Graduate Program and how to apply can be found on the QLD Government website.

• If you have any questions about the program, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the team via email at policyfuturesgraduaterecruitment@premiers.qld.gov.au

Call for Submissions: Review of WWW Advisory Note

The Australian Human Rights Commission is updating its Disability Discrimination Act Web Advisory Note.

The existing version, released in 2014 and is being updated to reflect changes in technology, its role within society, as well as national and international standards and policies that define how technology provides equitable or equal access for people with disability.

The purpose of the document is to guide people and organisations to make their websites and other web resources accessible to as many people as possible, including people with disability.

The review will bring the document in line with contemporary digital environment and practices. As such, it will extend the advice to encompass digital accessibility across a wide range of platforms beyond websites and web-based content.

An updated draft of the WWW Advisory Note is currently available for comment and input from individuals and organisations with relevant background and expertise in digital accessibility and lived experience of disability.

• Submissions close on 27 April 2024.

International Student Careers Summit – Navigate, Network, and Succeed

Are you ready to unlock your potential and excel in the Australian job market?

We’re thrilled to invite you to participate in the International Student Careers Summit, scheduled from April 15 to April 18, 2024.

Tailored specifically for international students, this comprehensive four-day initiative is designed to equip participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate and succeed in the Australian job market.

Through interactive workshops, insightful panel discussions, and networking opportunities with industry experts, you will gain valuable insights and resources to kickstart your career journey.

The flagship event of the summit is a hackathon, the Global Impact Challenge – a dynamic half-day filled with ideation, pitching and networking. A great way to develop essential employability skills, entrepreneurial capabilities and meaningful connections.

Event Details

• Date: April 15 – April 18, 2024
• Location: Clayton campus, Caulfield campus, and online
• To view a full event schedule and register, visit International Student Careers Summit.

Policy Futures Graduate Program – Applications Now Open!

Applications are now open – 2025 Policy Futures Graduate Program

• Applications for the 2025 Policy Futures Graduate program are now open and close at 9am Monday 22 April 2024.

Our program is open to graduates from all degrees and disciplines who have graduated or will graduate between 31 October 2022 and 31 January 2025.

• Policy Futures also offers a specific career pathway for candidates with a disability.

We will be hosting information sessions for candidates where we will share more information about our program, run through the application process and provide information on each phase of the recruitment process. Further information and session dates are available on Humanitix.

• We’re recruiting early again this year, so want to make sure no one misses out on applying!
• Detailed information about our program can be found on our website.

If you are interested in working with us, please contact the team via email at policyfuturesgraduaterecruitment@premiers.qld.gov.au

Kind regards,
The Policy Futures Graduate Team

The Transport Standards are Changing!

Recently, the Hon Catherine King MP, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government announced the Australian Government is reforming the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport 2002 (Transport Standards).

The reforms aim to improve accessibility across the whole public transport journey, including the training of public transport staff to better meet the needs of people with disability and making it easier to find and understand information to plan your trip.

The reforms will also aim to improve accessibility at stops and stations, making it easier to get on and off while ensuring safety and amenity on board public transport services.

Transport Standards Reform Process

More than 500 participants took part in a range of consultation events and activities including surveys, webinars, focus groups and written submissions during the reform process and the Australian Government thanks everyone who engaged.

A summary document outlining the reform process and 76 reform areas is available, including in Easy English, Auslan and languages other than English. The full Decision Regulation Impact Statements for both stages of reform are also available.

The Transport Standards will be amended to reflect the new legal requirements that public transport operators and providers will need to meet.

More information will be available to users and operators and providers of public transport in the lead up to the updated Transport Standards coming into effect.

• You can keep up to date by visiting our website, emailing us at DisabilityTransport@infrastructure.gov.au or calling 1800 621 372.

Kind regards
Disability and Transport Standards team