Some of Our Parts

Department of Social Services 2025 Ability Apprenticeship Program

Want to start a rewarding career in the Australian Public Service?

Would you like the opportunity to play a role in helping improve the wellbeing of individuals and families in Australian communities?

Are you looking for a supportive workplace?

The Department of Social Services (the Department) 2025 Ability Apprenticeship Program is an employment entry program, open for applications from people living with disability.

It is designed to create pathways into secure, ongoing employment within the Department and the broader Australian Public Service (APS).

Employment in the 2025 Ability Apprenticeship Program is expected to commence in July 2025.

Participants working in the Department commence at the APS 3.1 classification with a starting salary from $69,553 per annum (full-time). Upon successful completion of all program requirements, at the end of the 12-month program, may advance to the APS 4.1 classification.

About the Ability Apprenticeship Program:

• the program is scheduled to start mid – 2025 for a duration of 12 months
• a rewarding introduction to working in government and being part of the Australian Government’s social policy agenda
• receive workplace learning and individualised flexible training, development and support options
• positions are mostly located in our National Office in Canberra, with some in other State offices
• the department will provide reasonable workplace adjustments to enable you to perform at your full capability
• as well as employment with the Department of Social Services, successful applicants may be offered a similar employment opportunity in another Australian Public Service agency.

Applicant Eligibility Requirements

• The positions in this program are specifically for people with disability
• Must be an Australian citizen
• Must be at least 18 years old

• Apply online: dss.gov.au/abilityprogram
• Applications close 17 December 2024
• For more information AbilityProgram@dss.gov.au

Welcome to the MATT Open Day!

• Friday, October 25 from 2 – 5pm
• 13 Rainforest Walk Clayton Campus

Hosted by the Monash Assistive Tech Team (MATT), this event highlights projects designed to improve the lives of underserved communities.

• Explore hands-on demonstrations, hear from students about their cutting-edge research, and connect with industry leaders, academics, and fellow students.

This is a unique opportunity to engage with impactful tech, discover collaboration opportunities, and learn how students are making a difference.

Whether you’re from the industry, a student, or faculty, we look forward to welcoming you to this exciting event!

• The event is open to all Monash students and staff.
• We will be showcasing 11 exciting accessibility-related projects that our team has been working on over the past couple of semesters, and this is a great opportunity for students and staff to connect around similar goals and topics. 
• To see a list of our projects, visit monatt.org

Please find the links to free tickets below:

• Monash Students
• Monash Staff

Peer-Researchers Required for a Research Project on Invisible Disabilities in Higher Education

Call for expressions of interest for Peer-Researchers for a Research Project on Invisible Disabilities in Higher Education

Project Title:

Enabling Equitable Learning Approaches for Students with Invisible Disabilities in Higher Education

About the Project

With funding support from the Australian Centre for Student Equity and Success (ACSES) Large Grant Scheme, this exciting research project aims to develop equitable learning approaches tailored specifically for students with invisible disabilities in higher education.

The goal is to ensure that educational environments are inclusive and supportive, recognising the unique challenges faced by students with invisible disabilities.

The aim is to employ two passionate and committed students currently enrolled in an Australian university who identify as having one or more invisible disabilities. This is a 120-day contract over a 12-month period at a rate commensurate with HEW level 5.

Role and Responsibilities

As a peer-researcher, you will:

• Collaborate on background research to inform the project’s direction.
• Co-design surveys, interviews, focus groups and workshops to understand the experiences of students with invisible disabilities and educators in higher education.
• Conduct (with support) interviews, focus groups and deliver collaborative workshops with the Chief Investigators of the project and industry partners.
• Assist in the delivery of workshops aimed at sharing research findings and engaging with the broader academic community.

Benefits

• Be part of a research team that values your input and treats you as a partner.
• Gain experience in academic research, including the design and execution of qualitative research design.
• Develop and enhance skills in qualitative and quantitative research methods, survey design, and workshop facilitation.
• Co-author publications that contribute to the academic field of higher education, disability studies, policy and/or law.
• Make a meaningful impact by contributing to the development of equitable learning approaches for students with invisible disabilities.

Eligibility

• Currently enrolled as a post-graduate or undergraduate student at an Australian university. (If undergraduate, preference will be given to students based at the University of Newcastle, NSW, to facilitate on-site mentoring and skill development and to ensure direct supervision and support)
• Identify as having an invisible disability.
• Demonstrated interest in disability studies, higher education, human rights law, policy or related fields.
• Strong written and oral communication and teamwork skills.
• Preference to be given to candidates who are available to commence work in mid-November 2024.

If you are interested in this opportunity, please submit an expression of interest by 8th November 2024 (Fri).

Your expression of interest should be no more than 500 words and include:

• Your reasons for wanting to join the research team and what you would hope to gain from the experience; and
• Your relevant skills and experience.

In addition to your expression of interest, please also provide:

• Your current academic status (i.e. your program and stage of study);
• A 1–2-page CV; and
• Your academic transcripts.

*Contact Information: For more information or to submit your application, please contact Dr. Stephenson Chow at Stephenson.chow@newcastle.edu.au and Dr Caitlin Mollica at Caitlin.mollica@newcastle.edu.au

(*Note: ‘Invisible disabilities’ is broadly defined to include any disability that may not be immediately noticeable to others, including physical, mental health, and neurological conditions.)

Researcher to Innovator Applications now OPEN!

See your research through a different lens.

The Generator’s Researcher to Innovator program is for Monash researchers, students and staff with a research idea and are interested in uncovering its commercial potential.

This online program promotes researchers at any stage of their career to understand the pathways available at Monash to create real-world impact.

You’ll be challenged to develop an ‘Inventor’s Identity’, understand your target market, define your competitive advantage, and sharpen your skills in communicating the value of your research with clarity and confidence.

• Applications are now open until 3rd November – apply here!

Ability Fest VIC 2024

Ability Fest is the first of its kind, promoting access and inclusion within the music industry, and proudly presented by the Dylan Alcott Foundation, Untitled Group & triple j.

It is a music festival designed for everyone to experience the magic of live music. It is a not-for-profit event, with all proceeds going directly to the Dylan Alcott Foundation to help empower young people with disability to achieve their ambitions.
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Celebrating their fifth edition, Ability Fest is opening up to ages 16+ to welcome more people than ever before!

In Victoria the festival is located at Naarm/Melbourne’s Alexandra Gardens/Birrarung Marr, an urban space embracing community with sweeping city skyline views and lush greenery.

You can expect all your usual festival amenities like delicious food & drink options, shaded retreats, unique experiences and unforgettable music performances across two stages.

Accessibility remains at the forefront of Ability Fest. The organisers have worked with their partners, Get Skilled Access, to implement the following features to ensure an inclusive and enjoyable environment for all music lovers:

• Auslan Interpreters
• Accessible Parking
• Accessible Drop Off & Pick Up Zones
• Accessible Bathrooms & Changing Places
• Elevated Viewing Platforms
• Bindi Maps – Navigation App
• Companion Card Accepted
• Friendly Volunteers to Assist
• Pathways & Flooring
• Assistance Dog Area
• Designated Chill Spaces & Sensory Zones
• Ear Plugs
• Tactile Sensory Silent Disco
• Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Initiative
• Free Wifi
• Live Captioning
• Access Liaison

Ability Fest was developed by Dylan Alcott, a four-time Paralympic gold medallist, 15-time Grand Slam champion, and the 2022 Australian of the Year, in collaboration with music festival masterminds Untitled Group, the creators of renowned music festivals including Beyond The Valley, and Wildlands.

Ability Fest uses the power of music to bring people together and help normalise disability whilst setting a standard for accessibility, inclusion and diversity at all events.

• For more information go to the Ability Fest website.

Accessible Audio-Only Game for People who are Blind

Hello, my name is El, and I am a video game developer and sound designer.

I also am a person with a disability and am passionate about accessibility and inclusion, especially in the video games industry. I am currently developing an audio-only game that is 100% blind accessible and would like to learn more about the gaming experiences of people who have vision impairment.

This is for all kinds of vision impairment – if your vision has impacted your ability to engage with video games, I want to talk to you! Even if that means you’ve tried it once and been turned off playing video games.

Additionally, if you are a carer for someone with vision impairment and have some insights to offer, I’d love to hear from you. I’m extremely interested in building on my knowledge of video game accessibility and learning from you in any way I can.

If you would like to have an online chat with me, please fill out this Google Form by clicking on this link or send me an email at el.leemann90@gmail.com. I’ll be in touch to organise a time with you.

Thank you for your interest,

El Leemann

*NOTE: This project is carried out in the individual’s personal capacity and is not associated with Monash University

IT Student AccessAbility Network – Are You Interested?

The Faculty of IT is aiming to establish a community network for and with IT students who experience chronic illness, neurodiversity, disability (including mental health), and/or impairment.

Although this network will initially be aimed at current IT students, we are hoping to expand this to STEM students once the network is established and if it is successful.

To that end, we are interested to see if you would firstly be interested in participating, and secondly, potentially being consulted in setting up in such a network.

Please Provide Your Expression of Interest Here

Thank you!

Mat Teubert (he/him)
Education Support Officer

Polio Awareness Month is This October 2024

As we mark Polio Awareness Month this October, we invite you to stand with the tens of thousands of people affected by polio across Australia who are living with the Late Effects of Polio (LEoP).

The theme, We’re Still Here, highlights the resilience of our community and the urgent need for specialised care for those living with post-polio conditions.

Polio Australia is committed to improving this situation. They offer education and resources to both health professionals and polio survivors to support the management of post-polio conditions.

This year, over 90 landmarks will be participating in their Polio Awareness Month illumination campaign to help raise awareness for all people affected by polio living in Australia.

• You can view a list of all confirmed landmarks illuminating orange here.

How You Can Support the Illumination Campaign

1. Contact local landmarks in your area – If you haven’t already, there might still be time to contact your local council, or a building or landmark in your city/town. There is a template you can copy and paste (make sure you fill in the parts in brackets!). You can find the template at this website. If it’s too late, ask them about next year! They typically light up the second week of the month.

2. Remind them! – If you’ve already sent out a letter or email and haven’t heard anything, why not give them a little nudge? You can forward your original email to them with a polite “in case you missed it” message, or perhaps give them a call.

3. Take photos! – If a landmark in your area is illuminating, check it out and take a photo to send to – office@polioaustralia.org.au. They would love to post it on our Polio Awareness Month website as well as their social media accounts.

Polio Awareness Month Events and Activities

There are many events to celebrate Polio Awareness Month and World Polio Day.

• You can find a list of events here and here.

Keep checking back, as these lists are continuously updated as we hear about more events. If you are aware of any other events in your area, email them at office@polioaustralia.org.au, and they will add them to their website.

• Don’t forget to wear orange on Monday, 7th October and join in for the monthly Zoom chat. They will snap a photo of everyone in their orange!
• If you’re on social media, you can change your profile picture and cover photos to promote Polio Awareness Month.
• Continue to use the hashtags #StillHere and #PolioAwarenessMonth to keep the campaign moving!

Thanks for helping us spread the word!

• Polio Australia Incorporated
• PO Box 2799, North Parramatta NSW 1750
• Phone: +61 3 9016 7678
• Email: office@polioaustralia.org.au
• Websites: www.poliohealth.org.au / www.polioaustralia.org.au

Accessible Theatre Workshop at Monash with Artist Jess

You are invited to attend a workshop for disabled artists and anyone curious about making accessible theatre, led by Jess Kapuscinski-Evans.

This workshop starts with a one-hour exploration and discussion of an existing theatre text, followed by a performance excerpt from The Waiting Room Arts Company’s new work 2050: a post-apocalyptic drama about Melbourne (Naarm) in the year 2050, exploring environment, disability and asking, “what does utopia mean to you?”

Jess Kapuscinski-Evans is a writer/performer and sings with “crip folk” trio the Bearbrass Asylum Orchestra. She is artistic director of The Waiting Room Arts Company and enjoys playing with existing texts and pop culture.

Jess is supported by Monash University Performing Arts Centres in the development of her new play, 2050.

• Where: David Li Sound Gallery, The Ian Potter Centre for Performing Arts
• When: Thursday 10 October 2024 11:00 am
• Tickets: $15 – $25
• For tickets go the Monash Performing Arts Centre Web Page

How Neurodivergent Creatives are Shaping Fashion’s Future

You can discover how neurodiversity fuels creativity and learn how the fashion industry can become more inclusive and neuro-affirming.

• Acclaimed author and advocate Sonny Jane Wise will delve into the world of neurodiversity, shedding light on common barriers faced by neurodivergent individuals. Gain valuable insights into how to support neurodivergent needs and what neurodiversity inclusion entails.

Hear from a compelling panel of neurodivergent fashion creatives including:

• Model and accessibility consultant Akii Ngo
• Creative marketer, producer and model Sean Galway
• Stylist and creative director Nathan Van

Through raw and honest discussions, they’ll share how their neurodiversity shapes their creative processes.

• Non-alcoholic drinks and nibbles will be provided.
• This event is Auslan interpreted and wheelchair accessible

Event Details

• Venue: Community Hub at the Dock
• Date: 26 October 2024
• Doors open: 6pm
• Keynote speaker: 6:30pm-7pm
• Keynote concludes: 7pm
• Panel: 7pm-7:45pm
• Networking till 8:30pm

This event is for you if:

• You’re curious about neurodiversity and its impact on creativity.
• You work in fashion and are committed to creating a more equitable environment.
• Tickets are available here, and if you use the code MFW2024 you will get a cheeky discount!