Some of Our Parts

Call for Participation: Inclusive Data Visualization Design Study at Monash University

• Do you want to help make data visualisation (i.e., chart and graphs) more inclusive and easier to use?

Our study is all about creating data tools that are universally accessible, with a special focus on the autistic community.

Our aim is to find out what kinds of visuals and ways of showing data to help people understand and use information better in their everyday lives and jobs.

What is Involved in This Study?

• We’re looking for Monash students who are 18 or older, and diagnosed with autism or if you’ve self-diagnosed, to join our study.
• You’ll start by answering some questions about your demographic and how you use data visuals. It will take approximately 10 minutes.
• Then, you’ll take part in two phases of the study, where you’ll look at different data visuals and complete web-based tasks.
• After each phase, we’ll discuss your experiences with you. Both user-study and interview will take approximately 120-150 minutes.

We really want to make sure this study works for you, so please tell us if there’s anything we can do to make it better for you!

Participant Appreciation

As a big thank you for your time, you’ll get an AUD $50 voucher for groceries.

Eligibility Criteria

• Must be 18 years of age or older.
• Must have a diagnosis of autism, or self- diagnosed.

Interested in Participating?

• To take part in this important study, please follow this link.

REGISTER NOW!

*This project has Monash University Human Research Ethics Committee approval – Project ID: 41238

Unzip Our Voices: Exploring Diversity in Communication at Monash

Do you ever feel that your voice is zipped up and there’s no way to express yourself at the right time or in the right way?

At the Monash Assistive Technology and Society (MATS) Centre, we are doing interdisciplinary research for and with university students in Australia who are at risk of marginalisation and exclusion because they communicate differently. These differences may arise from disabilities, neurodiversity, and native languages/cultures.

In such situations, information can be exchanged without or alongside speech via augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). You might not be familiar with this term, but you may already be using various forms of AAC even if your tutor/supervisor isn’t aware of it!

Conventionally, AAC includes systems, approaches and practices like Auslan, communication boards, whiteboards, text-to-voice engines, email/texting, and subtitling.

More broadly, for multilingual/international students, it may just involve using everyday mobile apps like Google Translate, Otter.ai, or ChatGPT so you can understand better in English.

You Are Invited to Participate in Our Survey

We need your help to understand what kind of AAC you regularly use to address your communication needs at Monash, how you feel about using it, and what you think can be done to make Monash a more inclusive place through AAC.

To work towards this goal, we are inviting you to participate in a 15 to 30-minute online survey.

In return, you will gain a renewed sense of purpose – something greater than your past exams – because you know how your experience, when heard by the right people, could help redefine inclusion in academia.

Join us in unzipping our diverse voices together, along with our pride (or frustration) in being different!

CLICK HERE TO PARTICIPATE

• Please note this is part of my PhD research project. If you are interested and leave your email address in the survey, I may contact you for further collaboration.
• If you have any further questions or need assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact me on jing.hu@monash.edu.

The Monash Guarantee/SEAS Testimonial Opportunity

The University’s marketing team is hoping to showcase some of our students who may have benefited from the Monash Guarantee or Special Entry Access Scheme (SEAS).

We’re sharing this opportunity to see if you would be interested in sharing your story.

This opportunity is open to domestic, undergraduate students who have a WAM of 60 or higher who feel they have benefited from SEAS or the Monash Guarantee. If you need a reminder of what is covered in SEAS and the Monash Guarantee see our website.

• Your registration with DSS will remain confidential and you don’t need to disclose your disability or medical condition if you don’t want to or do not feel comfortable.

What’s In It For You

If you’re interested, we’ll send you some questions about how Monash Guarantee or SEAS has helped you to achieve your aspirations. We may also ask about extracurricular activities you’ve enjoyed as a student.

• We’re able to provide a $50 gift card for your time!

What’s Next

If you’d like to participate, you will need to consent to the use of your image and a quote to be used for marketing purposes by the University to highlight the positive outcomes of these opportunities.

It’s possible that the story may be picked up by a news outlet, and if this happens you may be asked for an interview, but this is not guaranteed, and you would be free to decline the opportunity.

If you’re interested, could you please email Susan Newland (details are below) By Friday June 28th.

• Susan Newland
• Senior Coordinator, Projects and Development, Access Inclusion and Success
• Susan.Newland@monash.edu

Mindful May Events hosted by Counselling and Psychological Services Caulfield

The Counselling and Psychological Services team at Caulfield Campus is running a series of drop-in mindfulness sessions over the next 3 weeks as part of Mindful May.

Mindfulness of eating/Mindfulness of thoughts

• Date: Tuesday 14 May
• Time: 12pm- 1pm
• Venue: K105 Caulfield
• Description: This session will involve 2 mindful exercises to cultivate present moment awareness of our eating, and our thoughts.
• No registration required.

Mindfulness of the senses

• Date: Tuesday 21 May
• Time: 11am- 11:45am
• Venue: K105 Caulfield
• Description: In this session we will explore using our five senses of sight, hearing, touch, taste and smell to gently guide our awareness and attention to the present moment.
• No registration required.

Lunchtime mindful movement (online chair yoga)

• Date: Tuesday 28 May
• Time: 1-1:45pm
• Description: This chair yoga session combines yoga-based movements, breath practices, meditation, self-massage and psychoeducation. It aims to increase body awareness, reduce stress and enhance wellbeing.
• Registration required via link.

SMRC Open Day at Dingley Village Neighbourhood Centre

Southern Migrant and Resource Centre (SMRC) is happy to invite you to their Open Day at Dingley Village Neighbourhood House to showcase their services they offer to people born overseas and their carers.

SMRC staff will be available for those who need information and assistance in accessing services and aged care systems.

A variety of sessions will be available throughout the day such as:

• Tai Chi
• Dance class
• Horticultural information session
• Potting class and more!
• Refreshments available

Where: 31B Marcus Rd, Dingley Village.

When: Friday 24 May 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

For more information visit:

• Dingley Village Neighbourhood Centre
• or call SMRC on 9767 1900 or
• E: smrc@smrc.org.au
• www.smrc.org.au

Join Career Connect for Explore Week (11-15 March)

• Are you uncertain about your career direction?
• Would you like to discover ways to explore the diverse options available to you?

Enhance your career planning skills and delve into various career pathways during the upcoming Explore Week series, scheduled from Monday, March 11th, to Friday, March 15th.

Throughout this series, you’ll assess your career preferences, gain insights into different career paths and opportunities, and access a range of career tools and resources that will empower you to make informed decisions and strategically plan your future.

For those who have envisioned being their own boss or innovating in a start-up, The Generator will host a panel of professionals who have integrated entrepreneurship into their careers.

Or if you’re in the process of charting a course towards a career change, join us for an alumni panel where our panellists will share their personal journeys of career evolution.

Crafting a Career is Something That Doesn’t Need to Wait

To view the full program and to register, click here.

• Don’t forget to check out the extra offers and prizes!

Should you have any questions, feel free to contact us at: careerconnect.students@monash.edu.

Future Reset – Maker Space – Free Art Workshops for Deaf and Disabled People

Arts Access Victoria are running a year of FREE creative workshops!

Future Reset – Maker Space is a year of free in person and online visual and digital arts workshops.

• Future Reset – Maker Space is for young Deaf and Disabled people aged 18 – 25 who live in Victoria.

Beginners welcome!

This is a safe space for making art, socialising and creating community with your peers.

Workshops in visual and digital arts, professional development and free studio time, led by Deaf and Disabled artists.

• All workshops are Auslan interpreted.

Join us in person on Saturdays in Melbourne CBD, and online on Wednesday evenings.

Make 2024 your year of creativity and meeting new people.

• Book your free place in the workshops on the Arts Access Victoria website.

Social Anxiety Programs for Students in 2024

During first semester in 2024 there will be two Social Anxiety Group Programs and another group program targeting students with academic performance anxiety called ‘Performing at your Peak at Uni’.

Social Anxiety Group Program (students only)

Social anxiety involves significant fear or avoidance of one or more social situations. Social anxiety is a prevalent issue and can be disruptive to day-to-day life.

This is a cognitive behavioural program that’s designed to treat social anxiety.

The sessions will be facilitated by Dr Sophia Gozzi, Clinical Psychologist.

The program will run for eight sessions on Wednesdays, from 13 March until 8 May (excluding 3 April)

Two options are available at Clayton:

• Group A (11am – 1pm)
• Group B (2–4pm)
• Groups comprise a maximum of eight participants.
• This program is open only to Monash students and is free of charge.
• Register your interest here

Performing at Your Peak at Uni (students only)

Many students experience significant anxiety in academic performance situations and excessively worry about being judged negatively.

This can often lead to avoidance of performance situations such as contributing in tutorials, asking a lecturer a question, as well as attending team meetings, networking events and job interviews.

Productivity can also be hampered when anxiety leads to delays in submitting assignments or excessive time spent perfecting documents. In some instances, tasks are not avoided but students spend considerable time worrying about the upcoming task or ruminating about it afterwards.

This is a cognitive behavioural program that’s designed to target academic and career performance anxiety:

• The sessions will be facilitated by Dr Sophia Gozzi and Dr Emily Prytula, Clinical Psychologists
• The program will run for eight sessions on Mondays, from 18 March until 13 May (excluding 1 April), from 11am – 1pm
• Groups comprise of a maximum of 10 participants
• This program is open only to Monash students, and is free of charge.
• Register your interest here

Designing Wayfinding Sytems for People with Cognitive Impairment Study

• Are you a carer/support worker of individuals with cognitive impairment/intellectual disability/neurodiversity?

OR

• Are you a Health professional providing healthcare to individuals with cognitive impairment/intellectual disability/neurodiversity?

We seek your insights regarding the challenges and needs experienced by individuals with cognitive impairment when navigating maps.

This research initiative focuses on understanding the navigation challenges faced by individuals with cognitive impairments and aims to develop maps that cater to their unique needs.

We seek participants who provide crucial assistance to individuals facing cognitive challenges, including caregivers, support workers, and health professionals, to share their valuable insights and experiences. As a token of appreciation, we offer a $30 gift voucher for each participant.

Click here to register for the interview (40-60mins)!

• You will receive an AU$30 voucher for your participation!
• For more information contact: wei.wang5@monash.edu
• Study: “Maps for Cognitive Impaired “
• Chief Investigator: Dr Anuradha Madugalla
• Funding: Monash Assistive Technology and Society (MATS) SEED Fund
• This study is approved by the MUHREC of Monash University (protocol #40245)

MUSC All-Abilities Football Program – Expression of Interest

Monash University Soccer Club (MUSC) is asking for your interest in starting an All-Abilities Football Program for Monash students with a disability.

As a club MUSC would like to know if you may be interested in getting involved with a program like this as either a participant or a volunteer. We would love to create a program that is able to cater to the diverse needs of the Monash community, and that means that we need your input into what might interest you!

MUSC are hoping to add a program to the club in 2024, with the intention to grow and develop this space within the club going forward.

If you would like to be a part of this in any way, please complete the Expression of Interest Form.

• If you have any further queries about this, please don’t hesitate to contact MUSC via email at committee@monashunisoccer.org or through their social media pages.