Some of Our Parts

Launch: Accessible ICT procurement in Higher Education

ADCET and the NDCO Program in partnership with an expert advisory panel and Intopia have developed an implementation guide which will provide universities with practical guidance about procuring ICT products and services with accessibility as an essential criterion.

The guide will be incorporated by the Council of Australasian University Directors of Information Technology (CAUDIT) as a part of the suite of strategic procurement guidance they provide to universities.

How To Adopt Relevant Standards

The resource focuses on demonstrating how to adopt relevant standards – AS EN 301 549 and WCAG 2.1 in procurement policies, procedures, and practice, with a view to building a more accessible future by design in Higher Education.

This shift toward buying ICT products and services that all staff and students can use is an extremely positive step universities can take to reduce the number of barriers encountered by people with disability and create welcoming and accessible education and work experiences, by design.

• You can attend the launch on 21 Oct 2022 11:00 am – 12:00 pm

Understanding ADHD – You’re Invited!

Next Month is Deaf Awareness Month!

*From #AiMedia

September is an important month in the d/Deaf community.

Not only is Deaf Awareness Month celebrated, but also International Week of Deaf People from 19-25 September and World Deaf Day on 27 September.

These are occasions to celebrate the d/Deaf community, educate about deafness, and advocate for accessibility in everyday life.

Tips for Being Deaf-Aware: Part 1

Understand the spectrum of deafness, learn more about Deaf culture, and get Ai Media’s top deaf communication tips.

Read more

Tips for Being Deaf-Aware: Part 2

In Ai Media’s second article on being deaf aware, they explore how to communicate when an interpreter is present, learning signs, words to use (and not use), and more.

Read more

Net Zero Precincts Project – You Are Invited to Participate

Net Zero Precincts: an Interdisciplinary Approach to Decarbonising Cities

• Do you live, work or study in the Monash area?
• Are you passionate about sustainability?
• Are you wondering how the community can have a greater say in creating a net zero future?

If so, then you might consider participating in this innovative research project that aims to help Monash residents, business and government reach net zero emissions.

Deaf participants are Welcome to Participate in the Net Zero Precincts Project

The study aims to ground the grand plans to decarbonise the Monash Clayton campus by 2050 with the everyday experiences of those who live, work and study there.

Often in these types of transition periods and new technologies, the experiences of those who are deaf and blind are left out.

Dr Emma Quilty, research fellow in the Faculty of IT, is based in the Emerging Technologies Research Lab, and would very much like to include perspectives of students who are deaf, blind, or with other disabilities, particularly around how they experience life on campus and how they imagine Net Zero futures.

Participating in an interview with Emma would involve about an hour of your time, with no preparation required on your part.

Join us for a walking interview of the Monash Net Zero Precinct.

• Please contact: Dr Emma Quilty, emma.quilty@monash.edu to register your interest.

Current News and Events from Soundfair’s Latest Online News

The Soundfair Social

• Find other hard of hearing and D/deaf people to have enjoyable, meaningful conversations with online: https://events.humanitix.com/soundfair-social

Applications of CBT for audiology

There are many conversations that can be difficult to navigate within audiology.

• How do I respond when a person is upset, angry or anxious?
• What do I say when a person thinks a hearing aid will make them look old?
• How can I support a person struggling to adjust to their hearing loss or hearing device?

The cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) course has been endorsed for 20 CPD points and provides the knowledge, skills, and confidence to use counselling skills and CBT to talk about social and emotional concerns with clients at any stage of their hearing healthcare. Find out more and enroll now:

https://soundfairaustralia.thinkific.com/courses/applications-of-cbt-for-audiology

Communication and Inclusion Program

This course takes the learner through the fundamentals of hearing and hearing conditions, their impacts and what we can do to live well with hearing conditions.

Find out more and enroll now:

https://soundfairaustralia.thinkific.com/courses/hearing-conditions-communication-and-inclusion-program

The SOUNDFAIR Clinic and Hearing Centre

Our connection coach model

Hearing conditions are as diverse as the individuals who experience them.

A Soundfair Connection Coach can help you navigate the hearing system, explore the impacts of your hearing condition on you as a whole person and across all areas of your life, and help you create an action plan for hearing and wellbeing success.

Book an appointment today: https://soundfair.org.au/hearingcentre/book-an-appointment/

Soundfair’s Hearing Bank

A pair of hearing aids purchased through the private market ranges from $5,000 to $10,000 and Federal Government funding for hearing aids is limited, leaving many people to struggle with hearing conditions on their own. 

The Soundfair Hearing Bank offers holistic support and training for people with hearing conditions before sending them home with their recycled hearing aid. Learn more: https://soundfair.org.au/community-projects/hearing-bank/

Call for Participants: ‘Walk, Talk and Listen over Zoom’ 

‘Walk, Talk and Listen over Zoom’ combines social connection, exercise and group‐based hearing rehabilitation for older Australians with hearing loss to reduce loneliness and social isolation while also improving hearing and physical health.

We are looking for adults aged 50 years and over to participate in this 10-week, evidence-based program that will be hosted online via Zoom. For more information please contact Mimansa Thakore at mimansa.thakore@mq.edu.au or on (02) 9850 8753.

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)

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.

AUSLAN Interpreted Theatre Performance on Clayton Campus

Monash Uni Student Theatre (MUST) are thrilled to be presenting an AUSLAN interpreted performance on campus next month – Friday May 6 2022!

MUST are presenting the first full-scale Melbourne production of Kill Climate Deniers, a riotous black comedy by David Finnigan;

“…one of the most daring and important plays of the decade.” (Pleasance Theatre, UK).

Part action-movie, part documentary, part manic farce and part rave; KCD marries madcap satire with deeply urgent conversations about our future – all accompanied by a pumping techno soundtrack!

As Fleetwood Mac take to the stage in our nation’s capital, armed eco-terrorists storm the building and take the government hostage, threatening to kill them unless Australia ends climate change. Tonight!

Now beleaguered Environment Minister Gwen Malkin has no choice but to grab a gun and stand up for her ideals – one terrorist at a time.

• Directed by Yvonne Virsik
• Venue: The Alexander Theatre, 48 Exhibition Walk, Monash University, CLAYTON
• Season: May 5 – 7, AUSLAN interpreted performance May 6, 7.30pm
• Tickets ON SALE NOW: msa.monash.edu/kcd
• Run time: 90 minutes, no interval

Through the Employers Lens – A Free Online Event for Businesses!

When: Thursday 21st April at 2pm AEST

• Learn about funding and other assistance that is available to employers to cover the costs of employing staff with disability
• Hear from management at the ABC about their experience with employing staff who are blind or vision impaired
• Hear from employees who are blind or vision impaired about how they work and how they have managed to make their work environment safe.
• Learn how your business can become more diverse and inclusive.

Register now via this link  

• If you have any questions or would like more information, please call Blind Citizens Australia on 1800 033 660 or email cheryl.gration@bca.org.au