Some of Our Parts

Disability Representation, Access and Inclusion within Performing Arts

The Sir Zelman Cowen School of Music and Performance Critical Performance Studies Stream announces:

A Forum on Disability Representation, Access and Inclusion  within the Performing Arts Industry

A 90 min open forum on disability representation, access and inclusion within the performing arts industry with a focus on lived experience.

This forum will be moderated by disability arts organisation, Loom Arts and Management, with a panel of some of Melbourne’s most exciting performers with disability.

We extend an invitation to ALL interested Monash students and staff and members of the public to join us in this important and engaging discussion.

• Wednesday 20th October 1 – 2.30pm
• Zoom Link: https://monash.zoom.us/j/82613263836(609990)

The forum will be facilitated by Zoe Boesen and Hannah Reekie from LOOM Arts and Management.

The Panel

• Rima Hadchiti (she/her), whose practise spans acting, performance art, Middle Eastern and contemporary dance, burlesque, cabaret, and aerial work. Rima has performed for MTC, Circus Oz, Dark Mofo and for the past four years has been touring with Cirque Du Soleil. Rima is a person of short stature.
• Andrew Tresidder (he/him) who is an actor and film critic. Andy is agraduate of Ignition Theatre at Melbourne Polytechnic and a member of Rollercoaster Theatre’s ensemble. Andy has performed in multiple productions including short film Comican’t for which he won Best Actor at Tropfest 2019. Andy has lived experience of disability.
• Artemis Muñoz (they/them) is a prolific cabaret performer,writer, and actor. Artemis is soon to complete a Masters in Writing for Theatre At VCA. Artemis is currently developing their solo cabaret show “Artemis: Utter Mess” which explores their intersecting identities and societal labels. Artemis is neurodivergent, gender non-binary, aspec (asexual) and bi-racial.
• Kate Hood (she/her),actor, writer, activist with 37 years of experience within the industry. Kate Performed in a long standing role on season 8 of Prisoner as Kath Maxwell. Once Kate began using a wheelchair her job prospects drastically changed. Kate is a well known advocate within the disability arts community, Artistic Director and founder of disability-led theatre company, Raspberry Ripple, and remains an exceptional actor.
• Dr Melinda Smith (she/her) is a dancer, aerial performer, visual artist, mentor and lecturer with lived experience of Cerebral Palsy. Melinda has been awarded an Order of Australia Medal, and an honorary Doctorate from Deakin University for her outstanding contribution to the arts and inclusion for people with disability.

*This forum is supported by Monash University Performing Arts Centres funding.

• For more information contact Felix Nobis <Felix.Nobis@monash.edu>

GradWISE Celebrate an Incredible Year of Graduate Outcomes and Partnership with Monash!

Through the extraordinary circumstances of COVID-19, GradWISE students and graduates have demonstrated agility and resilience in what has been a year of transformation during 2021.

Are You Thinking About Your Graduate Career?

On the back of the great success achieved in 2021, GradWISE look ahead to a new year and look forward to helping you shape your future careers.

Through one-on-one, group and online services, GradWISE will give you the skills, assistance and industry exposure you need in finding your perfect graduate or entry level role.

GradWISE Information Session

Join the GradWISE team for an information session to learn about the award winning program and supports available to students and graduates living with a disability, injury or illness in securing sustainable employment in their field of study.

• Register here to save the date: Wednesday 24 November 2021 at 11am AEDT

DSS Committed to Creating Better DES Model

The Department of Social Services (DSS) is committed to creating a disability employment services model that better serves jobseekers with disability, service providers and employers.

Have your say through either or both of the below channels.

Complete the Survey

To support in this reform, PwC has been engaged by DSS to seek input from a wide range of stakeholders including employers, service providers and jobseekers to understand experiences, expectations and what is important to you in the disability employment services.

The survey should only take 10 minutes or less and responses will be anonymised and completely confidential.

If you are an employer or an employee of an organisation, PwC wants to hear from you.

• Have your say in the survey by 15 October.

Provide Feedback at AND Workshops

Australian Network on Disability will be representing the voice of our network at the Disability Employment Services reform.

• Join one of our virtual workshops to discuss the DES reform and the consultation paper released by DSS

AWETISM 2021 Virtual Expo

AWETISM 2021 is Australia’s biggest Autistic youth event also delivering free training for industry professionals.

A range of substantive content which will be shared at I Can Network’s free AWETISM 2021 Virtual Expo on Friday 12th of November 2021.

*Content will be available for an additional month, until the 12th of December to anyone who registers.

• Register for AWETISM 2021

Training For Educators

For educators who are keen to understand their Autistic students better and accrue hours toward Teacher Identified Professional Development/Learning, there are two sessions of interest:

1) Insights for Teachers from an All-Autistic Panel – 12:30pm – 1:30pm AEDT.

Due to popular demand we are screening an exclusive replay from our 2020 AWETISM Expo in our I CAN SCHOOLS Auditorium which features the below speakers.

• Dr Emma Goodall – Autistic Autism Researcher, Author and Education Specialist.
• Lana Wheatfill – Former I CAN Mentee, now I CAN Mentor.
• Kate Andrews – Parent, Educator & I CAN Northern Victoria Regional Manager.

The panel explore key topics to support Autistic students, including:

• Supporting anxious students & those with PDA/demand avoidant profiles.
• Interoception.
• Accommodations which make a difference.
• Building a school-home partnership to support student wellbeing.

2) Understanding & Empowering Your Autistic Students – 4.00pm – 5.00pm AEDT. 

• Chris Varney – I CAN Chief Enabler & Founder.
• Kate Andrews – Parent, Educator & I CAN Northern Victoria Regional Manager.
• Tim Chan – Author & I CAN Ambassador.
• Ayesha Carson, Caitlin Downie-Kempson, Kyal Kay & Sam Rose – I CAN Mentors.

Topics will include:

• Creating a sense of safety and acceptance for your Autistic students.
• Leveraging Autistic passions to enhance connection and engagement.
• Nurturing strengths and positive identity.
• Respectful, effective support for students with higher support requirements.
• Insights from multiply neurodivergent (e.g. Autistic + ADHD, Dyslexia) students.
• Register for AWETISM 2021

Autistic LGBTIA+ Young People

There is a significant overlap between the Autistic and LGBTIQA+ communities.

As part of our ongoing leadership in providing youth-informed resources, we are offering a free training session during our AWETISM Expo for adults who are keen to provide more meaningful support to Autistic LGBTIQA+ young people.

The training will be held in the I CAN SCHOOLS Auditorium – 3:00pm – 4:00pm AEDT, 12th November. 

Leading the training will be Sam Rose, an I CAN Mentor who runs our online groups for Autistic LGBTIQA+ young people and is co-author with Yenn Purkis of an upcoming book for Autistic trans teens.

The training content is heavily shaped by the insights of our 70+ youth collaborators across Australia on what they need to feel safe, accepted and validated.

Topics include:

• What Autistic LGBTIQA+ young people want you to know.
• Understanding Autism and neurodiversity.
• Understanding gender diversity.
• Navigating pronouns and respectful language.
• Appreciating and accommodating sensory, social & communication differences.
• Creating safe and inclusive spaces.
• Nurturing positive identity.
• How to find respectful resources & support…and more!
• This training session was created with funding by the Victorian Government under the Healthy Equal Youth (HEY) program.

To learn more about our work in this important arena, including our mentoring programs and recently released tips & resources (3 sets) for Autistic LGBTIQA+ young people, the adults who support them and service providers, respectively, please see our website: AUTISTIC LGBTIQA 

• Register for AWETISM 2021

Request for Participants for Research into Accessible SVG Floor Plans

A research team from the Faculty of Information Technology, Monash University are looking for people who are colour blind, have low vision, have a motor impairment or dyslexia to use a new indoor floor plan navigation tool.

This study seeks to understand the users’ experience in exploring adaptive floor plans that gets adapted to fit users’ particular vision or reading difficulties.

During the study, questions will be asked to understand their prior experience with floor plans.

The research team will introduce the adaptive floor plan via a website and will request participants to explore 2 floor plans.

They will ask participants to perform some general way finding tasks and will obtain your feedback on overall user experience.

The user studies will take 30‐45 minutes.

• Please click here for a copy of the Ethics Statement.

Due to the COVID‐19 pandemic, this study will be done through the Zoom video conferencing platform.

Target users include people who experience:

• Dyslexia
• Colour vision impairment
• Low vision
• Movement impairment (wheelchair, scooter, cane, or crutch users)

Explanatory Statement and Consent Form

Once you contact the research team, they will send you the Explanatory Statement and the Consent Form in an email to provide you all the details about the project and your involvement.

If you are comfortable with your participation, reply to the email by stating that you consent to participate in this research project, and return the filled Consent form either electronically or by mail.

For more information, or to apply as a participant in this important research project, please contact Desmond Lau, Faculty of Information Technology, Monash University

• Email: dlau0004@student.monash.edu

An Accessible and Inclusive Space for Those Who Want to Get Vaccinated

Expression Australia is partnering with Healthcare Australia to provide an accessible and inclusive space for those who want to get vaccinated.

On the dates below, there will be a pop-up COVID-19 vaccination clinic available at the Expression Australia East Melbourne office for clients, members of the community, and staff, should they want to receive a COVID-19 vaccination (Pfizer).

Level 3/340 Albert St, East Melbourne VIC 3002

First and/or second dose:

• Friday 8th October

Follow up second dose:

• Thursday 28th October
• Friday 29th October

The vaccines will be provided by Healthcare Australia (first and/or second dose) with qualified nurses and support staff.

If you do want to attend the pop-up clinic and receive the vaccine you must make a booking. Bookings can be made via linke below.

Book for Your Vaccine NOW!

• For further information on COVID-19 Vaccinations, please refer to https://www.health.gov.au/initiatives-and-programs/covid-19-vaccines/covid-19-vaccine-information-in-your-languag

Department of Social Services (DSS) – Reforming Disability Employment Services

The Department of Social Services (DSS) is interested in reforming disability employment services to improve supports for people with disability to find and keep a job.

DSS is also looking for ways to better support employers that hire people with disability.

The reform process is due to complete in 2022 with the view to implement the new model in early 2023.

DSS has contracted PriceWaterhouseCoopers, an independent consulting group, to consult with people with disability and their carers, support workers, as well as employers and employment service providers.

•   Your participation will help with understanding what makes a good and bad experience.

New Disability Employment Service System

DSS will use the results of the consultations sessions to inform the design of a new disability employment service system.

People with disabilities can be involved by having conversations with PwC (consultations) and by recording and answering questions about activities linked to looking for and keeping a job (ethnography).

• You will receive a $100 gift card for your time and insights for consultations.
• Participants recruited for Ethnography research will receive another $100 gift card.

If you would like to participate or have any further questions, please contact Michael Dobbie at michael.dobbie@pwc.com or call directly on 0423 228 336.

AWETISM 2021 – Register Now!

A cornerstone at I CAN Network is the importance of celebrating Autistic interests and strengths.

With that in mind, I CAN are very excited to announce that registrations have opened for their AWETISM 2021 Virtual Expo, scheduled for Friday, 12th November.

Many of you joined I CAN Network for last year’s spectacular virtual event, and they hope you will join them again this year!

Register Now!

Join Australia’s biggest Autistic Youth-Oriented Event

Now in its seventh year, I CAN’s AWETISM Expo is Australia’s biggest Autistic youth-oriented event and showcases the awe-inspiring passions, talents and strengths of Autistic young people.

As with last year’s event, this year’s Expo will be an all-day, virtual event that is free and open to all ages across Australia and worldwide.

Participants will be able to choose where, when and how they engage on the day.

Especially in these challenging times, it can be so valuable to offer opportunities for connection and support.

So in addition to showcasing the talents and interests of Autistic young people, this year’s Expo will have a special focus on supporting the mental health needs of Autistic students and the family unit with resources, encouragement and support from I CAN Network’s team and partner organisations.

This Absolutely Awesome Event Will Include

• 82 I CAN School® Programs Featured.
• 10 I CAN Online Interest Group Webinars & Live Q&A’s.
• 20 Exhibition Booths: Featuring Specialist Sponsors & Partners.
• All Day Specialist Presentations including I CAN Student Talks.
• Lounge Area for Interactive Support Workshops.
• Employment Pathways & Opportunities.
• A Scavenger Hunt – Find the “Quokka” to win!
• Quizzes, Surveys & All Day Live Chat.
• A Leaderboard Challenge with Prizes.
• Take-home Resources

Once you register, you will be given your own personal Login In details to access the event from your computer, tablet or phone.

You will be able to choose which sessions you attend, areas you explore and people you interact with.

Each session will be supervised by qualified I CAN Ltd staff.

I CAN Network hopes you will join them!

Register Now!

Diversity and Inclusion Week is here!

Diversity and Inclusion Week started today.

Have You Registered for An Online Event?

If not, there’s still time!

There’s plenty of great events still available.

Such as:

• Women in Leadership Panel 
• Inclusive Communities
• Queer Industry Panel
• What Do You Know About Race and Racism,
• And many more!

Disability-Specific Events:

• Disability in the Legal Profession – Panel Discussion
• 50 Shades of Bias
• Autism – a Personal Perspective
• Beyond braille: Inclusive tech for a fairer world 
• Understanding Autism
• Supporting Students with Disability

See you there!

2021 Students with a Disability Super Fair!

You’re invited!

TUESDAY, 28TH SEPTEMBER 2021

• 2:00PM to 4:00PM in NSW, QLD, ACT, VIC & TAS
• 1:30PM to 3:30PM in SA & NT | 12:00PM to 2:00PM in WA

Who is this for?

The Students with a Disability Super Fair is for all students studying any degrees wanting to discover employers who have either a dedicated graduate program for students with a disability or offer otherwise attractive and inclusive opportunities.

• Register NOW!

How does it work?

This is an interactive virtual career fair designed to help you learn about graduate job and internship opportunities you can apply for.

The fair is conducted via video conference and split into two parts.

Who will I meet?

We’ve invited some of Australia’s best graduate employers to meet with you and share what a future working with them looks like.

• See All Exhibitors

Why should I attend?

Applying for graduate jobs is a bit like sitting your final exams; the lecturer usually gives away some handy tips in the final class!

• Don’t make the mistake of submitting job applications blind.

Attend this event to meet the employers you already know about, discover new ones, and find out what recruiters are looking for in your job applications.

• Register NOW!