Some of Our Parts

How to Improve Digital Accessibility at Your Workplace

It’s vital to ensure that your organisation’s digital platforms are accessible to everyone.

This can help people with disability who are your employees, customers and external stakeholders.

NDRC Professional Advisor Rob Crestani shares tips on becoming digitally inclusive and accessible.

Here are some do’s and don’ts to follow:

Do’s:

• Use alt text for images: Screen readers cannot see images. Alt text descriptions help people use screen readers to understand the image’s content.
• Use captions, transcripts and audio description for videos: making videos accessible to people who are Deaf or hard of hearing, and people who are blind or low vision.
• Test digital content with assistive technology: This will help you identify any barriers to accessibility and make necessary changes to ensure everyone can access your content.
• Use simple and clear language: Avoid technical jargon or complex sentence structures that can be difficult for some people to understand.
• Use responsive design: Ensure digital content is accessible and looks good on all devices, including smartphones and tablets.

Don’ts:

• Don’t use colour alone to convey information: People with colour vision deficiency may be unable to differentiate between colours, so it’s important to use text or symbols.
• Don’t use flashing or moving content: This can cause seizures for people with epilepsy or other photosensitive conditions.
• Don’t use small font sizes: Small font sizes make text difficult to read, especially for people with visual impairments.
• Don’t use auto-play for videos or audio: This can be disruptive and overwhelming, especially for people with sensory sensitivities.
• Don’t use inaccessible PDFs: PDFs can be difficult for screen readers to navigate, so it’s essential to provide accessible versions or alternative formats.

JobAccess Celebrates 17 Years of Service and Innovation this July!

Since 2006, JobAccess has been the first port of call on everything related to disability employment.

Over the years:

• JobAccess has assisted more than 440,000 people – including jobseekers with disability, employers and service providers – with expert advice, support and information.
• JobAccess has managed over 63,000 applications for funding workplace modifications. And each one has made a difference in supporting the employment and retention of people with disability in the workforce.
• The National Disability Recruitment Coordinator (NDRC) has partnered with over 380 large organisations to build their disability confidence and competence.
• Since 2012, the CRRS and the Hotline have lodged more than 15,700 complaints or reports of abuse to improve outcomes for people with disability and service providers.

You don’t have to go it alone when getting support or supporting someone at work. JobAccess is here to help.

• To find out more about how JobAccess could help your organisation, visit their website, call them on 1800 464 800 or email them at: JobAccess@workfocus.com.

Apply for this Free industry mentoring program for students & jobseekers with disability – Applications open

AND has applications for the Spring 2023 intake for their free national PACE Mentoring Program! Students, graduates and jobseekers with any types of disability, mental health condition or chronic illness will have the opportunity to be mentored by an industry professional from one of the Australian leading businesses and organisations from August to December 2023.

International students are welcome to apply too.

• Applications open now and close end of June (with potential of extension to July; late applications are welcome too).

Be Employed as Short Term RAs on Research Projects

This is a Monash wide scheme for Undergraduate and Postgraduate Coursework students to be employed as short term RAs on research projects.

• You can find info on research project opportunities here.

Summer and winter research scholarships are run over the summer and winter breaks.

If you’re interested in a research career or furthering your studies through an honours program, this is a great opportunity to get ahead over the holidays.

Research scholarships aim to provide you with:

• experience in an area of research
• an insight into future opportunities within research
• encouragement to pursue a career in research or academia.

If successful, you will take part in research-related activities.

Faculty of IT Student Team on Assistive Tech

Modelled off the very successful Faculty of Engineering model, the Monash IT Faculty has launched its own Student Teams initiative.

This is designed to get students together (not just from FIT) to work under the banner of a main idea/topic/initiative on semi-autonomous projects.

• You can find more information on Student Teams here. 

A dedicated team on Assistive Tech was launched and after a slow start is gathering some momentum.

You can find out about Assistive Tech here.

2023 Give Respect Art Competition Now Open!

We are excited to announce that the Give Respect Art Competition is open for submissions!

As an opportunity to promote equity, diversity, and inclusion in our community, the competition challenges participants to create artwork that encourages reflection on these topics.

This year, we have revamped the creative challenge to align with the launch of Monash’s new Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Framework.

We encourage Monash students and staff to submit an original piece of art that relates to this year’s theme: Art that evokes reflection about equity, diversity or inclusion.

• The competition is open until the end of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Week on Friday 8 September.

So, you have plenty of time to get into your creative flow and submit your artwork.

The winner will receive recognition for their contribution, as well as:

• $1000 for 1st place student
• $500 for 2nd place student
• and 2 x Gold Class movie vouchers for 1st place staff!

To learn more about the competition requirements and submission guidelines, please visit the Give Respect Art Competition website.

We encourage everyone to participate in this exciting initiative to promote respect and help contribute to thriving communities.

Disability Discrimination Commissioner – Applications open

The Australian Government is seeking expressions of interest from suitably qualified persons for appointment to the full-time statutory position of Disability Discrimination Commissioner at the Australian Human Rights Commission. The advertisement and candidate pack are accessible here.

The Disability Discrimination Commissioner is responsible for the promotion and advancement of rights of people with disability, including promoting understanding and compliance with the Disability Discrimination Act 1992.

The candidate information pack includes a detailed description of the role, selection criteria and how to apply.

• Please note that applications close at 5:00pm on 30 June 2023.

Enquiries about the position can be emailed to appointments@ag.gov.au

One Month Left to Have Your Say In the Review of The Disability Transport Standards

Public consultation for the 2022 Review of the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport 2002 (Transport Standards) is open to 30 June 2023.

Further information about the review is available on the department’s website.

You can help assess whether the Transport Standards are reducing discrimination against people with disability and determine any necessary changes.

The Review is separate to the consultations held in 2021 and 2022 on potential ways to reform the Transport Standards. If you had your say as part of the reform process, it’s important to also give us your feedback through this Review process.

We can take your submission over the phone at 1800 621 372 or you can email it to disabilitytransport@infrastructure.gov.au.

• You can also submit feedback through our ‘Have your say’ form on our website.

Go and See MUST’s Production of Shakespeare in Love!

 June 1 – 3 at The Alexander Theatre

“An absolute joy from beginning to end.” Daily Express

“Makes you feel grateful to be alive.” Independent

Click Here to Book!

This fine production will feature a dedicated Auslan-interpreted performance, ensuring an inclusive and accessible experience for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing.

MUST is committed to promoting inclusivity and providing equitable access to the arts for all members of the community.

Their highly skilled Auslan interpreters will be present on Saturday the 3rd of June, for their matinee performance (1:30pm) of Shakespeare in Love.

Academy-Award Winning Drama

On screen, Shakespeare in Love won seven academy awards and stole our hearts.

Now, this tongue-in-cheek reimagining of William Shakespeare is also an enchanting, hilarious stage play, and a celebration of theatre itself.

Young Will has a bad case of writer’s block. The deadline for his new play is fast approaching and he’s in desperate need of inspiration.

He finds it in Viola, whose fiery passion for poetry and drama leaves her secretly longing to be an actor.

Under the veil of secrecy, Will and Viola’s passionate love affair becomes the basis of the very play he is writing – his masterpiece, Romeo and Juliet.

With opening night fast approaching, plots collide in a rollicking tale of romance, mistaken identity, petty scheming, dramatic irony, lusty innuendo, and tempestuous wordplay.

Shakespeare in Love is a stirring love story, and at its heart, a joyful, hilarious love letter to live theatre – with plenty of knowing winks to the present.

“I will have poetry in my life. And adventure. And love. Love above all.”

“Monash Uni Student Theatre (MUST) continues to support students and create astonishing and powerful work that consistently punches way above its weight and acts as an incubator for some of our most important emerging theatre artists.” Australian Arts Review, 2022

In partnership with MPAC, MUST returns to the Alexander Theatre where they have staged some of their most memorable productions, such as –

Spring Awakening:

“I was rendered speechless … pure ecstasy” ★★★★★ Theatrepeople

…and David Finnigan’s Kill Climate Deniers: “compelling and electric theatre that needs to be seen” Australian Arts Review

Click Here to Book!

Don’t Miss MUST’s Production of Shakespeare in Love!

• Based on the screenplay by Marc Norman & Tom Stoppard
• Adapted for the stage by Lee Hall, Music by Paddy Cunneen
• Directed by Yvonne Virsik, Set Design by Nathan Burmeister
• Dates: 1 – 3 June 2023
• Thurs & Fri 7.30pm
• Sat 1.30pm – AUSLAN INTERPRETED PERFORMANCE & 7.30pm

Click Here to Book!

• Tickets: $25 Conc. $35 Full
• Venue: The Alexander Theatre, 48 Exhibition Walk, Monash University, CLAYTON
• Run time: approx. 2 hrs, 30 mins, including interval
• Age Suitability: 13+
• Content Notes: Adult Themes, Low Grade Violence, Sexual Assault

Enquiries via MUST 9905 8173 msa-must@monash.edu | musttheatre

MEDIA CONTACT: Lucianne Watts (e) lwat0010@student.monash.edu (ph) 0481 435 429

*This production is proudly supported through collaboration with Monash University Performing Arts Centres and the Office of the Pro Vice Chancellor, Major Campuses and Student Engagement.

Monash Uni Student Theatre is a department of the Monash Student Association.

• Bookings via msa.monash.edu/MUST
• Facebook event linked here
• MPAC direct link for bookings

Monash Sensory Science Exhibition on Autoimmunity – Friday June 30 2023

We Invite Members of the Blind, Low Vision and Diverse Needs Communities to the Monash Sensory Science Exhibition

Discover the science of autoimmunity from leading scientists through accessible multisensory, multi-modal artworks and exhibits, including displays by the Monash Assistive Technologies and Society.

From handcrafted immune cells made of clay, food, paper, fabrics to technologies and interactive displays exploring autoimmune processes, you will learn about the ways in which the body mistakenly attacks its own organs and tissues, resulting in autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, multiple sclerosis and celiac disease.

Prepare for an enhanced experience with interactive multi-sensory science books and captivating autoimmunity data sonification, where data is turned into a musical language.

This event is free and open to all, and they have now opened the Eventbrite registration for the exhibition on Friday June 30th.

Event Details

There will be a special keynote presentation by Professor Nicole La Gruta from Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, where she will delve into Autoimmunity, as well as the opportunity to participate in interactive breakout sessions designed to further explore specific autoimmune diseases.

• Information about the Sensory Science event and the booking link are available at https://rossjohnlab.com/monash-sensory-science/

Getting There

There are many ways to get to Monash University, including using public transport.

If you are planning to drive, please purchase a prepaid parking voucher for reserved parking on the day (S2 Underground car park, 20 Ancora Imparo Way).

A $12 parking fee will apply.

• Purchase your parking ticket here.
• View map.

Morning tea and lunch will be provided.

• When: Friday 30 June 2023
• Time: 8.45pm to 2.00pm
• Where: G54 Learning and Teaching Building, 19 Ancora Imparo Way, Monash University, Clayton VIC 3800.
• Enquires: MonashSensoryScience@monash.edu
• To find out more about Monash Sensory Science Exhibition, visit our website.

Register Today

• Please ensure that you register by Sunday June 25 2023 to secure your spot.