Some of Our Parts

Round Table on Information Access for People with Print Disabilities Inc.

You are welcome to participate in the 2025 Round Table on Information Access for People with Print Disabilities annual conference!

This premier event brings together experts, innovators, and advocates dedicated to improving information accessibility for all.

• Don’t miss out—early-bird registrations are open, offering discounts for those who register by 28 February 2025.

Around the conference theme “Access Unlocked: Innovating for Information Equity”, presenters will explore the dynamics between legislative changes, technological progress, and advocacy efforts that collectively enhance information equity.

Information Equity and Social Justice

The 2025 conference is dedicated to deepening the understanding of information equity as an essential element of social justice. It emphasises the critical need for cross-sector collaboration to overcome the obstacles faced by individuals with print disability and to pave the way for a society where inclusive participation is the norm.

• Visit the website at 2025 Round Table conference to view the full agenda, speaker lineup, and registration details.

Don’t Miss These Keynote Speakers

• Maryanne Diamond, OA, The Road to Marrakesh – History and Relevance of the treaty.
• Carly Iles and Jonathan Craig, V2020A – 25 years of collaboration.
• Professor Gerard Goggin, Disability & Digital Citizenship: Australian Consumers & Citizens with Disability Navigating Digital Society.

And our confirmed Feature speakers:

• Dr Emily White, Accessing the expertise of teachers and people with lived experience to drive innovation in braille literacy assessment and teaching.
• Sonali Marathe, Transforming Access: A Decade of Progress, and What’s Next in Information Accessibility.
• Neil Jarvis and Andrea Arch, Digital Accessibility under the DDA in 2025

Dates

• Australian Braille Authority (ABA) Annual Meeting – Saturday, 24 May 2025.
• Conference Proper – Sunday, 25 May to Tuesday, 27 May 2025.

Registrations

• Early Bird Registrations are open and close on Friday, 28 February 2025

To register please complete the on-line delegate registration form, also accessible via the link on the 2025 Round Table conference page of the Round Table website.

Take advantage of the early-bird registration, available until Friday, 28 February 2025. After this date, standard registration fees will apply.

Conference Updates

Conference updates will be posted to the 2025 conference page on the Round Table website and Round Table mailing list.

The Tammy Axelsen Lifetime Achievement Award

This is a reminder that nominations for this annual award are open. The nomination form and further details can be found on our website by following this link: Tammy Axelsen Lifetime Achievement Award

2025 GradWISE Industry Accessibility Week

We’re excited to announce that GradWISE’s Industry Accessibility Week is returning in 2025.

This free, online event is a fantastic opportunity for students and recent graduates living with disability, injury and/or illness to engage with leading employers, explore graduate and early career opportunities, and gain skills and information to support their career journey.

Event Details

• Monday 10th February – Thursday 13th February 2025
• 9:30am – 3pm AEDT daily
• Online, MS Teams – Registration required here.

Students and graduates will have the opportunity to:

• Hear from leading employers across diverse industries
• Receive application tips and advice to stand out
• Join lunchtime activities focused on wellbeing

Monash students/graduates can attend sessions that align with their current career goals, making it flexible and impactful for them.

REGISTER HERE

Social Anxiety and Worry Group Programs

The free Social Anxiety group program and Managing Worries and Rumination group program for Monash students has some remaining places available for Semester 1.

• To find out more and submit your expression of interest, please go to this website.

About the National Autism Strategy

The National Autism Strategy has been developed through a comprehensive co-design process.

The strategy sets out the vision for a safe and inclusive society for all Autistic people. One where we support and empower Autistic people to thrive, in all aspects of life. This is in line with international human rights.

The strategy is a framework for improving outcomes for all Autistic people in the years ahead. It includes a vision, goal and guiding principles.

The strategy focuses on actions and enabling change in four key outcome areas:

• Social inclusion
• Economic inclusion
• Diagnosis, services and supports
• Health and mental health via the National Roadmap to Improve the Health and Mental Health of Autistic People (the Autism Health Roadmap).

The Strategy will be supported by the National Autism Strategy First Action Plan 2025-26 (Action Plan).

The Action Plan builds on what we heard through the national consultation process and the work of the National Autism Strategy Oversight Council and supporting Working Groups.

For more information visit the Department of Social Services website: https://www.dss.gov.au/national-autism-strategy

Announcement of the 2022 Review of the Transport Standards

The Australian Government has published the 2022 Review of the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport 2002 (Transport Standards) Final Report and Government Response.

The Final Report and Government Response, including a summary available in Auslan and Easy Read, is available at www.infrastructure.gov.au/transport-standards-review.

More than 1000 participants, including people with disability, disability representative organisations, public transport operators and providers and government contributed to the 2022 Review through a range of consultation events and activities including surveys, webinars, focus groups and written submissions.

The experiences shared through consultations provide invaluable insights into the efficiency and effectiveness of the Transport Standards in supporting accessible public transport networks across Australia and in removing discrimination against people with disability. The Government thanks everyone who contributed to the 2022 Review.

Opportunities for Action

The 2022 Review Final Report identifies six opportunities for action – covering matters related to:

• Increasing public awareness
• Improving compliance and enforcement
• The need for further reform across the public transport network
• The importance of engaging people with disability in the design and implementation of public transport services.

Some of these opportunities are being addressed in whole or in part through the implementation of the Transport Standards reform package, announced on 20 March 2024. The reforms will modernise the Transport Standards and their supporting material to ensure they remain efficient and effective in removing discrimination against people with disability.

Many of the issues relating to air travel that were highlighted through the 2022 Review are being addressed through the Aviation White Paper, which sets out the Government’s vision for Australia’s aviation sector to 2050. This includes initiatives to deliver an accessible aviation sector that protects the rights of people with disability.

The new aviation standards will strengthen and affirm the rights of people with disability during air travel and affirm the obligations that airlines and airports have to provide equal access. The Australian Government will co-design the standards with people with disability and consult industry on the draft standards in 2025.

To stay up to date and for more information, visit www.infrastructure.gov.au/transportaccessibility.

Work Integrated Learning Focus Group / Survey – Participants Wanted!

We are aiming to improve the participation rates of tertiary students in work integrated learning (WIL) (also referred to as internships, placements, industry experience/immersion or work experience).

Our research focuses on enhancing work integrated learning (WIL) to better cater to students with disabilities.

We want to hear from you whether you have participated in WIL or not.

The aim is to get a better understanding of your needs to undertake an internship as tertiary student.

While we are specifically interested in hearing from students who identify as neurodiverse, we are interested to hear from any student who has a disability (diagnosed or undiagnosed).

You do not have to be registered with your university’s disability support services to participate in this study.

Participation in this study is anonymous and will not affect your access to DSS.

• Access the Explanatory Statement here

Survey

You can complete a voluntary 20-minute survey and share what would help you to participate in WIL or what has / hasn’t worked for you during an internship placement.

Your responses are anonymous, and we appreciate your honest feedback.

All participants will be entered into a draw for a $50 gift card for their time completing the survey.

If you are interested in participating, please complete the following survey:

• Access the survey here

Focus Groups and Interviews

In mid to late April 2025, we are running 45-minute focus groups or interviews.

All participants will receive a $50 gift card for their time. Light refreshments will also be provided for participants attending in person.

If you’re interested in participating, please register your interest:

• Sign up for a focus group / interview here

If you feel this research topic is important, please consider sending the survey link or focus group /interview invitation to others who you believe may be interested.

• This project has been approved by the Monash University Human Research Ethics Committee, project ID: 41230 Human-centred design to improve work-integrated learning for students with a disability.

If you have further questions, please contact Dr Rosemarie Herbert (Chief Investigator) via email: rosemarie.herbert@monash.edu

Career Connect – Recruitment Ready Week 2024

From 18th-20th November 2024, Career Connect is hosting a series of events, panels, and workshops focused on essential recruitment skills and job-hunting strategies!

This week offers primarily online events, where students will gain practical tools and strategies to land a job confidently following graduation.

• Check out the full program of events visit: www.monash.edu/recruitment-ready

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.)