Some of Our Parts

Curious About Employee Resource Groups?

Last month, Australian Network on Disability (AND) held two sessions on Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), also known as Disability Employee Networks (DEN)s.

Hosted by global disability networking and professional development hub – PurpleSpace, the sessions provided practical tips on:

• Setting up an Employee Resource Group
• Implementing a high performing Employee Resource Group.

What is an ERG?

An ERG is a forum where people with disability, carers, allies and friends connect to drive organisational change.

Emily Matthews, Member Experience Manager at AND, says:

“Forums like ERGs are integral. Everyone who is interested in accessibility and inclusion has the opportunity to connect and make positive, tangible changes for people with disability in the workplace.”

What is the purpose of an ERG?

• An ERG drives organisational change through consultation, activity and conversation.
• ERGs create inclusive and accessible workplaces by hosting events, developing policies and procedures.

Why do ERGs form?

ERG’s can form for many different reasons. ERGs may form:

• To come together to support employees with disability and for those who care for people with disability. to raise ideas and discuss key workplace issues – including workplace adjustments (eg flexible work).
• To consult across business; monitoring accessibility and inclusion of systems, policies and procedures.
• To improve policies and procedures to provide a disability-focused forum, particularly at times when an organisation is undertaking substantial change, eg change of premises.

Currently 86 of AND’s members have an ERG – but that number continues to grow as employees see the value of connecting with other like-minded staff, especially as COVID has impacted the way work.

AND’s Tips on Starting an ERG

Getting started:

• Develop a clear sense of purpose for the group that drives change
• Establish Terms of Reference so everyone understands the processes
• Have a clear structure – assign a Chairperson, secretary and, if needed, a treasurer.

AND suggests including the following:

• A Senior Executive Disability Champion
• Disability Employee Network leader
• Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) practitioner.

We encourage bringing the ERG and the D&I lead together to set the agenda for each ERG meeting.

What Can an ERG achieve?

• Educate the broader organisation and raise awareness of inclusion and accessibility across the organisation.
• Establish disability inclusion action plans for the organisation, supporting all employees with disability to work equitably.
• Influence change – through activities or guiding decisions so inclusion and accessibility is considered.

Want to start an ERG with our support?

AND facilitates ERG formation workshops.

“We can help you talk through what your ERG can do, support you in identifying what you want to achieve in your network and also help you create the terms of reference,” Emily Matthews.

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

Last Chance for Stepping Into Internships Summer 2021-2022

Australian Network on Disability (AND) have extended the application deadline for Stepping Into Internships to midnight Sunday 10th October!

• AND have a great number of paid work experience opportunities across VIC this summer.

Internships are available to students with disability studying Accounting, Data, Law, Engineering, IT, Science, Commerce, Psychology, HR, Marketing, Social Science, Project Management and more!

Participating Victorian organisations include:

• Asahi Holdings Australia
• Australia Post
• Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC)
• City of Greater Dandenong
• City of Yarra
• IAG
• Jacobs
• National Disability Insurance Agency
• NBN Co Limited
• RMIT
• Stockland Corporation Ltd
• The Royal Women’s Hospital
• VIC Department of Education and Training
• VIC Department of Health
• VIC Department of Treasury and Finance
• VIC Dept of Environment Land Water and Planning
• VIC Dept of Families, Fairness and Housing
• VIC Dept of Justice & Community Safety
• Yooralla
• Zoos Victoria

With over 200 internships available for students with disability, there are plenty of opportunities to gain paid work experience and add to your professional skills over the Summer break.

Head to AND’s website to view all available positions, and apply online by midnight, Sunday 10th October.

PLUS, if you have applied in previous intakes you don’t need to re-apply. Simply email applications@and.org.au with a list of at least 3 position preferences and we can use your previous application.

Want Some Interview Tips?

If you have applied for the program and want more tips and tricks on interviewing – come along to our free Plan for Success online information session on Thursday 14 October, 3 – 4pm (AEDT) and Monday 18 October, 3 – 4pm (AEDT) in Sydney/Canberra/Melbourne time.

These sessions are beneficial for all applicants. In addition to interview top tips, we will take you through the timeframe for Stepping Into.

There’s no need to register – just log on 3pm Thursday 14 October.

You can find login details for the session here.

Not Too Late to Change Preferences

Already applied? More positions have been added since our first email. Be sure to check our website for the updated list, and email applications@and.org.au if you would like to change your preferences.

Have questions about your application or eligibility? Get in touch with the Australian Network on Disability. You can email applications@and.org.au or phone 1300 36 36 45.

• For a full list of the internships and position descriptions, visit the AND website.
• Don’t forget to follow AND on Facebook for updates!

PhD Scholarship Available for Candidates with a Disability

An Australian Research Council grant has a fully funded PhD scholarship on offer under the Universities as Disability Champions of Change program.

Associate Professor Paul Harpur is now advertising for a PhD candidate.

Associate Professor Harpur is especially interested in hearing from a potential candidate who has a disability.

If this offer is relevant to you, please make contact at: p.harpur@law.uq.edu.au

Find out more about Associate Professor Paul Harpur

• BBus (HRm), LLB (Hons) LLM, PhD, FHEA, solicitor of the High Court of Australia (non-practicing)
• Academic Fellow, Harvard Law School Project on Disability
• International Distinguished Fellow, Burton Blatt Institute, SU, New York
• ARC Future Fellow – “Normalizing Ability Diversity through Career Transitions: Disability at Work”
• 2019 Fulbright Future Scholar
• Associate Professor, The University of Queensland Law School

“Universities train the disability leaders of tomorrow, employ the disability leaders of today, and produce research and innovation which can make the world more inclusive” 

• Paul Harpur,  ‘Universities as Disability Champions of Change’ TEDx 2021.

Hearing Happiness: Deafness Cures in History

Dr Jaipreet  Virdi is a historian of medicine, technology, and disability.

She is an Assistant Professor at the Department of History at the University of Delaware and the author of Hearing Happiness: Deafness Cures in History.

View her Science Friday Interview on her book Hearing Happiness.

• Dr Virdi is the keynote speaker for the Accessing Higher Ground conference from November 15 – November 19 2021.
• Accessing Higher Ground focuses on the implementation and benefits of: accessible media, Inclusive Design, accessible curriculum, and  Assistive Technology in the university, business and public setting.

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!

APPLY NOW! Stepping Into Applications Close in Two Weeks!

Are you a university student with disability looking for a paid internship?

• Then don’t miss out on our amazing Stepping Into internship program!

With only two weeks left to apply, we have received many great applications for the over 200 internships available.

Whether you’re interested in public policy, sciences, mining or research – plus more –  there’s a role to suit you.

What is Stepping Into?

Australian Network on Disability’s Stepping Into program is a paid internship program connecting students with disability to leading Australian businesses for hands on work experience.

Through Stepping Into, you can:

• gain paid and valuable career-relevant work experience
• learn new skills
• grow your knowledge of your chosen industry
• develop networking and social skills
• join the Stepping Into Alumni community
• support provided throughout the program.

*Don’t miss out on your chance to apply

Applications are now open.

• For a full list of internship opportunities and to learn how to apply, visit our website.

With only two weeks left until applications close, don’t miss out on the amazing opportunity to launch your career.

• Applications on Sunday, 3 October.

GNV Hosting Free Events for the Community

Genetic Support Network of Victoria (located at Murdoch Children’s Research Institute) will be hosting a program of events free for the community.

The month-long event in October is focusing on the practical skills to support those in your community as peer support organisations and individuals.⁠

October is Mental Health Month

The more individuals and organisations who commit to promoting mental health awareness and support the campaign, the more we reduce the stigma surrounding mental ill health and play our part in creating a mentally healthy community.⁠ ⁠

Register here: https://www.gsnv.org.au/events/practical-wellness-series-october-2021/ and feel free to share within your networks,

Kari Klein BSc(Hons), MSc

Project Officer

Genetic Support Network of Victoria

50 Flemington Road, Parkville, VIC, 3052
T: (03) 8341 6315
E: kari.klein@mcri.edu.au

W: www.gsnv.org.au