Some of Our Parts

GradWISE team Wins the NESA Innovation in Disability Employment Award

A big congratulations to our GradWISE team for receiving the NESA Innovation in Disability Employment Award at the National Employment Services Association (NESA) Excellence Awards in Canberra recently.

The program was nominated for their work of “bridging the transition from study to work for students with disability”.

Well done Ed and all the GradWISE team! A fantastic and well-deserved result.

• Go to the DSS website to find out more about GradWISE at Monash

Department of Social Services Casual Intern Positions Now Available

The Department of Social Services is looking for 3 interns for a general Office Admin role.

The aim is for students to gain exposure and experience in an office environment.

Ideally they would like someone based in their Tasmanian office and the other 2 interns are open Australia wide.

The Internship Position

• Paid internship – market casual rate
• 6 week internship
• Normally 9-5pm, will accommodate Reasonable Adjustment for what the candidate can work.
• Reasonable Adjustment throughout the recruitment process.
• No specific background / degree
• Close date Friday 11^th June

Key Duties

Duties performed by interns may include but are not limited to:

• Assist with administrative support to work area
• Respond to routine enquiries or straightforward matters from stakeholders
• Gather basic information and respond to written and telephone requests
• Undertake basic data entry and retrieval
• Create, update and maintain files and records
• Work collaboratively to assist in the resolution of minor operational issues
• Maintain knowledge of procedures and tasks relevant to own work
• Some roles may require undertaking preliminary information and data gathering work for research tasks

Skills Required

• Love working in a team environment
• Good written and verbal communication skills
• Administration or assistant experience is desirable but not necessary
• General understanding of office management systems and procedures
• Time management skills and ability to multi-task and prioritize work
• Enthusiasm and motivation to communicate new ideas
• Eager to learn

*For more information, including how to apply, please contact Edward Osano from GradWISE at: edward.osano@wiseemployment.com.au

GradWISE Mid-Year Industry AccessABILITY Week

GradWISE will be hosting their Mid-Year Industry AccessABILITY Week from Monday 21st of June to Friday 25th of June, and would like to extend an invitation to Monash University Students.

The theme is Resilience and Reinvention, highlighting the resilience of previous GradWISE Participants.

Over the week, their will be a combination of GradWISE Alumni and Industry Partners to share their career journey and provide helpful information to help students/graduates stand out from the crowd.

GradWISE will be hosting three sessions a day, to register please use the link here!

• Session One: Our Industry Partner and a GradWISE Alumni
• Session Two: A panel discussion with a range of our GradWISE Industry Partners
• Session Three: An Industry Partner and GradWISE Alumni sharing their career pathway story

To find out more, please read the attached document.

Soundfair Monthly Accessibility Newsletter

• This content is from Soundfair’s monthly digest of the latest research, accessibility and representation news, including opportunities to get involved.

Xbox Becomes More Accessible with Party Chat

Xbox Party Chat will now support transcribing speech into text and synthesis of speech from text

These features can be used to help gamers who are deaf or hard of hearing and/or cannot or choose not to speak to participate in Xbox Party Chat without special accommodation from others in the party.

Microsoft has recently announced a 5-year plan to improve #accessibility to people with #disabilities

In this interview, Microsoft’s Chief Accessibility Officer Jenny Lay-Flurrie, who is hard of hearing herself, talks more about her role and goals.

Community News

I’ve always been terrified of losing my hearing – but when it happened, I craved silence

Most people assume that when you go deaf the world gradually gets turned down. The reality is anything but. By Fiona Murphy.

Nothing funny about hearing loss – as my child knows

Hearing loss is a serious challenge that brings with it many frustrations for a diverse range of people. By Megan Blandford.

Deaf Children Australia Youth Grants

Are you deaf or hard of hearing and 15 – 23 years old? Did you know you can apply for a grant of up to $2,500 to help you achieve a personal goal or project?

Hearing Services Program Review – Draft Report

On 14 August 2020, the Hon Mark Coulton, Minister for Regional Health, Regional Communications and Local Government, announced a review into the Hearing Services Program. Stakeholder and community consultation is a key part of the Review. Interested parties can provide feedback on the Draft Report via a short written submission (3 page limit) through the Consultation Hub. Submissions close at noon AEST on Thursday, 24 June 2021.

Arts Access Victoria is asking Victorian music workers (e.g. sound engineers and musicians) about their experience of deafness and/or disability in the music industry. If you’d like to participate anonymously, click here.

Supporting Young People with Autism

As Victoria endures another lockdown period, the I CAN Network appreciates that the uncertainty caused by COVID-19 continues to impact many people in their network, especially young people with autism.

With that in mind, I CAN would like to share some insights and Autistic-led resources to support people in their network – not just in times of lockdown, but for overall well being, including:

• Tips for enabling Autistic students online
• Tips and links for managing overwhelm
• Tips for leveraging Autistic passions (timely for upcoming school holidays)
• Cycle 4 of Online Mentoring – including many new interest-based groups

Managing Overwhelm

It can be helpful for young people with Autism to hear from Autistic voices of all ages to reassure them that they aren’t the only one feeling overwhelmed or anxious.

• I CAN Ambassador Dr Wenn Lawson has put together this reassuring video for Autistic young people called Autism & When You Are Feeling A Bit Anxious.

This tip sheet attached on Managing Overwhelm was created by Autistic young adult members of the I CAN team. It offers tips to younger peers, as well as advice aimed at adults (parents/carers/teaching staff) who support Autistic young people.

The Joy of Autistic Passions

Autistic passions can provide great comfort, particularly amid very uncertain times.

They can also be a source of immense joy and connection, including when the people around us show an interest in the things we love.

For any of our young people or adults who are feeling on edge right now, we encourage you to embrace the things that fuel your passion.

Again, Autistic young adults from our team offer some tips  to help their younger peers and the adults who support them. This tip sheet on Staying Connected With Passions & People might also come in handy for the upcoming school holidays.

I CAN Online Interest Groups

I CAN’s Autistic-led online group mentoring program continues to offer a steady, safe, fun space where Autistic young people can connect each week with peers and mentors.

For so many of mentees, that regular weekly spot provides an anchor of security.

I CAN are especially excited to be expanding the number and range of interest-based groups we offer, as well as expanding their ages served to include 9-22 year olds.

Their next cycle, which begins the week of 26th July, includes interest based groups for:

• AFL (new)
• Anime
• Dinosaurs (new)
• Drawing & Art (new)
• Dungeons & Dragons (new)
• Marvel (new)
• Minecraft
• Pokemon (new)
• Screens, Tunes & Characters (expanded to accommodate up to age 22)

These will be offered along with I CAN’s standing groups for age-based cohorts (9-13 and 13-15) and their groups for, Autistic/LGBTIQA+ teens.

I CAN also offer our I CAN Imagination Club® for 9-12 year olds, which is a non Autism-specific group.

To learn more and/or to submit an Expression of Interest, please click here or on the button below: https://icannetwork.online/online/

Research Project to Determine Best Practice Career Support for Students with Disability

The National Careers Institute has funded a project to investigate best practice career support for students with disability with the aim of establishing the first dedicated national Career Development Learning Hub for students with disability.

This study has been approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee at Curtin University and is commencing data collection.   

They are seeking to recruit participants from three categories:

1. Students of university, TAFE or VET who identify as having disability
2. Parents/ carers of primary, secondary or tertiary students with disability
3. Stakeholders in careers or disability services: practitioners, career advisers, school leaders, equity practitioners, career services providers, member of industry bodies who have an interest in disability support

Survey Link for Students

We are seeking students with disability to contribute to research on careers support. Interested? Take our short survey: https://bit.ly/2RMJR5Q. Curtin University Human Research Ethics Committee approved this study (HRE2021-0219)

Survey Link for Parents/Carers

We are seeking parents/carers of students with disability to contribute to research on careers support. Interested? Take our short survey: https://bit.ly/3fgVWcA. Curtin University Human Research Ethics Committee approved this study (HRE2021-0219)

Survey Link for Stakeholders

We are seeking stakeholders in disability/careers support to contribute to research. Interested? Take our short survey: https://bit.ly/2TeXtYa. Curtin University Human Research Ethics Committee approved this study (HRE2021-0219)

• If you would like to receive updates on the project, please visit the project webpage and register your email with olivia.groves@curtin.edu.au to receive the quarterly project newsletter.

Help Celebrate the Tenth Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD)!

The purpose of GAAD is to get everyone talking, thinking and learning about digital access and inclusion, and the more than One Billion people with disabilities/impairments.

What is Digital Accessibility?

Every user deserves a first-rate digital experience on the web.

Someone with a disability must be able to experience web-based services, content and other digital products with the same successful outcome as those without disabilities.

This awareness and commitment to inclusion is the goal of Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD), a global event that shines a light on digital access and inclusion for people with disabilities.

PACE Mentoring Spring 2021 Applications Are Now Open!

PACE Mentoring is an industry mentoring program that matches jobseekers and students with disability with experienced professionals from leading Australian businesses.

The program is a great opportunity for you to:

• Build confidence
• Develop employability skills
• Learn some top tips to get a head start on your career
• Experience professional and personal development

How PACE Mentoring helped Melissa

“After I finished PACE, I submitted my resume to Indooroopilly State High School, where I was successful in obtaining an interview. Initially I was nervous, but I just relaxed and thought of the tips my mentor gave me. A week later I got a call from the principal saying that I had the job as a mathematics and science teacher.”

– Melissa from the 2018 PACE Mentoring cohort reflecting on how PACE helped her break into the teaching industry.

Read more great stories from PACE Mentoring HERE

Want to learn more about the program?

Come along to AND’s free PACE Information sessions where they discuss what the PACE program is and how it can help your professional and personal development.

The sessions will be held through Microsoft TEAMS. This session is open to jobseekers, students and industry providers so feel free to share the details!

• Thursday 3rd June 2pm – 3pm (Sydney/Canberra/Melbourne time)
• Wednesday 16th June 11am – 12pm (Sydney/Canberra/Melbourne time)

You can access the Information sessions here!

Who is eligible?

• Anyone 18 years or over with any type of disability, mental health condition or chronic illness is eligible for the PACE Mentoring Program.

Mentoring opportunities are in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra, Perth & Adelaide. There are also some virtual mentoring opportunities for students and jobseekers based in other locations across Australia.

Find Out More About PACE Mentoring

Perform At Your Peak in Final Assessments in 2021

The Monash University Student Academic Success (SAS) team has developed a program of workshops and resources to support undergraduate and postgraduate students in their end-of-semester assessments.

Final assessments are just around the corner, and the team at Student Academic Success have you covered!

Their program includes:

• Workshops on time management, exam preparation and getting the most out of your revision period. Starts 11 May. Book your spot now!
• Quick feedback on your academic English in your draft assignments. Upload your draft to get fast-turnaround feedback.
• Videos of top tips and ideas from students, academics and learning experts about managing the final assessment period.
• Useful resources to help you plan and study smarter, not harder.

If you would like one-on-one support, book in a consultation with a learning adviser.

Call Out for Disabled Young Content Creators!