Some of Our Parts

Vision Australia’s 2025 Bursary Applications Now Open

Each year, Vision Australia awards Further Education Bursaries to a select number of students who are blind or have low vision.

The bursaries provide adaptive technology to help students fully participate and succeed in their chosen studies.

Assistive technology can eliminate barriers to education and enhance access to information. It enables students to read course material, conduct research and improve their student life.

• For more information and details on how to apply, please visit: www.visionaustralia.org/bursary
• Expressions of interest must be lodged by 15 September 2024. Applications close strictly on 30 September 2024.

If you have any queries or would like to speak with Vision Australia’s bursary coordinator, please feel free to make direct contact:

Joy King
Ph: 03 8378 1220
E: joy.king@visionaustralia.org

Unzip Our Voices: Exploring Diversity in Communication at Monash

Do you ever feel that your voice is zipped up and there’s no way to express yourself at the right time or in the right way?

At the Monash Assistive Technology and Society (MATS) Centre, we are doing interdisciplinary research for and with university students in Australia who are at risk of marginalisation and exclusion because they communicate differently. These differences may arise from disabilities, neurodiversity, and native languages/cultures.

In such situations, information can be exchanged without or alongside speech via augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). You might not be familiar with this term, but you may already be using various forms of AAC even if your tutor/supervisor isn’t aware of it!

Conventionally, AAC includes systems, approaches and practices like Auslan, communication boards, whiteboards, text-to-voice engines, email/texting, and subtitling.

More broadly, for multilingual/international students, it may just involve using everyday mobile apps like Google Translate, Otter.ai, or ChatGPT so you can understand better in English.

You Are Invited to Participate in Our Survey

We need your help to understand what kind of AAC you regularly use to address your communication needs at Monash, how you feel about using it, and what you think can be done to make Monash a more inclusive place through AAC.

To work towards this goal, we are inviting you to participate in a 15 to 30-minute online survey.

In return, you will gain a renewed sense of purpose – something greater than your past exams – because you know how your experience, when heard by the right people, could help redefine inclusion in academia.

Join us in unzipping our diverse voices together, along with our pride (or frustration) in being different!

CLICK HERE TO PARTICIPATE

• Please note this is part of my PhD research project. If you are interested and leave your email address in the survey, I may contact you for further collaboration.
• If you have any further questions or need assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact me on jing.hu@monash.edu.

The Monash Guarantee/SEAS Testimonial Opportunity

The University’s marketing team is hoping to showcase some of our students who may have benefited from the Monash Guarantee or Special Entry Access Scheme (SEAS).

We’re sharing this opportunity to see if you would be interested in sharing your story.

This opportunity is open to domestic, undergraduate students who have a WAM of 60 or higher who feel they have benefited from SEAS or the Monash Guarantee. If you need a reminder of what is covered in SEAS and the Monash Guarantee see our website.

• Your registration with DSS will remain confidential and you don’t need to disclose your disability or medical condition if you don’t want to or do not feel comfortable.

What’s In It For You

If you’re interested, we’ll send you some questions about how Monash Guarantee or SEAS has helped you to achieve your aspirations. We may also ask about extracurricular activities you’ve enjoyed as a student.

• We’re able to provide a $50 gift card for your time!

What’s Next

If you’d like to participate, you will need to consent to the use of your image and a quote to be used for marketing purposes by the University to highlight the positive outcomes of these opportunities.

It’s possible that the story may be picked up by a news outlet, and if this happens you may be asked for an interview, but this is not guaranteed, and you would be free to decline the opportunity.

If you’re interested, could you please email Susan Newland (details are below) By Friday June 28th.

• Susan Newland
• Senior Coordinator, Projects and Development, Access Inclusion and Success
• Susan.Newland@monash.edu

Monash University PhD Scholarship in Assistive Technology and Disability

The Monash Assistive Technology and Society (MATS) Centre is offering two PhD Scholarships. Candidates who identify as having a disability are strongly encouraged to apply.

• You can learn about the MATS Centre here.

Emerging assistive technologies have the potential to break down many of the barriers that people with disabilities face at school, university, work and in the social sphere.

Our work at the MATS Centre is guided by partnerships with the community to ensure we’re addressing real problems faced by real people and creating a lasting impact.

Join us as a PhD Candidate and help to create a world that is more inclusive and equitable.

The successful candidate will explore an area of research focus within MATS and the Faculty of Information Technology. The precise details of the PhD project are open to negotiation, but it should be designed with the aim of making a positive difference to the life experience of people with disabilities.

The successful candidates will be based in the Faculty of Information Technology of Monash University at the Caulfield or Clayton campuses in Melbourne.

• For more details, please click here.

Closing Date:

Wednesday, 3 July 2024

Social Anxiety Group Program – Semester 2, 2024

Do you experience significant fear or anxiety about social situations?

• Do you worry about being judged or showing signs of anxiety in social
  situations?
• Do you avoid social situations?

If so, you may benefit from participating in our Social Anxiety Group
Program.

The program is an exciting opportunity for Monash students to learn ways to address their social anxiety and fully engage in life.

The program involves:

• Eight 2-hour weekly group sessions (free of charge) at Clayton campus on Wednesdays during Semester 2 at 11am-1pm or 2-4pm, facilitated by
  Dr Sophia Gozzi, Clinical Psychologist
• Written education materials and tasks between group sessions
• For further information or to submit an expression of interest, please complete an Expression of Interest form.

Invent Student Internship (ISI) – Apply Now!

ISI is a partnership between Monash Young MedTech Innovators (MYMI), Monash Institute of Medical Engineering (MIME) and Monash Partners Academic Health Science Centre.

The program is a project-based internship that connects current MIME-funded research projects to high performing undergraduate students from across Monash University who are interested in co-developing a defined technological solution.

Students will have an opportunity to learn and apply the Stanford Biodesign process, including commercialisation, intellectual property, regulatory, and reimbursement strategies. Students will also be able to upskill on technical skills required for their defined research project.

The purpose of ISI is to connect student innovators to projects that exist in the research and development stage and engage them to assist in further R&D, as well as assisting in developing a commercialisation strategy for the project.

Scholarship recipients will be awarded $4,000* and will be required for 8 hours per week working in an assigned laboratory and attendance at approximately 15 upskilling workshops.

The internship runs between Friday 12 July and Monday 18 November.

*internships will be paid as casual salaries and incur standard income tax.

Applications Now Open

• Applications close Saturday 1 June, 5pm.

Get Skilled in Accessibility with New Courses

With more than 4.4 million Australians living identifying as having a disability, simple accessibility errors could be preventing thousands of people from interacting with your business.

It’s time for that to change!

By popular demand, Vision Australia is launching a new series of on-demand courses to make creating inclusive digital experiences easier than ever.

Real inclusion needs understanding, not a checklist.

For over 20 years, Vision Australia has been providing comprehensive, expert-led accessibility training to professionals worldwide.

Digital Access Training is an inexpensive alternative to in-person training.

Catering to all types of learning styles and skillsets, complete certified courses at your own pace, anywhere in the world. It’s fun, informative and fast with most courses completable in under an hour.

Together, we can make the web work for everyone.

Learn More About On-Demand Accessibility Courses Here

Vacant Supported Independent Living (SIL) Houses Available Across Victoria

Alpha Community Care is a leading NDIS and Disability support provider.

They are excited to inform you about several of their Supported Independent Living (SIL) houses across Victoria that currently have vacancies. These homes may be an excellent fit for NDIS participants seeking comfortable and supportive living environments.

Currently Available SIL Houses

Cheltenham Haven, Cheltenham, VIC 3192

• 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
• Situated on a spacious 550SQM land
• Ideal for individuals seeking a cozy and well-located home

Delahay House, Delahay, VIC

• 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
• Ample car space for 3 cars and a large backyard on a 764SQM land
• Perfect for those who enjoy outdoor activities and need extra space

Aintree Double Story House, Aintree, VIC

• 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
• Brand new, double-story house with an upstairs and downstairs living area
• Features a master bedroom with a balcony, ample car space for 2 cars, and a big backyard
• Ideal for participants looking for modern, spacious living

Coburg Double Story Penthouse, Coburg, VIC 3058

• 2 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
• Recently renovated with luxurious finishes
• Includes a unique master bathroom with a TV in the bath for relaxation
• Does not have accessible outdoor space but offers high-end indoor amenities

All Alpha Community Care SIL houses are designed to provide a supportive, safe, and comfortable living environment for NDIS participants.

They are dedicated to ensuring residents receive the highest quality of care and support tailored to their individual needs.

• If this applies to you or someone you know, please feel free to contact them on 1300 380 692 or via email at admin@alphacommunitycare.com.au to schedule a visit or for any further information.

Mindful May Events hosted by Counselling and Psychological Services Caulfield

The Counselling and Psychological Services team at Caulfield Campus is running a series of drop-in mindfulness sessions over the next 3 weeks as part of Mindful May.

Mindfulness of eating/Mindfulness of thoughts

• Date: Tuesday 14 May
• Time: 12pm- 1pm
• Venue: K105 Caulfield
• Description: This session will involve 2 mindful exercises to cultivate present moment awareness of our eating, and our thoughts.
• No registration required.

Mindfulness of the senses

• Date: Tuesday 21 May
• Time: 11am- 11:45am
• Venue: K105 Caulfield
• Description: In this session we will explore using our five senses of sight, hearing, touch, taste and smell to gently guide our awareness and attention to the present moment.
• No registration required.

Lunchtime mindful movement (online chair yoga)

• Date: Tuesday 28 May
• Time: 1-1:45pm
• Description: This chair yoga session combines yoga-based movements, breath practices, meditation, self-massage and psychoeducation. It aims to increase body awareness, reduce stress and enhance wellbeing.
• Registration required via link.

SMRC Open Day at Dingley Village Neighbourhood Centre

Southern Migrant and Resource Centre (SMRC) is happy to invite you to their Open Day at Dingley Village Neighbourhood House to showcase their services they offer to people born overseas and their carers.

SMRC staff will be available for those who need information and assistance in accessing services and aged care systems.

A variety of sessions will be available throughout the day such as:

• Tai Chi
• Dance class
• Horticultural information session
• Potting class and more!
• Refreshments available

Where: 31B Marcus Rd, Dingley Village.

When: Friday 24 May 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

For more information visit:

• Dingley Village Neighbourhood Centre
• or call SMRC on 9767 1900 or
• E: smrc@smrc.org.au
• www.smrc.org.au