Some of Our Parts

Supporting Students with Disability to Succeed in Higher Education

Associate Professor Tim Pitman, Senior Research Fellow, School of Education, Curtin University, and Equity Fellow, National Centre for Student Equity in Higher Education (NCSEHE) would like to know what barriers students with disability face, both at university and when getting the work they want after graduation.

Associate Professor Pitman is promoting a survey that he is conducting as part of a national project, funded by the National Centre for Student Equity in Higher Education. The project is being overseen by an advisory group chaired by Professor Katie Ellis (Curtin University) and includes members from the Australian Disability Clearinghouse on Education and Training (ADCET) and Vision Australia.

About The Project

The project is being conducted by Tim Pitman (Curtin University) and David Eckstein (Swinburne University) and is funded by a grant from the National Centre for Student Equity in Higher Education.

The survey is designed to gather feedback from students with disability as well as staff working in higher education institutions, regardless of whether or not their job role involves supporting students with disability.

Your opinions and experience are sought to help Australia’s universities do more to help students with disability get the work they want when they graduate. Students with disability are under-represented in the labour market. You can make a difference by contributing to national research into:

• the university environment,
• how universities support these students’ careers, and
• new things that can be done to help.

Prize Draw

Students completing the student survey will be eligible for entry into a prize draw. There will be ten winners, each receiving a $100 Amazon gift voucher.

Further information about the surveys:

https://www.ncsehe.edu.au/supporting-students-disabilities-higher-education/

How You Can Support Monash with Fundraising for Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS)

In May 2020, the 15 for 15 challenge will raise awareness and funds for Prader-Willi Syndrome.

Money raised will assist the Department of Paediatrics at Monash University to develop a desperately needed state-wide, evidence-based model of care for children with Prader-Willi Syndrome.

The project will be led by Professor Katrina Williams at the department of paediatrics at Monash University in close consultation with Assoc. Professor Tom Connell from the Royal Children’s Hospital. The program will be developed for implementation at both major Victorian paediatric hospitals (Monash Children’s Hospital and the Royal Children’s Hospital) with regional links.

So what is the 15 for 15 Challenge and how can you get involved?

What do you think you could do for a 15-day self-challenge? Perhaps you could give up your daily coffee, or walk a certain amount of kilometres each day, you could style your hair crazily each day or wear Orange clothing (the official colour of PWS Awareness) each day?

The choice is yours but it needs to be something that both you and those close to you, see as a distinct challenge so they will sponsor and perhaps even join you.

We have all been in lock-down over the past couple of months and a lot of us still have a little more time on our hands than usual. Here is a chance to contribute to a worthy cause and do something that will challenge yourself.

• Please go to the PWC website for more information about how you can get involved with the 15 for 15 challenge.

Resources to use and share this Global Accessibility Awareness Day

#GAAD – From Australian Network on Disability

Thursday 21 May 2020 marks the 9th annual celebration of Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) and the first year of celebrating it virtually! It is an opportunity to get people thinking, talking and learning about digital accessibility and inclusion.

Digital accessibility is about designing and developing websites, software, applications, and tools that can be used by everyone. At a time where many people are working remotely, it is especially important for organisations to make sure communication and information can be easily read and understood by all potential audiences.

To discover some practical tips to make your content accessible and inclusive, please see this article on Australian Network on Disability’s website.

Free Online Workshops – Register Now!

In this unprecedented semester of COVID-19, many students are grappling with the challenges of maintaining motivation and a positive mindset.

To support students with their mental wellbeing and study skills, Library learning skills advisers have partnered with university counsellors to co-teach the below online workshops.

These live, interactive workshops will provide students with practical strategies for mental health, study motivation and time management.

Workshop 1

Applications Open Now for Spring 2020

PACE Mentoring applications are open now for Spring 2020.  The AND Programs team would like to invite you to an information session that will go through the program in more detail.

To participate in the webinar you will need to dial in to the teleconference for audio and the webinar for visuals. Login details are below for you:

Step 1:  Click here to login to the webinar website and enter this code into the ‘I am a participant’ field: 6367393293

Step 2:  Call the Teleconference number: 1800 896 323 and enter the participant code: 6367 393 293#

Please advise AND if you have any accessibility requirements for the session. They can arrange for live captioning if advised in advance.

Positive Action towards Career Engagement (PACE) connects students and jobseekers with disability with mentors from leading Australian businesses.

What is PACE Mentoring?

The program is a four-month commitment between August and November.

Mentors and mentees meet approximately eight times during the four months. During the program, the mentee and mentor will set goals and desired outcomes, discuss experiences, skills, and career pathways.

Activities may include:

• Reviewing resumes and cover letters
• Mock interviews
• Worksite visits
• Networking with other professionals
• Discussing workplace adjustments
• Building confidence
• Mapping career objectives
• Understanding key strengths and abilities

To be eligible for the program, applicants must be over the age of 18 and identify as having disability.

• Wed 20 May 2020 12pm – 1pm (AEST)
• Webinar: http://omnovia.redbackconferencing.com.au/redback; Teleconference: ph. 1800 896 323, Participant Code: 6367 393 293

AND are also running additional sessions, if this time doesn’t suit. Click here to view all session times.

We hope to see you at the session!
Kind regards,

The Programs Team (Philip, Tess, Rosie & Isabel)

Stepping Into & PACE Mentoring

Level 3, 80 Clarence St, Sydney, 2000

Level 1, 2 Queen St, Melbourne, 3000

T 1300 36 36 45  |  W www.and.org.au  |  E applications@and.org.au

Why IDAHOBIT?

30 years ago – on 17 May, 1990 – the World Health Organisation (WHO) removed homosexuality from the Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems.

IDAHOBIT recognises this day, and it’s used to celebrate LGBTIQ people globally, and raise awareness for the work still needed.

Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Education) and Monash LGBTIQ Executive Sponsor, Professor Susan Elliot, says IDAHOBIT is a great expression of the inclusive culture we strive for as a University.

“IDAHOBIT is a day where we publicly state that we stand always with our LGBTIQ colleagues, family, and friends. It’s part of our commitment to ending discrimination,” Professor Elliot says.

“Let’s come together virtually to speak up for those who can’t, share stories and learn from others, and celebrate our diversity. Together, we’ll continue achieving inclusion and equality for all in our community, and contribute to breaking the silence.”

*For more information about the week’s events for students and staff, see Monash’s IDAHOBIT week website.

Getting the Most Out of Your NDIS Plan Information Session for Victorians

• If you find yourself saying “I have my NDIS plan; what are the next steps?”, then this session could be for you!

The Australian Federation of Disability Organisations (AFDO) Disability Loop team has developed an information session for people with disability and their families or carers, called “Getting the Most Out of Your NDIS Plan”. The information and resources you will receive from the session have been designed to assist you to gain maximum benefit when putting your plan into action.

The next information session is being held online in May:

• Part 1 – 20^th May 2020, 11:00am to 12:30pm.
• Part 2 – 22^nd May 2020, 11:00am to 12:30pm.

Information Sessions Online

Because of the need to avoid face-to-face meetings during the COVID-19 pandemic, information sessions are being held online. However, if you don’t have the ability to use the internet, you can telephone into the meeting with a standard landline or mobile phone at normal call costs. More information on how to join the meeting will be provided to you once you register.

How To Get the Most Out of Your NDIS Plan

During the session, they will cover understanding your plan, how to find and work with service providers, options if you have concerns about your plan or when using it, how to prepare for your next plan and how to use your plan to live a better life in the community.

• You will be given many useful suggestions and tips, and feel more empowered and confident in how to implement your NDIS plan.
• Accessible materials and supports are used for attendees. Alternative formats are available if needed. A transcript of the session will be provided afterwards.
• The session will be held in two parts on two different days and will run for about one and a half hours for each part. You are encouraged, if possible, to attend both parts.

You can learn more about our NDIS sessions and register by visiting ADFO’s Disability Loop Events page.

Getting the Most Out of Your NDIS Plan

Wednesday 20th and Friday 22nd May 2020, 11:00am to 12:30pm.

• Please register by 13^th May 2020.

If you have any questions or would like assistance with registering, please email disabilityloop@afdo.org.au or call us on (03) 9662 3324.

Keep inclusion on the agenda while working from home

Due to the unprecedented nature of COVID-19, we will be running our PACE mentoring program virtually this Autumn. We are grateful that technology can allow us to provide our PACE mentoring program in a virtual capacity, allowing organisations to keep access and inclusion on their agenda while working remotely.

Looking after your mental health during the coronavirus outbreak

The rapid spread of COVID-19 worldwide is creating heightened levels of uncertainty and change in both business and personal lives. This in turn, is having adverse effects on mental health.

Beyond Blue recognises and understands the feelings of anxiety, distress and concern many people may be experiencing in relation to the coronavirus (COVID-19) and offers some advice on how to look after your wellbeing.

Find out more about how to look after your mental health during the coronavirus outbreak.

Maintain Your Wellbeing at Home

We hope you’re safe and well during this time and are taking the opportunity to get more connected with yourself, your family and the environment.

Please find below a list of programs and opportunities that will help you maintain your health and wellbeing while at home.

GradWISE Appointments still Available

For all Students and Graduates who are part and wishing to be part of the GradWISE program, all appointments will continue as planned, these appointments will be now be held with your consultant via either Zoom, phone call or FaceTime meetings – your consultant will be in-touch to confirm which medium is best for you.

The decision to pause all on-campus meetings is due to the implemented social  distancing and to enable the safety of not only the GradWISE Students and Graduates but their families and loved ones as well.

We are looking forward to helping you navigate through your student journey towards employment and beyond.

If you are wishing to book-in a time to see what the GradWISE team can do for you please don’t hesitate to contact us via email the team on: GradWISE.enquiries@wiseemployment.com.au