Some of Our Parts

Hidden Disability Sunflower Scheme – Have Your Say!

In 2016, the Hidden Disability Sunflower Scheme was designed and launched when London Gatwick Airport asked “How can we recognise that one of our passengers may have a non-obvious disability?”.

A simple sunflower design was created on a green background for a lanyard – a subtle but visible sign to enable airport staff to identify that the wearer (or someone with them) may require some extra help, time, or assistance when moving through the airport.

Wearing the Hidden Disability Sunflower discreetly indicates to people around the wearer including staff, colleagues and health professionals that they may need additional support, help or a little more time.

Since its launch in 2016, it has now been adopted globally by major airports and venues and in the UK, by many supermarkets, railway and coach stations, leisure facilities, the NHS, a number of police, fire and ambulance services, and an increasing number of small and large businesses and organisations.

Sunflower Scheme Launched in Australia

The Sunflower has been launched in Australia and is recognised in the MCG, educational institutes Go Tafe and Wodonga Tafe, all airports, Yarra trams, V/Line and a number of museums in Australia.

This initiative is designed to help and support both students and staff with hidden disabilities who might need the extra assistance or time.

It may also help raise awareness of the wide variety and spectrum of hidden disabilities.

A Sunflower is not only for those with hidden disabilities to wear. Allies can also wear it (there are Sunflower “Can I help?” badges and stickers) to let people know that if they choose to approach a Sunflower wearer, they will be supported, respected and given the patience they need.

Have Your Say on the Sunflower!

Please let us know what YOU think about this scheme.

• Please have your say by giving your feedback on this form.

(*NOTE: this form is anonymous, so please be as honest as you can.*)

PACE Mentoring Spring 2022: Applications Open!

AND is excited to announce that applications for PACE Mentoring Spring 2022 are now open!

• Are you a jobseeker or student with disability, mental health condition or chronic illness?
• Are you looking for career guidance, building disability confidence and employability skills?

PACE Mentoring is a nation-wide, free industry mentoring program that matches jobseekers and students with disability with experienced professionals from leading Australian businesses and organisations.

What is PACE Mentoring Program?

When you sign up for the PACE Mentoring program, you’ll be connected with a mentor from one of AND’s member organisations who has advice and wisdom to share.

They’ll find the right mentor for you, based on your location, the industry you’re looking to work in, your goals and other factors.

The 4-months program is a great opportunity to:

• Build confidence
• Develop employability skills
• Practice interview skills
• Network with other professionals
• Visiting worksites
• Learn some top tips to get a head start on your career
• Experience professional and personal development
• Mentoring opportunities are in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra, Perth and Adelaide.
• There are also virtual mentoring opportunities for students and jobseekers based in other locations across Australia.

Are You Eligible?

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

AND welcomes previous Stepping Into applicants and PACE mentees to re-apply for the program.

AND accepts applications from jobseekers with all types of disability including, but not limited to:

• Physical disability
• Mental health conditions
• Sensory impairments and immunological conditions.
• Find out more about disability types here.

How Do You Apply?

Submit an online application form here by midnight 3 July 2022 (Sunday).

Applied for a previous round of PACE Mentoring?

There is no limitation on how many times you can apply or participate in the program if you still meet the criteria, and AND can copy your previous application over if you reach out to them.

Moodle Review – Have Your Say!

The Monash Education Portfolio is conducting a review of Moodle and would like to work with students, to understand how you use the Monash learning management system (LMS) and hear your ideas on how the Moodle experience can be improved.

• All attendees will receive a $20 voucher

The online event will be held via zoom on:

• Wednesday May 11am to 12.30pm
• Please find go to the registration page to have your say

Study Stress and Support Seeking Monash University Students Registered with Disability Support Services

This research aims to better understand perceived study stress and support. We are seeking feedback from university students across both gender and disability.

What is Involved

• A 20-minute online survey answering questionnaires about study stress and support seeking

Criteria for Participation

• Aged 18 years or over
• Students from Monash University
• Currently registered with Disability Support Services

Link to Survey

Next Week is Pride Week!

Pride Week 2022 coincides with the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOBIT) on 17 May, and provides an important opportunity to bring our community together to share stories, learn, teach and to celebrate our LGBTIQA+ community.

• Pride Week commences with the Pride Flag being raised concurrently at each of our Victorian campuses on Monday 16 May at 10am.

Pride Flag Raising Ceremony

• Monday 16 May, 10am
• Caulfield, Clayton, Parkville and Peninsula

Join us at each of our Victorian campuses as we raise the Pride Flag to mark the start of Pride Week 2022. Hear how Monash is fostering a culture of inclusion and respect, and join your campus community and allies for morning tea.

The Pride Flag will fly at each of our campuses across the week, and is an important symbol of our solidarity with the LGBTIQA+ community.

Register now

• LGBTIQA+ Ally Training, as well as the new student-delivered Pronoun Pro Training, are also running during this week.

I CAN Network Resources to Help Young People with Executive Functioning Challenges

The I CAN Network have made available online a downloadable tip sheet, “Executive Functioning & Anxiety: Insights & Tips for Adults Who Support Autistic Young People“, which also contains tips for the classroom and home, along with recommended resources.

They have also included a complementary tip sheet, ‘Getting Things Done – Tips For Our Younger Autistic Peers’ which contains practical advice for young people (see below).

In addition to these Autistic-crafted tip sheets on Executive Functioning, I CAN Network also have an array of other tip sheets to support the wellbeing of Autistic young people including:

• Managing Overwhelm (Meltdowns, Shutdowns & Burnouts)
• Support for Autistic LGBTIQA+ Young People
• Nurturing Self-Esteem Pride In Autistic Young People and more

Key Insights to Helping People with Executive Functioning Challenges

• APPRECIATE THAT EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING ISN’T JUST PLANNING, ORGANISING AND TIME MANAGEMENT.

It also includes prioritisation, problem solving & flexible thinking, working memory, self awareness & self regulation, task initiation to task completion, attention and self advocacy. Many of us Autistic/Neurodivergent people find these things quite difficult.

• RECOGNISE THE IMPORTANCE OF LANGUAGE & MINDSETS.

Often young people who have poor executive functioning skills are labelled disorganised, messy, resistant, underachievers, daydreamers, manipulative or disruptive. But they are really just young people who lack skills to be able to carry out certain functions without meaningful support and understanding.

• UNDERSTAND THAT ANXIETY AND EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING ARE INTERCONNECTED.

When your anxiety goes up, your executive functioning capability goes down and with it, your performance. This reduces your confidence and your motivation, which can create a downward spiral unless support is put in place. Reducing anxiety for your young person – through things like sensory accommodations and clarity around expectations, for instance – is central to supporting their executive functioning capability.

• BE THAT SAFE PERSON.

Your young person/student might feel confused, frustrated and embarrassed that everyone else around them seems to have solid executive functioning skills and they do not. You are more likely to be able to help if the young person trusts you, feels safe and does not think you’ll judge them.

• DEVELOP A COLLABORATIVE PLAN WITH YOUR YOUNG PERSON.

Work with your young person on a plan. Quick, simple changes that can be implemented every day are likely to be more effective than something that takes two weeks to learn, but the young person gives up before it becomes a habit. It should be a team effort, the young person doesn’t necessarily have to make all the changes. Start with what is getting in the way the most, or where the young person wants to start.

• CONTINUE TO SEEK OUT AUTISTIC & OTHER NEURODIVERGENT VOICES.

Executive functioning and its impact on daily living and sense of self are common themes among Autistic/Neurodivergent authors, bloggers and vloggers (see links embedded in the tip sheets below as examples). Seeking out these insights will not only help you understand and support your young person more effectively, it will help reassure your young person that they are not alone.

• Find out more about these resources and other helpful programs at I CAN Network online

Have You Been Diagnosed with ADHD in Adulthood?

There is a research project to better understand your experiences and the types of supports you want!

Researchers from the University of Canberra are looking for university students aged 18 and older who have been diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood.

This research seeks to discover the daily challenges of ADHD and how these challenges are being addressed in the university setting.

Dates and times for participating are flexible and involve 60- minute interviews with the researcher and the completion of a 5-minute survey both conducted online.

Participant Requirements

• Students who are 18 years or older
• Are currently attending an Australian university
• Been diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood by a health professional
• Speak English as a first language

Contact Information

If you meet the criteria and are willing to participate, please contact the email address: u3202854@uni.canberra.edu.au

• This project has been approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee of the University of Canberra (HREC – 11599)

Job Opportunity for Students: eExams Assistant

AUSLAN Interpreted Theatre Performance on Clayton Campus

Monash Uni Student Theatre (MUST) are thrilled to be presenting an AUSLAN interpreted performance on campus next month – Friday May 6 2022!

MUST are presenting the first full-scale Melbourne production of Kill Climate Deniers, a riotous black comedy by David Finnigan;

“…one of the most daring and important plays of the decade.” (Pleasance Theatre, UK).

Part action-movie, part documentary, part manic farce and part rave; KCD marries madcap satire with deeply urgent conversations about our future – all accompanied by a pumping techno soundtrack!

As Fleetwood Mac take to the stage in our nation’s capital, armed eco-terrorists storm the building and take the government hostage, threatening to kill them unless Australia ends climate change. Tonight!

Now beleaguered Environment Minister Gwen Malkin has no choice but to grab a gun and stand up for her ideals – one terrorist at a time.

• Directed by Yvonne Virsik
• Venue: The Alexander Theatre, 48 Exhibition Walk, Monash University, CLAYTON
• Season: May 5 – 7, AUSLAN interpreted performance May 6, 7.30pm
• Tickets ON SALE NOW: msa.monash.edu/kcd
• Run time: 90 minutes, no interval

Are You a Deaf or Hard of Hearing Performing Artist?

There is a call out for all scriptwriters, actors, directors, and theatre producers with the plan to put on a show in mid 2023.

Soundfair will assemble a creative team to write and produce an original piece of work that portrays the richness of Deaf and hard of hearing living experiences.

If you’re interested, get in touch at lourdes@soundfair.org.au.