Some of Our Parts

Are you a student or recent graduate with a vision impairment? Would you like to help improve access to graphical materials in university educational materials?

Graphs, maps, schematics, diagrams, cartoons, non-standard scripts and many other visual representations can be used to convey important information in study materials. A research team from Monash and Deakin Universities is investigating how vision impaired University students access these materials and how the current processes can be improved.

You will be asked to share your experiences and opinions in an interview up to one hour in length at your place of study or via phone in November 2014. Participation is entirely voluntary and confidential, as detailed in the attached explanatory statement.

Responses from the interviews will be used to develop a model for improved provision of accessible graphics which will be promoted throughout Australian Universities. Participants will have the opportunity to register to trial this new model for their 2015 study materials.

To get involved and help make a difference, please contact Leona Holloway at leona.holloway@monash.edu or (03) 9903 2401.

KPMG has been engaged by the Australian Government Department of Education to conduct an evaluation of the Disability Support Program. The Disability Support Program is one of the Australian Government’s key responses to assisting people with disability and removing barriers that may be preventing access and participation.

The evaluation will use a variety of methods and tools to collect information including this online survey.  The survey asks broad questions of your experience as a student with disability at university and you do not need to have knowledge of the Disability Support Program. The survey is entirely voluntary and please be assured your responses will be confidential.

Interviews (face to face or telephone) will also assist in the evaluation of the program. The final question of the survey asks if you would be willing to participate in a short interview with one of KPMG’s team. Your participation, whilst very much valued is optional. If you would like to be a part of the interviews would you be so kind as to indicate “Yes” and then complete the contact details as KPMG will need a way to contact you. Guidance about how KPMG will store and use your information can be found in KPMG’s privacy statement.

We greatly appreciate your participation in this survey as we understand this is busy part of the year for you.

Follow the link to the online student survey.

A first stage development presentation by The Delta Project of Under My Skin’; a new dance work exploring the layers in which we shroud ourselves to present to the worlds in which we exist, to reveal /or not reveal what lies beneath.

The Delta Project is a new Melbourne based dance theatre company of deaf and hearing performers, exploring the technical and physical manifestations of bringing two worlds together through visual and sound and creating a performance accessible for both a hearing and deaf audience.

This event will have Auslan interpreters and a Q and A forum after each session.

FREE Showings@ Sylvia Staelhi Theatre, Dancehouse, 150 Princes Street, Carlton North, VIC 3054

Dates: 24 – 25 October (With Q and A sessions on the working processes of this development on both nights.)
Time: 7pm
Cost: Free (bookings are essential)
Bookings: click here
For further info contact Fiona Cook: 03 86406006

Each year Aspergers Victoria hosts a panel evening where members of the Adult Group present on a theme, followed by a Q&A session with the audience. These evenings are popular with parents anticipating the future for their children, and adults seeking to benefit from the experiences of others.

There are many reasons why a young adult might want or need to move out of their parent’s home: to be closer to work, to set your own schedule, to develop a relationship, to avoid conflict with other family members, to share with a housemate, or because ageing parents wish to retire.

However there are also many issues and skills to be learnt: domestic chores including shopping, cooking and laundry, managing financial commitments, looking after the property, possible loneliness, coping with unexpected issues, feeling overwhelmed by new demands and the possibility of being exploited.

Our four guest speakers James Fahey, Nik Nikoliev, Penny Robinson and Chris Varney have successfully faced the independence issue, or are facing it now, and will present short segments about their experiences, before answering questions from the audience.

This is a great opportunity, whether you are a young adult Aspie considering becoming independent, or a parent wondering how to assist your family member with this major milestone.

Wednesday October 29, 2014
7.30—9.30 pm, followed by a light supper. Doors open at 7pm
The Nerve Centre, 54 Railway Rd, Blackburn VIC 3130
Aspergers Vic members: $ 15 Non-members: $ 30*
Book and pay online at www.trybooking.com/FWRK

“You’re a really nice computer.”

Happy Friday every body! It’s going to be a cracker of a weekend, so make sure you get some sunshine (and study for exams of course…).

There’s a whole bunch of news this week about the visibility of people with disabilities in the media.

• Where are they all? In children’s books? On TV? On The Apprentice?
• Well here are 10 amazing characters who happen to have a disability.

In other disability news…

• Different bodies, different clothes?
• More wonderful bodies in a fashion shoot.
• A panel discussion on art, bodies and disability.
• Thinking about breaking into politics?
• A personal narrative on mental health.
• Think you knew blindness?

The I CAN Network and Foundation for Young Australians (FYA) are partnering to deliver a personal development experience ‘Worlds of Work’ (WOW) for students with high-functioning Autism or Asperger’s from Tuesday 28 – Thursday 30 October.

WOW is aimed at Year 10-12 students. It provides participants with a week of personal development and exposure to different career paths in the CBD, such as in software development, technology, business, consulting, law, health, fitness, community development and many more. Over the three days students respond to the question ‘What does it take to succeed in life and work?’

The upcoming week with I CAN Network will be run by FYA facilitators experienced in working with students with Autism Spectrum Conditions. Recently FYA and I CAN ran a successful WOW program for students at the Northern School for Autism.

WOW details

• Tuesday 28 – Thursday 30 October (9am – to approx 3.30pm each day)
• Vincent 2, Level 1, 349 Lt Bourke St, Melbourne
• Facilitators: Patrick and Mandy

How do you register?

• Email admin@icannetwork.com.au before Thursday 23 October
• Make the $135 payment via http://www.trybooking.com/103304
• Bring the attached parental consent form to WOW on Tuesday 28 October
• 

With exams only only two weeks away, it’s time to start thinking about some self-care strategies to support your mental health and well-being and  carry you through to exam success!

The Victorian Department of Education has put together a Strategies for Students document with some handy hints on looking after yourself under stress.

ALSO – did you know that Monash Counselling Services are now available online??

Former Federal Disability Discrimination Commissioner, Graeme Innes was a significant driver behind some of the most significant reforms in human rights and disability advocacy both nationally and internationally.

Mr Innes qualified as a lawyer, and then spent a year attending thirty job interviews without success. He took a job as a clerical assistant in the public service, and recently ended a nine year term as a Commissioner at the Australian Human Rights Commission.

Read his top ten tips for getting a job for people with disabilities.

The young carer bursary programme application open SOON on Monday 13th October. These bursaries will assist young carers in greatest need, to continue to study and to relieve the financial pressure for them to undertake part-time work while studying and caring.

Who is eligible?

Young carers aged 25 years and under (born in 1990 or later), may apply for a 2015 bursary if they are:

• studying an approved course either full-time or part-time during 2015 at:
• secondary school
• TAFE
• an apprenticeship, or
• an undergraduate course at university.
• an Australian citizen or Australian permanent resident
• not receiving another bursary or scholarship

Young carers may also be eligible if they are not currently enrolled in study or training in 2015 but can prove enrolment if granted the bursary.

How do you apply?

Applications for 2015 bursaries will open on the Monday 13 October 2014 and close on Sunday 9 November 2014. An on-line application form will be available from 13 October which is linked to the Young Carer website. An independent selection panel will assess applications and select recipients based on greatest need.

For more information visit www.youngcarers.net.au ; email ycbursaries@carersaustralia.com.au or ring 1800 756 238.