Some of Our Parts

With changing landscapes and new horizons, Victoria’s premier Autism event is coming to you on the 6th, 7th and 8th of August. This year, Etihad Stadium will play host to the Victorian Autism Conference with state-of-the-art facilities, easy access to public transport and parking for 2500 vehicles. This year, delegates will have the opportunity to take part in Masterclasses, hear over 40 speakers across two days and attend the first ever Amaze Gala Dinner.

See the VAC website for more information, the program and registration details.

Hello holiday break! Hope everyone did well in exams and final assessments and are now enjoying a well deserved rest (with lots of blankets and tea of course!).

Here’s a couple of disability-related links to keep you warm.

• Woman Living With Crohn’s and Colostomy Bag Pursues Modeling Career
• Holy Floating Wheelchairs!
• Hunger Games fans should check out some of the artwork paying tribute to District heroes.
• It’s my body, and I’ll bloody well dance if I want to.
• Meet Australia’s new acting Disability Discrimination Commissioner
• Light, sound, smell and Bounce!

Happy holidays every body!

We are pleased to announce that applications for the 2015 intake for the Australian Government Department of Human Services’ National Graduate Program (NGP) are now open!

The department strongly supports workplace diversity and values the contribution of people from diverse backgrounds. We are committed to removing barriers for employees and potential employees with disability throughout the employment life cycle. Currently the department is participating in the Australian Public Service pilot of the RecruitAbility scheme.

During the program we provide our graduates with a range of support networks and learning and development opportunities, and exposure to a wide range of activities and events. The NGP allows students to start their career with one of the biggest government employers in Australia, providing services to most Australians.

Applications are welcome from all fields of study for our Generalist pathway and select disciplines for our Professional pathway. In addition, in 2015 we have some new exciting opportunities for students who have a degree in maths, science or statistics or have experience in research activity in the health and human services area.

Applications close soon, so don’t miss out on this amazing opportunity – apply now.

I have never accepted the concept of “lifters” and “Leaners”, a Ming dynasty phrase which has lately gained currency. It’s such a facile concept. And we all move from one role to the other dozens of times a day.

When I walk down the street with Maureen- and which ever street that is I couldn’t be happier- I’m a leaner. I’m gaining guidance from her by holding her arm. But when that guidance stops, and at the end of a long hard day for her, I put my arm around her in a supportive cuddle, I become a lifter.

I prefer a more positive, and less judgemental society, where everyone’s contribution is accepted and valued. I want entrances where everyone- not just people who use steps- can come in. I communicate with Auslan, so everyone – not just hearing people – can understand. This makes a more inclusive, and more sustainable society.

But many in society force people with disabilities to live within that leaner-lifter rubric. And we would be lifters, if there were not barriers in society which force us to be leaners. I have challenged it all my life, and will do so in this address.

Read the full speech at the Australian Human Rights Commission website.

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

But with budget cuts to the Human Rights Commission from now on his role will be shared among the remaining commissioners, regardless of whether they have lived experience of disability or not.

Watch the ABC feature interview with Graeme, where he explains why that’s a bad idea, why we need a jobs plan not a welfare plan and what he’d like to see Tony Abbott do in the area of disability reform.

Have you ever had a lecturer or tutor who went that extra mile to ensure you were accommodated for in class? The MSA Teaching Awards are now open, and include a new category for Inclusive Teaching.

Make your vote count here!

The Australia Council is inviting applications from Australian cultural leaders and influencers with disability to participate in an intensive leadership development residency 22-26 October 2014.

The Sync Leadership residency will be presented by Jo Verrent, a UK based artist, producer and consultant with disability who specialises in the development of diversity and access, currently Senior Producer with Unlimited.

Sync and its sister programme in the south-east are training programs that focus on the interplay between leadership and disability. The provide fresh perspectives and also challenge deep seated thinking about leadership and disability. Designed to be radically different to any other training programs for people with disability, it takes its inspiration and name from syncopation – the emphases on an unusually un-emphasised beat.

Sync leadership pairs leadership learning and one-to-one coaching:

The members will be given access to leadership training, including five full days of face-to-face development work as a group.

Following the residency each member will be offered a limited number of personal coaching sessions over the following six months with Jo Verrent, course leader and/or Sarah Pickthall (co-creator of Synd) with options ranging from face to face, by telephone, email or msn.

For more information on the residencies and how to apply, please see the Australia Council website.

Find out. Take a biscuit.

For parents and carers living near Mornington, find out more about opportunities for people with a disability at the Respite and Recreation Expo 2014

• Respite Options
• Recreation & Arts Info
• A Large Variety of Stalls

Wednesday 13th August
Peninsula Community Theatre
Cnr Nepean Highway & Wilsons Road
10am – 2pm
Mornington
FREE ENTRY

MELWAYS REF: 145 E2

For more information contact the MOIRA Expo Coordinator:

Ph (03) 8552 2222
Email: respiteexpo@moira.org.au

Australian Network on Disability (AND) are partnering with PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PwC) to attract successful candidates who want to gain meaningful work experience within Assurance this summer. PwC are pioneers within their field and are taking a leadership role in providing opportunities to students with disability to access internship opportunities.

Students studying in all disciplines can apply, but must be in their penultimate year of their degree, and show a genuine passion and suitability to work in Assurance. PwC are known for delivering quality in assurance, tax and advisory services, but their portfolio is growing all the time with opportunities in new markets and new ways to serve existing markets.

PwC’s summer internship program typically runs between November and February for a period of six weeks.

Internship opportunities with PwC are available in the following disciplines:

• All disciplines

Internship opportunities with PwC are available in the following business and services groups:

• Assurance

To be eligible:

• Be in your second/penultimate year of study;
• Be an Australian citizen or a permanent resident;
• Have a strong academic record, i.e. credit average or above; and
• Be registered with Disability Services at your university.

How to register your interest:

Complete and submit the Application Form, along with all of the required documents, via email to:

Cynthia Sasongko, Stepping into… Program Coordinator
applications@and.org.au

Applications close at 11:59pm AEST Sunday 13 July 2014