Skip to Content
Printer-friendly versionSend to friend

this week in diversity

National Monday Update Issue: 
Edition 356, 1 March 2010
  1.  Training 22nd March 2010. Brisbane: Mental Health & Workforce Wellbeing (Organised by the Australian Employers' Network on Disability)
  2. Registrations are now open for Australia's Disability Employment Services 2010 Conference which will be held from Wednesday 16 to Friday 18 June in Hobart at the Grand Chancellor
  3. Latest news and events from the team at ADCET (Australian Disability Clearinghouse on Education and Training)

1. TRAINING 22ND MARCH 2010, BRISBANE: Mental Health & Workforce Wellbeing (Organised by the Australian Employers’ Network on Disability) 

Recent research suggests that 1 in 5 people will experience a mental health issue in any one year, and almost half the population (45.5%) will experience a mental illness within their lifetime. With mental illness so prevalent in our society, it is imperative that employers have an understanding of the impact of mental illness in the workplace, and place an emphasis on promoting mental health and wellbeing at work.

This training session is a new module being offered by the Australian Employers' Network on Disability. It has been designed to assist managers and HR strategists to develop the skills required to respond effectively to mental health and wellbeing issues within the workforce.

Topics covered in the session include:
  • Mental health in context
  • Recruitment
  • Talking early
  • Keeping in touch
  • Returning to work
  • Managing ongoing illness at work
  • Managing risk.
This session will challenge stereotypes, provide the facts about mental health, and guide the improvement of strategies for employees with mental health conditions.

It is ideally suited to line managers, HR advisors, Diversity practitioners, OH&S officers, team leaders and others in supervisory roles.
 
When: Monday 22 March 2010, 9am - 2pm (including lunch)
Where: Brisbane City Council, Development Lounge, North Quay, Brisbane Square
Cost: Members $245 + GST / Non-members $295 + GST
RSVP: by Monday 15th March 2010 to events [at] aend [dot] org [dot] au or phone (02) 9261 3922.
 
Download a registration form in PDF / Word format
Please note that there are only 8 places remaining in this session. Register early to avoid disappointment.
 
 

2. Registrations are now open for AUSTRALIA'S DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT SERVICES 2010 CONFERENCE which will be held from WEDNESDAY 16 TO FRIDAY 18 JUNE IN HOBART at the Hotel Grand Chancellor.

 
 
Sponsorhip and Exhibition Opportunities: The Annual Disability Employment Services Conference presents many opportunities for recognition and valuable exposure to a targeted audience through the capacity to sponsor various segments of the event. A range of flexible sponsorship packages is available which can be tailored to suit your objectives. Please call the Conference Office
(Email: catherine [at] conferenceworks [dot] net [dot] au P. +61 3 9870 2611) for further information or check out the packages online.
 

3. LATEST NEWS & EVENTS FROM THE TEAM AT ADCET (Australian Disability Clearinghouse On Education And Training)


Disability Employment Services 2010  From 1 March 2010, new employment services for people with a disability, injury or health condition will be introduced to better help people prepare for, find and keep a job.

There will be 66 organisations from more than 1100 sites delivering Disability Employment Services Program A which is for job seekers with disability, injury or health condition who require the assistance of a Disability Employment Service but are not expected to need long-term support in the workplace.

The organisations include Government-owned provider CRS Australia, and a range of small and large private sector and community-based organisations.

Another 209 organisations which currently deliver Disability Employment Network services will deliver Disability Employment Services Program B from about 1150 sites. Disability Employment Services Program B is for job seekers with a permanent disability and with an assessed need for more long-term regular ongoing support in the workplace.

Individual participants or their employers with queries about the introduction of Disability Employment Services can call the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations customer service line on 1800 805 260. A full list of successful organisations by Employment Service Areas is available at http://www.workplace.gov.au
 
 
 
Scholarship: The Deafness Forum 2010 Educational Scholarship  The scholarships are available to students planning to undertake further education and are expressly designed to support students who are deaf or hearing impaired by contributing to ongoing costs. Each Year Deafness Forum provides these scholarships to:
  • Provide financial assistance to Deaf and hearing impaired people to enhance their participation in further education
  • Increase the number of Deaf and hearing impaired students in further education
  • And in particular to increase education opportunities for Deaf and hearing impaired students from the indigenous community, regional communities and non-English speaking backgrounds.
In 2010 a scholarship will be available for support such as tuition, text materials or any other support considered necessary and approved by the Selection Panel for the Scholar(s) to successfully undertake an educational program. Typically around $1500 will be provided to any one Scholar. Support services such as interpreting, transcription typing and purchase of assistive listening devices or other services deemed the responsibility of the tertiary institution, under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992, will NOT be considered under this scholarship. Scholarship recipients will receive complimentary membership of the Deafness Forum for 12 months.

To download an application form visit - http://www.deafnessforum.org.au/index.php?q=educational-scholarships
 
 
ADCET Fact Sheets (new and updated)
 
 
 
With the ever increasing likelihood of accidents, fires, flooding and terrorism emergency evacuation plans are vital. 
 
By adopting an inclusive approach to teaching and assessment, you can meet the needs of most students.
 
Fieldwork, work placements and study-abroad trips offer rich learning opportunities in a range of disciplines, and with careful planning, can be made accessible to most students with disability.
 
You will be most successful in finding and succeeding in a rewarding job if you take the time to: Understand yourself and what career suits you .
 
The purpose of these guidelines is to identify strategies for working effectively with clients who have mental health conditions.
 
Most people with disability can be admitted to a course in the same way, and using the same criteria, as any other applicant.
 
Students have different learning styles and a range of academic, cognitive and physical abilities. Universal Design benefits all students and limits the adjustments required to accommodate disability.
 
Recent developments in on-line learning can help create a more inclusive education for students with disabilities.