Review addresses lack of people with disability on boards
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Australian Network on Disability monthly newsletter
Welcome to our latest update. I’m thrilled to announce that in the past year our network has grown from 375 to 450 members. Congratulations to Norton Rose Fulbright Australia on becoming our 450th member. This substantial increase in membership illustrates businesses’ growing commitment to removing barriers that prevent people with disability from finding employment. We are grateful for all our amazing members do to improve inclusion and accessibility for people with disability.
In this issue:
● Proven strategies for inclusive leadership models
● Government review of board-appointment-processes
● Take part in our revamped 2023 Access & Inclusion Index
● Applications closing for our Directing Change Mentoring program
● Government releases new DES Framework
● Latest disability sector news
Research identifies leadership models that remove employment barriers
Australian Network on Disability board director Donna Purcell recently analysed 22 of the world’s largest companies to identify the key factors that lead to the successful and mainstream employment for people with disability.
As part of her Churchill Fellowship research into leadership models that remove barriers to employment for people with disability, Donna travelled to the US, UK, France, and Switzerland to interview leaders from organisations including Microsoft, Vodafone, GSK, LVMH, National Health Service (UK), HSBC UK, Lloyds, Louis Vuitton, Loreal, and Nestle.
Her report makes 10 recommendations that will address the current unemployment and underemployment of people with disability in Australia, and outlines proven strategies that are making a difference in other countries and organisations.
Achieving greater diversity on public sector boards
Australian Network on Disability welcomed the opportunity to make a submission to the Australian Governments’ Review of Public Sector Board Appointment Processes.
The Review will examine the role of public sector boards, how skills and standards are set, transparent processes for board appointments, the selection of board members and improving the diversity of board membership.
We strongly support greater inclusion of people with disability on boards. Our submission outlines recommendations that will examine the current representation of people with disability on public sector boards in Australia and highlights initiatives to ensure these boards become more diverse, inclusive, and representative of the communities they serve.
Fastrack your access and inclusion journey
In 2020, global clothing manufacturer Hanes Australasia set out to understand how accessible and inclusive their organisation was for employees and customers with disability by using Australian Network on Disability’s Access & Inclusion Index.
The assessment and national benchmarking tool kick-started their journey towards greater awareness and the adoption of inclusive practices across their business.
All members are welcome to join our webinar on 15 August from 12pm to 12.45pm to hear about;
● Hanes Australasia’s journey with the Access & Inclusion Index
● How you can use the Index to your advantage
● How to get involved in the benchmarking process for 2023
Our 2023 Access & Inclusion Index has some great improvements including updated questions, a new digital platform to capture information easily and different levels of reporting to suit your organisation’s requirements and budget.
The 2023 Access & Inclusion Index is now open. Find out more about the Access & Inclusion Index or contact our Index lead.
Are you looking for a professional development opportunity for leaders with disability who want to take the next step in their career?
Why not try our Directing Change Mentoring program – an 8 month mentoring program aimed at leaders with disability and leaders in the governance space.
Applications close on July 23.
Find more information for leaders with disability here
Find more information for board members and mentoring here mentees
Government releases new framework to assess DES providers
The Government has released a new DES Quality Framework aimed improving the way disability employment services are delivered to people with disability in Australia.
The Framework is an ongoing initiative which prioritises the views and experiences of people with disability. Providers will be assessed on four elements which focus on the quality of the services provided to participants and employers.
In the second half of the year DES providers, participants and disability organisations will be invited to provide feedback to further refine the Framework.
Latest disability sector news
● Court ruling highlights employers’ obligations under the Disability Discrimination Act
● Government commits to a single source of national disability data
● Deloitte report labels lack of NDIS service for Fist Nations people “a national disaster’
● Allianz backs D&I quotas
● Australia takes home 13 gold medals in the 2023 Special Olympics World Games in Germany
Welcome to new members
We are thrilled to announce that we now have 450 members and we’re delighted to welcome the new members who joined our rapidly growing network since May.
SILVER MEMBERS
ACT Justice and Community Safety Directorate
Norton Rose Fulbright Australia
Tetra Tech International Development
Western Power
BRONZE MEMBERS
City of Newcastle
CoAct
Hospitality Disability Network
Systra ANZ
Become a member
The Australian Network on Disability is a member-based national powerhouse of private, public and for-purpose organisations actively committed to inclusion of people with disability in business. Find out about the benefits of membership.
