Develop an Access &Inclusion Plan with our Masterclass
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Australian Network on Disability Monthly Newsletter
Welcome to our monthly newsletter
Access to workplace adjustments is essential to ensure the inclusion of people with disability in the workforce. To improve the workplace adjustment experience for everyone, Australian Network on Disability is researching how different organisations provide and support workplace adjustments for job candidates and employees.
The two Australian Network on Disability Workplace Adjustments Surveys – one for employers and one for individuals – will provide us with evidence-based insights and data that will help shape the services and programs we provide, and potentially influence government policy. You can find details of both surveys below.
I greatly appreciate your contribution and your valuable insights, and I look forward to sharing the research results with you.
In this issue:
• Take part in our workplace adjustment surveys
• Develop your Access & Inclusion Plan with our Masterclass
• Report calls on businesses to remove workplace barriers
• We are hiring. We’re looking for 8-10 talented individuals
• Entries now open for the Simply Open awards
• Upcoming disability confidence training sessions
• Tell us about your Disability Employee Network
• Find out the latest disability sector news
Take part in our workplace adjustment surveys
Survey for organisations
We have invited one person per organisation to respond to our Australian Network on Disability Workplace Adjustments Survey for Organisations. The survey was recently sent to the primary contact at our 450 member organisations. The closing date for this survey is Friday 18 August at 12am.
Survey for individuals
We also invite people with disability, a mental health condition, or long-term illness to respond to our Workplace Adjustments Survey for Individuals. You can access the Workplace Adjustments Survey for individuals here.
Completing the survey will also put you in the draw to win one of three $50 gift-cards. The closing date for responses to the survey for individuals is Friday 25 August at 12am.
If you require these surveys in a different format, in paper, or you require an adjustment, please contact our team on 02 8270 9206 or research@and.org.au
Develop your Access & Inclusion Plan with our Masterclass
Does your organisation need support to become more accessible for employees and customers? Our Access & Inclusion Masterclass helps organisations to scope, develop and launch an Access & Inclusion Plan.
The 3 month Masterclass comprises eight sessions ranging from 45 to 90 minutes, all held online. Whether you have not yet started, or you are unsure of your next steps, we can help.
Our next course begins on August 16. Find out about our Access and Inclusion Plan Masterclass or fill in an application by tomorrow, August 12.
If you have any queries, please contact memberexperienceteam@and.org.au
Report calls on businesses to remove workplace barriers
The Business Council of Australia, in partnership Australian Network on Disability, recently released the key findings of its survey: Report on improving employment outcomes for people with disability.
The BCA surveyed its members to examine existing strategies covering recruitment, retention, and advancement of people with disability.
“Ninety-two percent of BCA members told us they want to recruit more people with a disability to their workforce,” BCA CEO Jennifer Westacott said.
“We know our members are committed to the employment of people with disability. However, it is clear from our survey that there is a lag in translating this into action that enables a meaningful increase in employment outcomes.”
Australian Network on Disability CEO Corene Strauss told SBS News that many businesses are open to making their workplaces more inclusive but simply don’t know where to start.
"Once they can unlock some of the unintended barriers, the process to build an inclusive organisation for employees and customers is a game changer. And they need not fear it," she said.
Read the report on improving employment outcomes for people with disability here.
At Australian Network on Disability we are constantly coming up with new and innovative ways to increase diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We work closely with businesses and government on projects that shape the future of access and inclusion in Australia.
We are looking for 8 individuals to work on the new project which will contribute to the successful delivery of Australian Network on Disability’s pioneering projects that establish new standards and innovative practices in disability inclusion in Australia. Roles include a project manager, disability consultants, a mentor lead, and project liaisons.
Full job descriptions can be found on our website. For more information, contact Guy Reynolds at guy@sodatalent.com.au or 0405 197 446.
Enter the Simply Open awards to improve the lives of people with disability
Do you have a life hack that has helped you overcome some of the barriers or exclusion that you face?
The Simply Open Awards is a global competition, run for and by people with disability, that celebrates the innovative ideas that help people with disability overcome barriers.
The awards are also open to families, friends, carers, and community groups. Australian Network on Disability is partnering with awards organiser Open Inclusion, and we encourage Australians to enter these awards.
Enter the Simply Open awards here. Entries close at 23.59 on Saturday 2 September 2023
Upcoming disability confidence training sessions
Online facilitated training is a great way to improve your knowledge and your disability confidence. There are courses tailored for different areas of your business, providing value to your entire workforce.
We have availability for the following Disability Confident Workforce sessions. And for Tuesday, August 15, we have a special offer of 2 employees for the price of 1!
- Tuesday, August 15 2023, 10am – 12pm (Sydney time)
- Tuesday, September 5 2023, 1pm – 3pm (Sydney time)
- Tuesday, September 19 2023, 10am – 12pm (Sydney time)
- Tuesday, October 17 2023, 10am – 12pm (Sydney time)
- Tuesday, October 31 2023, 1:30pm – 3:30pm (Sydney time)
- Tuesday, November 14 2023, 10am – 12pm (Sydney time)
- Tuesday, November 28 2023, 1pm – 3pm (Sydney time)
- Tuesday, December 12 2023, 10am – 12pm (Sydney time)
Price for members: $195 per person. Price for non-members: $225 per person.
Tell us about your Disability Employee Network
Disability Employee Networks (DENs) play an important part in helping employees to bring their whole selves to work. Made up of employees with disability, allies, and disability champions (senior leaders committed to disability inclusion), these networks provide a safe space for employees to connect with each other and raise awareness among the broader employee group.
They can also help drive positive change within the organisation by providing advice on policies, events, and other matters through a lived experience lens. We are strong supporters of DENs, and your Relationship Manager can provide guidance and support, whether you are just starting out or whether you would like to refresh and reinvigorate your DEN.
Each month we would like to shine a light on our members’ DENs. If you would like your organisation’s DEN featured in an upcoming edition of our Newsletter, please reach out to clara.pirani@and.org.au for more information.
To get things started, this month you can read about Australian Network on Disability's DEN here.
Latest disability sector news
• NSW Government offers $1 million in grants to support disability advocacy
• Royal Commission releases report to end restrictive practices
• ILO position paper outlines the inclusion of people with disability in organisations
• Valuable 500 story: What's measured is managed; The power of reporting
• ABC report: What is the disability sunflower lanyard?
We are thrilled to announce we now have more than 450 members and we’re delighted to welcome the new members who joined our rapidly growing network since June.
SILVER MEMBERS
Araluen Centre
State Library Victoria
BRONZE MEMBERS
McInnes Wilson Lawyers
Silverchain
Our Members
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.
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