Disability Employment Australia The peak body for Australia's Disability Employment Services Represent the interests of members at a national level to government and other stakeholders. Get a “better deal” for people with disability participating in the workforce and educate the public about issues related to disability employment.

Lives independently in his own apartment Works 2 days a week as a recreation officer’s assistant Performs with one drama group and one dance group Patron of e.motion21 a dance company for children and young adults with Down syndrome MCs for a mixed ability dance club, Street Festivals and co MCs Corporate Events Hip Hop Dance Group teaching children and young adults Adhoc performances contracts In relationship Paul Matley 34 years old

Far away there in the sunshine are my highest aspirations. I may not reach them, but I can look up and see their beauty, believe in them, and try to follow where they lead. Louisa May Alcott widely known as the writer of Little Women

Dare To Dream The Environment makes it possible: UN convention – Article 27 – Open Employment Disability Service Act – Disability Service Standards Disability Employment Services National Disability Insurance Scheme Access Choice and Control

Supported Open Employment Disability Employment Services in Australia

Unemployment

Open (or supported) employment in Australia Funded by Government and outsourced to different organisations

Disability Employment Services Employment Support Service Disability Management Service Job Access Employer Assistance Fund

Employment Support Service Permanent disability Requires long-term (more than 6 months) employment support 18 months (can extend to 24) of employment preparation assistance Ongoing workplace support for as long as required Most people with ID participate in ESS

Disability Management Service People with temporary or short- term disability Not likely to require ongoing employment support after 6 months 18 months (can extend to 24) employment preparation assistance Flexible, ad-hoc, on the job support can be provided for episodic conditions Very few people with ID participate in DMS

Job Access Workplace modifications Adaptive technology and equipment Co-worker education for mental health issues Specialist advice Funded by the Government so no cost to consumers

Employer Assistance Fund Wage subsidy funding for employers $1650 inc GST for Wage Subsidy Scheme $5700 inc GST for Wage Connect Subsidy Funds Job Access modifications Auslan for employment

DES Locations StatesTotal NSW599 VIC484 QLD436 SA224 WA189 NT56 TAS53 ACT9 Total2,050

Characteristics

The DES Model EngagementAssessmentAction PlanEmployment Post Placement Support Ongoing Support

Eligible School Leavers To be eligible to commence in DES as an Eligible School Leaver, the job seeker must be: in the last 6 months of full time secondary school and considering post‐school options/employment opportunities, or a full‐time student who is participating in a school based Apprenticeship which is recognised by an Australian Apprenticeship Centre and a training contract is lodged in the Training Recognition System (TRS), or

Eligible School Leavers a full‐time student who is intending to work part‐time outside of school hours at award‐based wages, or first registering with a DES provider within the 12 months of leaving full time secondary school, or first registering with a DES provider directly from participating in a recognised State or Commonwealth funded transition to work program. AND….

Eligible School Leavers of legal working age, assessed by the provider as having capacity to work for a minimum of 8 hours a week with the assistance of a DES provider, not currently employed for 8 hours or more per week,

Eligible School Leavers able to provide suitable evidence from their current educational authority recognising the student’s need for educational support due to the nature of their disability, does not have a current and valid JCA with an employment services referral*

Employability Skills 1 Communication 2 Team work 3 Problem-solving 4 Initiative and enterprise 5 Planning and organising 6 Self-management 7 Learning 8 Technology (Source: Business Council of Australia & Australian Chamber of Commerce & Industry 2002 )

Pathway Directly approaching providers Schools have relationships with providers Direct registrations do not require a Job Capacity Assessment Referral from Centrelink via Job Capacity Assessment Volunteering to participate in DES does not trigger a review of a person’s DSP

Eligibility - Post School Leaving Working aged up to 65 Australian citizen or resident Has a work capacity of at least 8 hours per week Medical evidence to support disability

What are the options after secondary school? The move from school to employment represents a critical life transition for young people - even more so for people with disability Open (competitive) employment through DES, in our view, offers the best pathway towards improved economic and social outcomes. Natural inclusion in and contribution to the communities they live and work.

What are the options after secondary school? In Australia many young people with disability are transitioned into Australian Disability Enterprises (ADE) – ‘Sheltered Workshops’ People who work in an ADE are paid wages in line with their productivity ‘not based on the award wage system’ Being included in an excluded group is not true social inclusion

What are the options after secondary school? There are people working in ADEs and 75% of those people have an intellectual disability. 60% of people with intellectual disability are not employed

Open employment through DES offers the best pathway towards improved economic and social outcomes

Find a Provider Use the Disability Employment Australia website Or use the Australian Job Search Website