1 WORKPLACE MODIFICATIONS EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE FUND Graham O’Neil Workplace Support Consultant Multiple Solutions Disability Employment Symposium 24 October 2014

2 Outline Employment Assistance Fund (EAF) Employment Assistance Fund (EAF) Job Access Job Access Disability specific accommodations Disability specific accommodations Case studies Case studies

3 The Workplace Modifications Scheme 1988: 1988: The scheme commenced with Federal funding of $1 million /yr Scope: Scope: To provide reimbursement of the costs of workplace modifications & special or adaptive equipment To provide reimbursement of the costs of workplace modifications & special or adaptive equipment Replaced by Employment Assistance Fund Replaced by Employment Assistance Fund

4 Employment Assistance Fund Helps people with a disability and mental health condition by providing financial assistance to purchase work related modifications and services Helps people with a disability and mental health condition by providing financial assistance to purchase work related modifications and services For people who are about to start a job or currently working For people who are about to start a job or currently working Assistance to find and prepare for work – job search equipment Assistance to find and prepare for work – job search equipment

5 EAF may reimburse the cost of work related modifications and services including: Worksite Assessment Worksite Assessment Physical changes to work environment Physical changes to work environment Work vehicles Work vehicles Adaptive equipment for the workplace Adaptive equipment for the workplace Information & communication devices Information & communication devices AUSLAN interpreting AUSLAN interpreting Specialist services for employees with specific learning disorders & mental health conditions Specialist services for employees with specific learning disorders & mental health conditions Disability Awareness training Disability Awareness training Mental Health First Aid training Mental Health First Aid training

6 Who can apply? Who can apply? Employers & the self employed Employers & the self employed Employees with disability Employees with disability Employment Service Providers Employment Service Providers Not required to be DSP recipient Not required to be DSP recipient May not require worksite assessment May not require worksite assessment “Unlimited” funding per application (except building modifications: $33K) “Unlimited” funding per application (except building modifications: $33K)

7 Eligibility Criteria Must have a permanent disability or lasts more than two years Must have a permanent disability or lasts more than two years Work minimum 8 hours p/wk for at least 13 weeks or 20 hours p/wk for self employed (or intention to do so) Work minimum 8 hours p/wk for at least 13 weeks or 20 hours p/wk for self employed (or intention to do so) Be an Australian resident Be an Australian resident Disability/medical condition not compensable Disability/medical condition not compensable NB. All mods & equipment must be work related and due to persons disability

8 How to apply for assistance Commenced July 2006 Commenced July 2006 Comprises: Comprises: - Telephone and enquiry service - A web site - Administration of Employment Assistance Fund & AUSLAN for Employment programs

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16 Funding is provided for a wide range of disability – specific accommodations:

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28 Case studies

Building Designer Neurological disability Barriers: Mobility, access & fatigue Mobility, access & fatigueSolution: Electric Height adjustable desk Electric Height adjustable desk Manual wheelchair with cushions for home office Manual wheelchair with cushions for home office Magnetic door catch Magnetic door catch All terrain Frontier V6 Power wheelchair with remote All terrain Frontier V6 Power wheelchair with remote Custom built trailer to suit Power wheelchair Custom built trailer to suit Power wheelchair Total of package: approx $20,000 29

30

Work Health Safety & Quality Advisor Neurological disability Barriers: Mobility, access & fatigue Mobility, access & fatigueSolution: Hand controls for vehicle Hand controls for vehicle All terrain Magic mobility powered wheelchair All terrain Magic mobility powered wheelchair Folding edge ramp for car transport Folding edge ramp for car transport Portable modular ramping system Portable modular ramping system Carbon messenger bag for work documents Carbon messenger bag for work documents Therapod office chair & Z-Rest footrest Therapod office chair & Z-Rest footrest Dragon naturally speaking software & headset Dragon naturally speaking software & headset Total of package: approx $42,000 31

32

33

Mechanic/Trades Assistant Brain Injury Barriers: Physical and cognitive limitations Physical and cognitive limitationsSolutions: On the job support from a qualified mechanic On the job support from a qualified mechanic Non-slip matting & step ladders Non-slip matting & step ladders Industrial fans for workshop Industrial fans for workshop Railing & improved steps to pits Railing & improved steps to pits Safety ladders Safety ladders Total of package: approx $18,000 34

Events Coordinator-school Neurological condition Barriers: Mobility, access & fatigue Mobility, access & fatigueSolution: Cooling vests & neck ties Cooling vests & neck ties Clax trolley Clax trolley Bioness L300 kit Bioness L300 kit Handrails for stairs throughout halls on campus Handrails for stairs throughout halls on campus Electric utility vehicle with customised storage Electric utility vehicle with customised storage Total of package: approx $28,000 35

36

37

38

A work in progress! 39

40 “ Physical modifications to a workplace have a small positive but significant impact on labour force participation ” The Australian Safety & Compensation Council (2007) “Are People with Disability at Risk at Work: A Review of the Evidence” “ Physical modifications to a workplace have a small positive but significant impact on labour force participation ” The Australian Safety & Compensation Council (2007) “Are People with Disability at Risk at Work: A Review of the Evidence”

41