17 January 2014
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DANA Advocates and DES Survey: As part of DANA’s current Disability Employment Services (DES) Project, we seek your input as disability advocates into how the clients of advocacy services can be better served by the DES program, and asks for your participation in an online survey. This phase of the survey seeks to gather the knowledge and impressions of advocates, gained during their advocacy for people with disabilities, regarding the current operation and effectiveness of DES. Responses may inform the development of the second phase of the survey and a subsequent report to government.
The time taken to complete the anonymous ten question survey will likely vary as to the detail of your knowledge of DES. We greatly appreciate you taking time to share your knowledge and insights on this topic. Click here to take survey.
Please forward to other staff members and advocates not included on our mailing list. (Press the Subscribe button on this page to receive future newsletters and correspondence from DANA).
Do you have any stories or experiences to share about interacting with disability employment services? We are collecting case studies that may provide insights into how the DES program is failing to achieve its aims, and the ways it could be improved. If you would like to contribute, or provide feedback or ask a question regarding this project, please email [email protected].
DANAdiscuss: Staff of organisations holding current financial membership may join the DANAdiscuss emailing group, by sending a request to [email protected].
Advocacy Stories: DANA has created a website for sharing stories of disability rights success and we encourage disability advocates to share stories of human rights triumphs, whether big or small, and examples of the barriers broken and doors opened by advocacy efforts. www.advocacystories.tumblr.com also allows you to upload pictures and links, and tag the type or types of advocacy described in your story.
POLICY AND NEWS BSWAT Payments Scheme: The Department of Social Services recently announced the establishment of a payment scheme for supported employees with intellectual disability in Australian Disability Enterprises who previously had their wages assessed under the discriminatory Business Service Wage Assessment Tool (BSWAT). This follows the Federal Court case Nojin & Prior v Commonwealth last year which confirmed the wage assessment tool had unlawfully discriminated against workers to deprive them of fair pay. The Government’s application for an exemption to allow ADE’s to continue using the tool (temporarily) is yet to be determined by the Australian Human Rights Commission.
It appears the scheme, which shall open for registration from 1 July, should address economic loss suffered by eligible workers. However, advocates are concerned that people who take part in any representative or subsequent proceedings have been excluded from the BSWAT Payments Scheme. As a representative proceeding was indeed commenced in the Federal Court, the announcement of the scheme would appear to discourage wronged employees from continuing to seek appropriate legal remedies. Further information can be found on the DSS website, ABC News Online and Pro Bono News.
In other government news: Steps taken towards cutting unnecessary bureaucratic ‘red tape’ for DES providers
Proposal to merge Departments of Social Services and Human Services shall be considered
Extra HACC program funding - supporting older Australians to remain living independently
SURVEYS & CONSULTATIONS 2014-15 Pre-Budget Submissions: The Federal Government invites submissions from individuals and community groups on their priorities for the 2014-15 Budget. Submissions close Friday 31 January 2014. See the Treasurer’s media release for details.
For a number of ongoing disability-related surveys and public consultations, refer to the December newsletter.
EVENTS Control & Choice Expo (Canberra): The Control & Choice Expo will be held at Exhibition Park, on Thursday 22 May to coincide with a time when people will be making decisions on the types of supports that they need once the NDIS is launched in Canberra in July 2014. People with disabilities will be able to talk directly to a host of product/service providers under the one roof to assess what is right for their needs. Both disability specific and mainstream products and services are welcome to express interest in exhibiting.
Upcoming events: Please visit the DANA website to explore the Events Calendar. DANA invites members to submit events they would like promoted in the DANA newsletter and/or on the DANA website. Events can be sent to [email protected]. Please note that DANA has criteria for events we choose to promote. For more information please consult our website.
JOBS Advocate (Mental Health/ATOD Program): Advocacy Tasmania Inc. is seeking a part time Advocate for the Mental Health/ Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs. The position is based in Launceston office, 22.5 hours per week with the contract concluding in June 2015. Applications close noon 29 January 2014.
Intake Officer: Advocacy Tasmania Inc. is also seeking an Intake Officer for the Hobart office. The position is offered on a part time basis of 32.5 hours per week with the contract concluding in June 2015. Applications close noon 29 January 2014.
Executive Officer: Deaf Australia Inc is seeking an Executive Officer with lived experience as a Deaf person and other relevant experience, knowledge and skills for an ongoing full-time position. The current Deaf Australia office is based in Brisbane; however this can be re- located to Canberra, Sydney or Melbourne as required. Applications close 31 January 2014.
Senior Lawyer (Mental Health & Disability Advocacy): Victoria Legal Aid seeks a full time senior lawyer to lead the expansion of the its specialist mental health and disability advocacy practice in Bendigo, focusing on mental health review board and guardianship and administration matters. Applications close 31 January 2014.
Policy Officer: Schizophrenia Fellowship of New South Wales Inc (Sydney) is looking for a part time policy officer providing research and policy support for the organisation’s systemic advocacy for circumstances and welfare of people with a serious mental illness. Applications close 10 February 2014.
DANA invites members to submit jobs they would like promoted in the DANA newsletter or on the DANA website. Job details can be sent to [email protected]
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