Issue 64 | 15 May 2006
FaCSIA will be processing Funding Agreement variations in mid-May for all DEA organisations whose Funding Agreement has an end date of 30 June 2006. You will have approximately 6 weeks to accept and return the variation to FACSIA by 23 June 2006. Organisations that do not return their acceptance to the Funding Agreement variation by 23 June will have their payments suspended from 1 July 2006 until their acceptance is received.
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The DEWR Workplace Modifications Scheme provides practical assistance to employers and workers with disabilities by reimbursing the cost of special equipment or adjustments to the work environment needed to accommodate someone with a disability. Funding through the scheme can be for a range of workplace solutions, from simple equipment purchases to more complex solutions like building modifications. Solutions are always focused on improving the tenure, work conditions and employment opportunities of job seekers and workers with disabilities.
The scheme has been improved as a result of consultations with employer representatives, disability employment providers and people with disabilities in 2005, and is now simpler and easier to access.
FaCSIA-funded Business Services should note that their Business Service clients are still eligible to apply for assistance under the DEWR Workplace Modifications Scheme.
For more information contact the DEWR Workplace Modifications Scheme:
Telephone: 1800 814 838[ top ]
Geelong's Business Service 'Back to Back Theatre' was awarded the Sidney Myer Performing Arts Award 2005 Group Award on Saturday 15th April at a ceremony at the Four Winds Festival in Bermagui. Former Governor General, Sir William Dean, presented the $40,000 award to Bruce Gladwin (Artistic Director), Sonia Teuben (Ensemble Member) and Bobbie Hodge (Chair of Back to Back).
The award was "in recognition of the immense contribution to the performing arts in Australia" said Carillo Gantner, Chair of the Sidney Myer Fund.
The Sidney Myer Performing Arts Awards were established in 1984 by the Sidney Myer Fund to mark the 50th anniversary of the passing of Sidney Myer and to commemorate his life and cultural interests. The Awards are primarily intended to enhance the status of the performing arts in Australia and pay tribute to outstanding achievement in drama, comedy, dance, music, opera, circus and puppetry.
Previous winners of the award include Melbourne Workers Theatre, Acrobat, Urban Theatre Projects and Leigh Warren & Dancers.
More information can be obtained on the 'Back to Back' Theatre website.
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Have you got a marketing plan for you business service? Did you know that central to all marketing is product, price, promotion and place?
If you want to know more about effectively marketing your business service, have a look at the Australian Government's business.gov.au website.
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On 31 January 2005, an exciting new era of service delivery was launched for Australians who use sign language to communicate when accessing private medical and health care services.
The Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaCSIA) committed $18.5 million dollars for a three and a half year period to provide Auslan interpreters to sign language users when attending private medical and health care appointments. NABS also provides interpreters for any Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander sign language user attending any health care appointment.
The service is available to adult and child sign language users. The service will also provide training and development opportunities to interpreters working in the medical field and will be seeking to partner other organisations in further developing services.
The National Auslan Interpreter Booking and Payment Service (NABS) is the first of it’s kind in Australia and operates a national register of approximately 260 sign language interpreters. NABS is auspiced by Wesley Mission Brisbane (WMB) and has a call centre based at the WMB corporate offices in Chermside, Brisbane.
The service runs from a national call centre based in Brisbane. Community feedback has been very positive as it affords sign language users the opportunity to access a full professional medical interpreting service with complete privacy.
NABS now open on Saturdays
A most recent development has been the extension of operating hours for NABS to include Saturday. In addition to 8am to 8pm opening on weekdays, NABS will also be open for bookings on Saturday from 8am to 1pm in every state and territory.
NABS can be contacted at:
Phone (voice): 1800 246 945[ top ]
FOFMS has now been updated with the 1 July 2006 Conversion Capacity figures. By 1 July 2006, all services must have transitioned all BGF cases to CBF.
You must complete two important tasks by Friday 26 May 2006 to ensure that your service has transitioned all remaining BGF cases by 1 July 2006.
By 26 May 2006 you must:
How do I determine how many cases I have to transition?
What happens to cases I do not transition?
Cases listed under a Targeted Support Agreement Schedule should not be selected for transition. All cases under a Targeted Support Agreement Schedule will continue to receive Targeted Support.
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The recently announced Budget included a continuation over the next four years of funding originally approved in the 2001/02 Budget for the national Quality Assurance System for disability employment services and additional supported employment places.
This funding will ensure that disability employment services will continue to receive part reimbursement for the audit costs of complying with the legislated Disability Services Standards. The Complaints Resolution and Referral Service and the National Disability Abuse and Neglect Hotline will also continue to provide support and advice for people with disabilities, their parents, carers and support workers. It will also mean that around 1,000 people with disabilities currently in business services filling the additional places announced in 2001/02 will continue to be supported.
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ACROD's Inaugural National Conference on Social Participation
30 - 31 May 2006, Star City, Sydney
The inaugural ACROD National Conference on Social Participation has been designed specifically for providers and funders of services for people with disability including day activities, post school options, recreation, community access, leisure, community participation, lifestyle options, alternatives to employment, transition to work, adult training and support and community life skills.
Social Participation services are an integral part of the equation to achieve a quality of life for people with disability. This type of support adds value to the outcomes achieved through the individual’s accommodation and employment support programs.
This conference will enhance the disability services sector, providing a timely opportunity for providers and government representatives to explore social participation philosophy in policy and practice from national and international perspectives as we explore “the future, solutions and outcomes”.
Over 200 delegates have already registered – don’t miss this important inaugural conference! Visit the ACROD National Conference on Social Participation website and REGISTER TODAY.
2006 Employment Forum ‘Boosting your business without losing your mission’
31 July – 1 August, Hilton on the Park, Melbourne
Disability Employment Services operate in an increasingly competitive environment. Their challenge is to hold fast to the values that underpin disability services while succeeding in a world that demands business-like and performance-driven behaviour. Understanding this environment is crucial to succeeding in it.
Disability Open Employment Services will compete in a world of Star Ratings, performance audits and RFTs – with staff expected to maintain cash flow and meet new compliance requirements, while providing a high quality service to clients. The business environment in which Disability Business Services compete is increasingly international.
They are under pressure to increase their commercial income and navigate through complex IR and OH&S regulations, while retaining their commitment to maximize employment for people with disabilities.
At the 2006 Employment Forum, decision-makers in Government and experts from the non-government and private sectors will provide advice on how service providers can position themselves in these competitive environments. This national conference will provide conceptual understanding and skill development for both management and support staff. Separate streams will operate for Open Employment Services and Business Services. Key sessions will cover the latest policy developments and key directions in Government.
Other topics will include:
Watch the ACROD website for updates.
For information on any ACROD National event, contact Karen Moyers, Conference and Office Manager. Ph: (02) 6283 3204 or email to kmoyers@acrod.org.au
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