Issue 107
19 May 2008
The Business Service Excellence Awards recognise, encourage and promote the significant contribution business services make in improving the lives of people with disability. These awards also provide an opportunity to recognise the dual focus of business services: being a viable business while providing high quality employment to people with disability.
If you know of a business service organisation that has made a significant contribution in ensuring that people with disability are encouraged to participate to their full potential in employment, tell us about it by nominating them for the Business Services Excellence Awards 2008.
Nomination forms and further information can be found on the FaHCSIA website
Nominations close on 20 June 2008
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Each fortnight a product from the Consumer Training and Support product list will be highlighted in disAbility e-news. In this issue we will be looking at the Work Talk series.
The aim of these manuals is to bring together information about and strategies for effective workplace communication in Disability Employment Services. It focuses on the communication between the employee with a disability and staff who work directly with them.
The Work Talk series includes the following workbooks:
The manuals contain an implementation guide, introduction to the specified disability and a series of communication and learning topics that make up the bulk of the manual.
The learning topics are based around communication situations you are likely to encounter in the workplace. They include some background information or theory about effective workplace communication strategies, a case study or example and strategies for achieving effective communication and learning in the situation described.
A copy of these workbooks and all the other Consumer Training and Support material can be accessed on the FaHCSIA website.
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The 2008 Employment Forum is to be held at the Hilton Brisbane on 21-22 July. With a theme of 'Principles, Practice and the Pitfalls In Between', presentations and interactive workshops will provide delegates with policy information and practical advice. The conference is aimed at both Business Services and DEN organisations that assist people with disability to find and maintain mainstream employment.
Keynote Speakers include:
The Hon. Brendan O'Connor MP
Minister for Employment Participation, on policy directions for the Disability Employment Network
The Hon. Bill Shorten MP
Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities, on policy directions for Business Services
Sharan Burrow
ACTU President, on Disability and the Unions
Professor Peter Saunders
Research Professor in Social Policy, SPRC, University of NSW
Updates from Malisa Golightly
Deputy Secretary, DEEWR, and
Christine Bruce
Branch Manger, FaHCSIA
Steven Amendola
Partner, Blake Dawson, on the future of productivity-based wages
Michael Licenblat
Resilience Expert
Paul Barnes
General Manager, Strategic & Business Development, Visy.
Further information on the Employment Forum is available on the NDS website.
The programme is due to be released and will contain the new online registration facilities.
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In 2001, Walter Turnbull prepared a handbook for FaHCSIA titled Corporate Governance Handbook for the Board.
The purpose of the booklet is to provide you with a handy reference guide, which includes:
The booklet is not intended to replace existing mechanisms used by the Board to monitor and act on legislative requirements. Rather, it is a tool to facilitate awareness of obligations and offer possible options to address obligations.
A copy of the handbook and other resources can be found on the FaHCSIA website.
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A few weeks ago we sent you a variation to your Disability Employment Assistance (DEA) Funding Agreement. Unfortunately, we have had to return several acceptances that have not been properly executed to date.
To avoid this happening to you, please ensure that you write your organisation's name, its ABN, sign and date it and have a witness sign and date it in the appropriate execution box on the acceptance on the last page of the variation letter. You must do this on both copies, and return only one copy to the following address by
30 May 2008:
Marion Carrick
Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs
GPO Box 9820
Brisbane QLD 4001
If you have any questions about these variations, please contact your FaHCSIA contract manager.
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FaHCSIA is currently working on the redevelopment of the Bizability website. The new website will be the core of a new promotions strategy for the sector, and will give potential purchasers a detailed overview of the diversity of the sector and the products and services available. The redevelopment will address issues in regard to search functionality, effective communication of the purpose of the website and ease of navigation around the site.
Last week, an email was sent to the CEOs of business service organisations requesting assistance in the collection of data to support the new website. We’ve had a great response so far and would like to remind remaining services that your response is due COB 23 May 2008.
If you did not receive the initial email or have any questions please contact Michelle Creed on michelle.creed@fahcsia.gov.au
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Compass Egg Farm, based at Port Lincoln, was established to provide people with a disability the opportunity to participate in the workforce.
Compass has been operating for 25 years and has become a well-respected organisation within the community. It has positioned itself as a leading employment provider, particularly through its egg production farm. Compass also offers recreation and day activities for people with a disability through its Day Options programme.
The barn-laid egg farm has 3,200 hens producing close to 2,700 eggs per day and is non-automated, which allows employees to have a hands-on approach to a variety of jobs including chicken husbandry, collecting, washing, grading and packing eggs. These eggs are then distributed by the employees to the local market.
Compass has also expanded its services through a recent merger with Bedford. The two organisations will share resources and skills to enhance opportunities for people with a disability in the Eyre Peninsula region. For more information about Compass or Bedford call (08) 8275 0211 or visit our website at www.bedfordgroup.com.au
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Email disAbility e-news if you'd like more information on a particular issue or program in disAbility e-news or to let us know what you think of the newsletter.
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Your contributions to disAbility e-news are welcome. Do you want to let others know about your successes? Or how you engage with local businesses to create employment opportunities for people with disabilities? Email your story idea to disAbility e-news.
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