AKG’s Post

Comprehensive training that meets internationally recognised standards for Discovery and Customised Employment training. Anything less is just playing around. Customised Employment and Discovery training by the leaders in the field. We deliver Discovery daily through our Work First employment program and service provider network, train through our CDERP College, and research through CDERP and its global network of research partners. Built off the hard work of our technical partners, Griffin Hammis Associates, the pioneers in Customised Employment, you can be assured that it reflects Australian policy and practice settings. After all, that's what a good Discovery should do! This is just one of the many disability employment-focused training programs that we have on offer. If you're looking for practice-informed, research-driven training written and developed by practitioners and researchers, then join us. https://lnkd.in/g_-AxDn3 #customisedemployment #discovery #customisedemploymenttraining #ndis #cderp #cderpcollege #workfirst #intellectualdisability #des #dss #discoverytraining

#DES providers, have you heard about the Practitioners’ Forum, being held on the ‘pre-day’ before our Conference – 11 June at Grand Hyatt, Melbourne? It's brought to you in partnership with our great friends at genU Training, with whom we are co-developing our Disability Employment Fundamentals series of industry-led microcredentials.  This is not the first DEA Practitioners’ Forum, but it is the first in a while. Why are we bringing it back? 1. The Disability Royal Commission has recommended that greater priority is placed on practitioner skills within DES. Anticipating that recommendation, we are keen to offer organisations greater opportunities to engage with continuing professional development. 2. Alongside our partners, we want to lead the drive towards professionalism and recognition of practitioner skills within #disabilityemployment. We believe that it is much better that such initiatives are driven from the sector than central government fiat, so DEA is keen to build our relationship with practitioners and the frontline. This will be encapsulated by our Professional Members Program (about which more soon, we promise) but opportunities for practitioners to get together, network, and learn in a group setting are a big part of that too. There will of course be CPD points attached to attendance at the Forum. 3. We recognise that staff turnover is a big issue, particularly at a time of uncertainty, and there are always temptations for front-liners to move to other (frequently better paid) jobs. One way DEA can help is to show your practitioners that they are part of a greater whole, re-emphasise the good that they do, and demonstrate that they really can build a great, fulfilling #career in this sector. 4. It’ll be fun! We’ve put together a program that encapsulates these aims – including a keynote about goal-setting from multi-gold-winning Paralympian Matt Levy OAM, a panel about different career paths in the sector, an interactive session on quality servicing led by genU Training’s Daniel Gavin, DISC profiling facilitated by the Institute of Capacity Building’s Lauren Amy Peacock MIEP, and Paul Diviny FIEP of Prospert will be upskilling practitioners on how to use business intelligence to support their participants to get jobs. It’ll be led by the wonderful Wayne Herbert MAICD FIEP as MC, who himself has built an amazing career within the sector – so there is no one better to prove our point. The event is mainly aimed at practitioners or those close to the front-line. I see it as a great opportunity to build up and reward up-and-coming talent, as well as those who have shown outstanding commitment over a long period. We’ve tried to keep the price as low as possible because we want to maximise engagement, and we think $300 is a bargain for a half-day’s high-quality #training, with #networking opportunities and refreshments thrown in! Register your teams here: https://lnkd.in/gC2BwAWU

👋 Happy Monday! 👋 UK Disability History Month continues and today we're focusing on a scheme that most people have heard of, but very few actually encounter. 🤔 The Access to Work (ATW) Scheme was launched by the Department for Work and Pensions in June 1994. 👈 The Scheme aims to provide people with physical and mental disabilities with the tools to succeed in the workplace, ranging from Communication Support Workers (CSWs) and notetakers to assistive software and specialist equipment. ATW can also help d/Deaf students by providing interpreters or lip-speakers for interviews when applying for graduate jobs. 👏 As of 2024, people supported by this Scheme can be awarded up to £69,260 per year, depending on their individual needs. 💵 While there have been critiques of processing times, Access to Work has helped millions of people get into or stay in work in England, Scotland, and Wales. 🎉 Happy 30th Birthday Access to Work! 🥳 #UKDHM #ATW #AccessToWork #AdvisorsDeafNetwork #ADN #Accessibility #DisabilityHistory

Is your business Disability Confident? New Disability Confident guidance has been published to help managers recruit, retain, and foster the progression of disabled people and those with health conditions in the workplace. The Disability Confident scheme is voluntary and helps employers make the most of the opportunities that can come from employing and developing disabled people. The new guide has been produced jointly by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD). Its objective is to help employers and employees get the most from the Disability Confident scheme, boost disability employment and reduce the disability employment gap. The guide covers subjects such as why it makes good business sense, what the role of the manager is and legal responsibilities and definitions. There are practical tips and advice on language and behaviour, as well as examples of the reasonable adjustments an employer might make. Click/tap the link to read more and access the guide. https://lnkd.in/eBPFazJw #disabledconfident #inclusiveemployment #businessadviceburtonontrent

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month! The 2024 theme for National Disability Employment Awareness Month is “Access to Good Jobs for All.” Learn more: dol.gov/NDEAM Good jobs change lives, and all workers deserve the opportunity to prepare for, obtain, and succeed in them. ❓ How are you observing National Disability Employment Awareness Month? ⬇ Let us know in the comments. Employer Resources: ▪ Inclusive apprenticeship programs help companies access a wider talent pool. Learn how to start or expand an #apprenticeship program: https://lnkd.in/gwUrZNNX ▪ The Job Accommodation Network helps employers increase access and opportunities all year long: AskJAN.org ▪ Want to cast a wider net when hiring? Make sure you’re not omitting qualified applicants with disabilities. @AskEARN can help employers increase access to good jobs for all. AskEARN.org ▪ Want to build a strong, inclusive workforce? Check out this free online toolkit from @JANatJAN with tools to create a more disability-inclusive and compliant workplace: AskJAN.org/toolkit ▪ Are you using accessible technology to increase access and opportunity for people with disabilities? The Partnership on Employment and Accessible Technology can help: PEATWorks.org ▪ Learn how @USDOL’s Office of Disability Employment Policy helps advance access to good jobs for all, including America’s workers with disabilities. dol.gov/agencies/odep COVID Resources: Are you experiencing #LongCOVID? Learn about workplace tools and accommodations to help you keep working during your recovery. https://lnkd.in/gZig45Ps Human Resource Association of Central CT (HRACC) Elaine Rosales, SPHR SHRM PMQ Sandra Vazquez-Parent #InclusionWorks #HRACC #NDEAM #InclusionMatters

Only 26.7% of adults with a learning disability are employed yet 86% of unemployed people with a learning disability want a paid job. (Mencap). Do you have a learning disability? Do you know someone who does? Do you work with someone who does? Learning disability is not always seen, understood or appreciated in the people we work with and employ, and that results in a waste of talent. Created by Mencap and running 17 – 23 June 2024, Learning Disability Week focuses on challenging the barriers people with a learning disability face and highlighting the value they bring to society. This year’s theme is “Do you see me?” which is all about being seen, heard and valued. Beyond this dedicated week, organisations in hospitality such as The Crumbs Project, Royal Academy of Culinary Arts BaxterStorey and many others work on an ongoing basis with people living with a learning disability, with a focus on training and skills development in the workplace. Take a look at this article from Hospitality & Catering News to learn more. #learningdisabilityweek #learningdisability #accessibility #hospitality

We are proud to have recently been accredited a Disability Confident Level 1 Employer, in line with our commitment to promoting inclusivity in the workplace.   The Disability Confident scheme, initiated by the UK government, is designed to encourage employers to think differently about disability and take action to improve how they attract, recruit, and retain disabled workers. Achieving Level 1 status is a significant step in our journey to becoming a more inclusive employer.   Applying for the Disability Confident Level 1 involves several key pledges which align with our values and recruitment principles:   ● Inclusive Recruitment: We commit to inclusive and accessible recruitment practices, ensuring that our job vacancies are open to everyone and are advertised in ways that reach a diverse audience. ● Supporting Employees: We pledge to provide reasonable adjustments as required and to support existing employees who acquire a disability or long-term health condition, enabling them to stay in work. ● Raising Awareness: We will actively raise awareness about disability issues within our organization, challenging negative attitudes, promoting a culture of respect, and understanding. ● Providing Opportunities: We are dedicated to offering work experience opportunities, apprenticeships, and internships to disabled individuals, helping them gain valuable skills and experience.   At Pinnacle, we are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone can reach their full potential. We are excited to continue our journey towards greater inclusivity for all.   You can find all available job openings and career opportunities at Pinnacle on our careers page: https://bit.ly/4eiKyIY

This week it’s Learning Disability Week! So what are the benefits of employing someone with a learning disability? Here’s just a few real examples… 1️⃣ New perspectives and curiousity can boost efficiency - when working with Emergency Exit Arts, a member of the team who had a learning disability was asking questions like ‘what’s this for?’, ‘why are you doing it that way?’ - trying to learn the ropes of the job, which led to the realisation of the team - ‘yeah, why are we doing it that way?’ leading them to work in new, more efficient ways. 2️⃣ Over 90% of customers view businesses that employ disabled people more favourably than those that don’t. That’s a lot of potential customers who could be spending their money with you! 3️⃣ The people we employ at Bridge Creative who have a learning disability are so enthusiastic and proud that they have a job, and super motivated to work. People who truly want to work make the workplace a much more enjoyable place. 4️⃣ People who are paid for the work they do feel valued and are generally happier and healthier than those who aren’t in work. You, as an employer, can make this happen for people - making a huge difference to someone’s life! 5️⃣ Plus, inclusive workplaces are a lot of fun! If people enjoy coming to work, it boosts productivity, staff are more likely to stay for longer, and a happy workplace attracts the best people! 📲 Make the We See You pledge now at https://lnkd.in/eUbXBVuj to make your workplace visible to people with a learning disability. Anyone who makes the pledge during Learning Disability Week will receive free support from our team to help create an inclusive workplace! #DoYouSeeMe? #WeSeeYou! #LearningDisabilityWeek

Now that my internship is finished, I’m excited to share a significantly important project I’ve been working on semi-privately for the past three months that I hope many readers will support. For context, Utah’s Medicaid system for disabilities provides essential health services, but eligibility is tied to very restrictive income and asset limits (detailed in the comments). This creates a perverse incentive to limit income and career growth just to access necessary care. For example, when I get an offer or a bonus, my first thought isn't joy, it's "How will this impact my eligibility". There have been multiple times where I turned down a raise or a position simply because I would make too much money. My initiative aims to remove these limits through a state jobs bill that would improve the current Utah Medicaid Work Incentive Program. By eliminating these caps, people with disabilities can work freely, earn according to their true skills, and contribute more to the economy and local tax revenues. Workers would still pay a premium based on their income, creating a natural limit that reflects each individual’s unique situation. This is a massive undertaking, but it is possible. On April 24th, Tennessee passed a similar law in a state that didn’t even have a work incentive program for Medicaid. I believe that Utah is positioned to be the premier state for healthcare, yet we impose restrictions on our most vulnerable populations to let them access it. I am a college senior who had no idea where to start three months ago; I just wanted to be able to work a full-time job. However, the support I have received from community leaders, businesses, and organizations has been astounding. The momentum is here and the timing is right, but I cannot continue alone anymore. This is a problem that affects so many people across the state and this bill will provide an improvement to their quality of life, so I'm putting out this call to reach them. If you have faced struggles with Disability Medicaid in Utah, know someone who has, or would like to assist in any way, please consider filling out this form to support the initiative: https://lnkd.in/g-YMkH32 Also, please consider sharing this post to get more people on board. There’s much more I have yet to discuss, from the additional benefits of the bill and logistical details to the heartbreaking consequences of the current system. So, put down any questions you have and I’ll do my best to answer!

For many school leavers living with disability, determining their eligibility and navigating the application process of the NDIS is daunting.  School Leaver Employment Support (SLES) is designed to assist young people find meaningful employment once they leave school by building their skills, independence, and confidence. MAX NDIS Consultant Candice Faamaoni says:  “SLES is much more than just work support; we empower young people achieve their goals by empowering them with tools to be successful young adults in the working world.”  These tools include helping customers understand workplace expectations, work relationships, tax file numbers, budgeting, payroll, and much more. A key part of the SLES program is providing school leavers with work experience in industries they want to pursue careers in – this helps them build confidence and capacity. NDIS Consultants assist customers with setting goals, investigating career options available to them, and developing individual capacity through various activities.  Insights from Disability Employment Australia’s Survey on Disability, Aging, and Carers suggest that a sustained focus on improving school to work transition supports will strengthen the relationship between people with disability entering the labour force and subsequently the workforce.  Candice explains that she helps customers investigate and understand the industry that they are interested in working in, researching all aspects of a job opportunity together, from planning travel to workplace health and safety requirements. She also explains how NDIS Consultants guide customers through the systems and processes of accessing NDIS support:  “We often have young people approach us who receive NDIS assistance but don't have the right funding categories in their plans. We can write letters of support to assist with plan funding reviews and work closely with their support coordinators, plan managers and stakeholders through this process.”  So what happens after customers complete their work experience? We refer customers across to employment readiness and assistance through the Disability Employment Services (DES). Through DES, we continue to provide customers with support on their employment journey. In fact, data from Disability Employment Australia indicates that more people with disability are participating in the labour force – a positive change from long-standing trends, and evidence that the DES program is effective.  #ndis #disability #employment