Support, Advice and Programs Index
Defence offers a range of support to supervisors of people with disability to assist them to understand their responsibilities, undertake adjustments in the work place and remove barriers for their employees.
Defence Disability Network
What is the Defence Disability Network?
The Defence Disability Network is an online network comprising members from all Groups and Services who either have a disability (disclosed or not) or who are interested or involved in disability-related activities. The only requirement to join is that you are willing to contribute to assist the Fairness and Resolution Branch in making Defence an inclusive work environment that values diversity and actively promotes the employment of people with disability.
How does the network operate?
Members can join by selecting the button below.
Fairness and Resolution Branch staff will then add members to a network mailing list. This list will be used to disseminate information and seek input on key disability issues.
Membership is not onerous and is intended to provide a reflective group that can share information and ideas.
Members can choose to remain anonymous to others on the network if they wish (as an undisclosed addressee) but as a result will not be able to engage directly with individual members. Fairness and Resolution Branch will moderate the use of the network.
What are the benefits?
- You will be kept up-to-date with new information on disability in the APS and Defence.
- You will be provided with the opportunity to have a say and input into key disability issues facing Defence personnel.
- You will have the opportunity to be involved in focus groups and other forums and share your views on particular disability issues.
- You will have the opportunity to provide input into our Fairness and Resolution disability website and suggest information that would be useful to distribute through the network.
Are there any restrictions on topics discussed?
Whilst the network will provide members the opportunity to share their unique experience of working in Defence as a person with disability, it is not to be used as a forum to seek advocacy or make complaints about individual issues.
Defence Programs
Defence Assistive Technology Program
Defence Assistive Technology Program (DATP)is a program to ensure that Defence APS employees with special requirements rising from disabilities and/or medical conditions are provided with the most appropriate assistive technology that will assist them to effectively perform their work duties. The DATP assists APS employees who have a temporary or permanent disability or medical condition.
Some typical examples of assistive technology that are available through the DATP include, but are not limited to, voice recognition software, such as Dragon Naturally Speaking (DNS) for employees with conditions such as RSI, and products such as ZoomText and JAWS for employees with visual impairment.
It is noted that DATP excludes:
- ADF members;
- requests relating to a Comcare claim;
- furniture; and
- requests relating to OH&S issues.
To explain the distinction, OH&S is preventative whereas disability is a diagnosed condition that has lasted or is expected to last more that six months.
The steps to make a request under DATP:
- Request an Occupational Therapist to conduct an occupational assessment. It is recommended that the assessment be conducted by a specialist in the disability type. I note that disability peak bodies have taken up this consultancy role e.g. Arthritis - Arthritis Australia, vision impairments - Vision Australia etc.
- The Occupational Therapist will conduct assessment and prepare a report recommending adjustments suitable for the person's needs considering the role, duties and disability type. Adjustments may include equipment which you can request support under DATP. The work area is responsible for funding the assessment.
- Complete Webform AC880 and attached the Occupational Therapist's Report. Submit for consideration by the DATP Delegate.
“Stepping into…” is a joint initiative of the the Australian Employer’s Network on Disability and the Department of Defence.
It is a short-term paid work/internship program designed specifically for university students with disability. The program provides a “step into” practical work experience for students with disability who may otherwise face significant barriers to finding employment.
Defence has participated in the program since 2008, and in the fields of;
- Stepping into Law
- Stepping into Banking
- Stepping into Accounting
- Stepping into Human Resources
- Stepping into Information Technology
- Stepping into Public Policy and Research.
Stepping into... in Defence runs during the Summer or Winter university semester break, for a period of 4 or 8 weeks. It is designed to provide students with skills and experience which will assist them to obtain long term employment within their chosen profession.
Eligibility criteria for candidates- Applicants must have a disability;
- Applicants for the program must be completing a degree at a recognised tertiary institution;
- Applicants for the program must currently be enrolled in and completing the final or penultimate year of their degree;
- Applicants must not be on a leave-of-absence from their studies (eg. deferred, working full time etc);
- As this is a targeted program only for students with disability, applicants are required to provide any relevant disability information and any information regarding adjustments or modifications that may be required for the duration of the program;
- Applicants must be committed and prepared to participate fully in the program. The opportunities will be in Canberra only;
- Applicants must be available to attend a student briefing conducted by the Australian Employers Network on Disability before starting the program.
- Applicants who wish to participate in this program in Defence must meet particular requirements which include being an Australian citizen and having security and character clearances (includes a police records check).
If you are interested in working with the Stepping Into… program, or would like more information on the roles of work areas, please contact Tanya Butow.
Apart from looking after the interests of its own staff with disabilities, Defence also has a program which aims at creating opportunities for people with intellectual disability outside the department to gain skills and experience.
Koomarri Jobmatch is a supported employment service operating under the auspices of the Koomarri Association of the ACT. It seeks to place people with intellectual disabilities currently working within Koomarri workshops in integrated employment, either in small groups or in individual supported jobs, under the supervision of a Training & Placement Officer (TPO). The TPO works full-time with the team and provides full supervision and on-the-job training for people with disabilities. Jobmatch has operated in Defence on an annual contract basis since 1995.
Services Provided by Jobmatch
The type of work undertaken by Jobmatch employees is varied and includes:
- photocopying;
- large and small mailouts;
- packaging;
- collating conference papers, folders and information kits;
- filing (backlogs);
- internal courier runs; and
- any other tasks identified by the client.
The two full-time Training & Placement Officers' responsibilities include:
- full supervision and on-the-job training of the workers;
- assistance with identification of tasks which could be undertaken;
- scheduling work loads to ensure tasks are completed on time;
- in consultation with departmental staff, setting quality control standards and ensuring standards are maintained; and
- facilitating the integration of Jobmatch employees into the workforce.
While working in the Department of Defence, the workers remain employees of Jobmatch and are not employees of the department or the Commonwealth. Jobmatch is responsible for all employment-related costs and conditions relating to employees, including salary, workers' compensation and leave entitlements.
Anyone needing the services of Jobmatch may contact the Training & Placement Officer on (02) 6266 2324.
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