7 - 8 August 2013hilton AdelAide

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Registration Desk Open Times

The registration desk is located on level one of the Hilton Adelaide Hotel.

Tuesday 6 August 4.30pm–7.00pm

Wednesday 7 August 8.00am–5.00pm

Thursday 8 August 8.30am–5.00pm

If you require assistance please contact Lucy Coté from Conference Works on 0425 119 093. Lucy will be onsite throughout the conference.

Social Event Tickets

If you have purchased tickets to the Conference Gala Dinner, these tickets are in your name badge pocket. All delegates must bring their ticket with them in order to gain access to the Gala Dinner.

Conference Venue

The Hilton Adelaide Hotel is located at:

Level One, 233 Victoria Square, Adelaide, South Australia, 5000, Australia

Messages

For your convenience a message board will be placed near the main registration area on level one.

Mobile Phones

As a courtesy to all delegates, mobile phones and other electronic devices must be turned to silent during all conference sessions.

Name Badges

All conference participants are requested to wear their conference name badge throughout the conference to facilitate admission to sessions and networking functions.

Conference App

On your phone, tap on the app store icon.

On the iPhone, this is called the App Store; on an Android, this is called Google Play; and if you have a Blackberry, this is called the Blackberry App World.

Search for “ShowGizmo” to download.

If you do not already have a ShowGizmo account, you can log in with your email address and the show password - DES2013.

Twitter• Delegates are encouraged to join the Twitter conversation,

using the conference hashtag #DES2013

• Find Disability Employment Australia on Twitter at @disabilityemplt

• Locate and tag disability employment news in Australia using the #deau hashtag

Parking

On-site self-parking is available from $18 per day. Off-site valet parking is available from $34 per day.

About Disability Employment AustraliaPhone: +61 3 9012 6000 · Email: info@disabilityemployment.org.au · Website: disabilityemployment.org.au

Disability Employment Australia is the peak industry body for Australia’s Disability Employment Services (DES).

We are recognised Australia-wide as the preeminent national organisation representing, supporting and resourcing the disability employment sector throughout Australia.

We exist to represent the interests of our members at a national level to government and other stakeholders. We support our members to achieve best practice service provision in their role to find employment outcomes for people with disability.

We advise, advocate, train, inform, and undertake events to promote the sector.

General Information

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Disability Employment Australia Chairperson’s Address

On behalf of the Board I welcome you to Australia’s Disability Employment Conference 2013 in Adelaide. Disability Employment Australia’s Conference continues to be the premier event for the disability employment sector in Australia.

This year, the conference sees our sector settled with five-year DES-ESS contracts

– which means we now have an opportunity to build on the capacity of our sector, provide continuity for job seekers and continue to build on strengthening our relationships with employers. Simultaneously, DMS providers will be performance-focused with the up and coming Business Reallocation Process. Disability Employment Australia’s position is that DMS remains a DES program and is brought into line with the five-year contact of ESS.

There is never a year in this sector without significant challenges. This year our challenges lie in encouraging the Government to review some of the guidelines which disadvantage a person’s capacity to ‘get and keep’ a job in the mainstream workforce. These restrictions not only minimise the capacity to build on long-standing employer relationships, but stifle innovation within the sector.

Our Conference program will no doubt whet the appetites of CEOs, Directors of your Boards, practitioners and people with a disability, as you hear from a range of renowned speakers who will inform, challenge and inspire you.

Of note, George Negus will facilitate the final panel on Thursday afternoon – he’ll be asking the hard questions about the hard end of employment. We know we need more working age people in employment – is this the opportunity people with disability have been waiting for? How can the Disability Employment Services sector make the most of the changing labour market?

A successful conference is a result of the combined efforts of many people. Thank you to our CEO, Lynette May, and her team.

A special thank you as well to our sponsors, exhibitors and speakers. Your contributions are valued and appreciated by the Board, staff, members and delegates present here today.

Unfortunately this year I am unable to be with you in person due to a serious medical condition which has kept me confined to barracks for a short while. Your host on behalf of the Board will therefore be the Vice Chair Rick Kane, who carries with him my best wishes to you all!

Make the most of this annual opportunity to gather together with colleagues from across the sector – to network, exchange ideas and refresh for the next 12 months.

Donna Faulkner Chairperson Disability Employment Australia

Disability Employment Australia Chief Executive Officer’s Address

Welcome to Australia’s Disability Employment Conference 2013 – the only open disability employment specific conference in Australia. Disability Employment Australia tries to create a conference agenda that is diverse, challenging, inspiring and entertaining. As Australia’s only disability employment peak,

we strive hard to not only focus on the DES program but bring other views and expertise into our conference forum.

The international lens is integral to our understanding of our own sandpit. This year, we have sessions from highly recognised researchers and practitioners from the UK – both Wales and England – as well as the USA and New Zealand.

I recently represented Australia at the European Supported Employment Association (EUSE) Conference in Dublin, with 22 other countries in attendance. We all run things differently – in terms of funding, how the program is administered, the way disability is defined and therefore who is eligible to be supported into open employment. However, there were strong and consistent messages across the board – themes that we are addressing at DES2013.

Our Future of Employment Services panel deals with the reality that for countries, like Australia, where the disability employment program is managed by the Labour Market Agency there is a drifting away from servicing those people furthest from the labour market – those who live with significant and enduring disability.

Many of our concurrent sessions tackle the fact that all disability employment programs are dealing with an increase in the prevalence of clients with mental illness and other barriers to work such as homelessness and cultural and linguistic diversity, and programs are diversifying to accommodate these clients.

A critical and common message was that ‘we’ need to raise our expectations. 2013 is the time for us to ‘Raise the Bar’ and challenge our own unconscious biases. Support people with disability to raise their own expectations of what they can ‘dare to dream’ and achieve, and raise the expectations of employers and the broader community.

We have a critical responsibility and opportunity to influence through the work you all do in assisting people with disability into and maintaining work. Challenge yourself in raising your bar in the service you provide and your expectations of those you work with.

I am confident you will find the Conference an excellent place to network, take on new information and strategies. Remember it is also a time to relax and let go. Please, make the most of it.

Lynette May Chief Executive Officer Disability Employment Australia

Welcome

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Welcome9.00am Conference MC: Brett de Hoedt

This year Brett de Hoedt hosts his sixth consecutive Disability Employment Conference. To kill time between conferences he runs Hootville Communications, which offers media, marketing and communications training and website development to non-profits. He also helms

Jobville.com.au – a new jobs-listing website offering free listings for not-for profits.

Twitter: @Hootville

Welcome to Country9.05amAunty Georgina Williams

Georgina Williams, Ngankiburka-Mekauwe is a Kaurna Senior Woman. She grew up on Point Pearce Mission, Yorke Peninsula. She has spoken at numerous forums on Aboriginal issues and is a long term campaigner on Aboriginal rights, also working to renew the knowledge of her ancestors

in a contemporary urban world and to bridge the divide between black and white worlds. Creatively, Georgina has been involved in theatre, music, poetry and the visual arts.

Great Expectations9.15am

Charles Dickens wrote Great Expectations during a time of great social inequality in England in the 1860s. Today, the challenge remains for us as a society to raise our expectations of ourselves and our ability to positively influence the world around us. We know that 20% of the population lives with disability, we know that we have a rapidly ageing global population with access needs and we know that the most transformational force to anyone succeeding in life is attitude – both our own and that of societies.

At 20, a friend’s father asked me if I was going to be a switchboard operator. He had just found out that I was partially blind. Today I am the CEO of a million dollar social change agency called Be. Accessible that employs people around the country and that is playing a key role in transforming the lives of New Zealanders – through the vision of greater access for all.

Imagine if I had listened to that man? Imagine if I had believed in his low expectations for me? It is destructive to limit other people and it does a disservice to us all!

At Be. Accessible, we believe accessibility is the greatest possibility facing our nation right now... let’s Be. the change, let’s have Great Expectations for our future and for the future of the people we are here to serve.

Minnie BaragwanathChief Executive, Be. Accessible (NZ)

Minnie Baragwanath has played a leading role in effecting social change for New Zealanders with disability over the past decade. Minnie is the Chief Executive and creator of the Be. Institute, a social enterprise which aims to inspire and enable a 100% accessible society for all people.

Her innovative approach to problem-solving and social change has led her to become increasingly interested in how New Zealand can strengthen itself socially, economically and culturally. Minnie recently completed a postgraduate diploma in economic development, where she explored disability through an economic lens, and the social economy and value that social entrepreneurs bring to the New Zealand economy.

She is partially blind and sees stars rather than details.

Twitter: @BeAccessibleNZ

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Image credit: Treve Image

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Address from the Board9.45amRick KaneVice Chair, Disability Employment Australia

Rick Kane has worked within the disability employment sector and government employment assistance programs since 1996. He has worked at WISE Employment for the last seven years, focussing on policy development in relation to employment services in the Australian

and international environment.

He began his career at the Salvation Army, first as an Employment Consultant, and later a Manager of the disability employment program. He also worked as the Executive Officer for Workforce, which merged into WISE Employment. His driving motivation is to assist people who have been impacted by poor mental health and disability through no fault of their own. Rick has a Bachelor of Education.

Rick is the Vice Chair of Disability Employment Australia.

Twitter: @TruckerSlim

Vocal Intelligence: Presentation and speech mastery9.55am

How do you use your voice and what does your voice say about you?

These are the central questions of Vocal Intelligence. Without it we are like a jigsaw scattered in a million pieces and the voice we make is discordant. When we begin to understand how to make our mind, body and voice work together it is as though we are bringing the jigsaw pieces together in a creative and colourful panoramic picture of life.

Vocal Intelligence is a means of getting in touch with coherence of voice, words, emotions, relationships and context.

Dr Louise MahlerDirector, The Art of Business

Louise Mahler is a communication specialist and a proven performer in moving individuals and groups to take positive action through a unique perspective focusing on the unsung wisdom of voice. With a background in opera as well as a strong business background, she has brought the

worlds of art and business together in a pioneering combination that breaks the barriers of standard communication.

Louise has worked with leaders, managers and business groups, providing education and opportunities for personal and team improvement. Positive results abound in lessons for leadership, presentation, sales and customer service, as well as group activities for team building and the ‘opera of organisation’ as a whole.

Dr Mahler lives in the Yarra Valley, Australia, with her husband and two children, among a menagerie of adored animals, including an incredibly affectionate kangaroo called Wally.

Twitter: @louisemahler

Plenary Sessions

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The Future of Employment Services for People with Disability (Panel session)11.20am

What shape does an employment service program need to take in order to better meet the needs of those furthest from the labour market?

Given the major reforms undertaken in the disability environment, there needs to be serious consideration of how a specialist employment program will be shaped to ensure it is relevant to those who most need the program, and will benefit most.

Disability reforms include the adoption of the National Disability Strategy and DisabilityCare Australia, alongside the economic imperative to have every Australian who can, work.

Hear from the Government and opposiiton as well as key stakeholders representing consumers and DES providers. What are they offering and what do we need?

Facilitator: Dr Cassandra GoldieCEO, Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS)

Dr Cassandra Goldie is CEO of the Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS), the peak body for the

community sector in Australia, and the national voice for people experiencing poverty and inequality. She is a leading advocate on economic and social policy, a regular media and public commentator, and a highly respected human rights lawyer.

Cassandra has represented the community sector in major national public policy debates. Her advocacy has helped achieve a range of progressive tax reforms and historic gender equality reforms, among other successes.

Cassandra has a Master of Law from the University of London and a PhD from the University of New South Wales. She has worked globally as a human rights advocate, including through the United Nations.

Twitter: @acoss

The Hon Kate Ellis MPMinister for Employment Participation

In 2004 Kate Ellis was elected to the Australian House of Representatives, as the Member for Adelaide. When the Labor Government was elected in 2007,

Kate was elevated to the frontbench.

Kate is the Minister for Early Childhood, Childcare and Youth and Minister for Employment Participation; she has also held the portfolios of Sport and the Status of Women.

As Minister for Employment Participation, Kate is focused on ensuring that every Australian who can work is able to benefit from the dignity and challenges of a job.

Twitter: @KateEllisMP

Senator Rachel SiewertSenator for Western Australia Australian Greens Party

Senator Rachel Siewert is a dynamic member of the Australian Greens in Parliament who works hard for people both at home in Western Australian

and across the country. Rachel is the Australian Greens Whip, she also holds a number of portfolios for the Australian Greens, including family, community and disability services.

As part of her work she was actively involved in the development of the NDIS participating in the Senate Inquiry into the legislation and secured an amendment that protects the independence of the not-for-profit sector.

Rachel is also working to deliver important improvements to our employment system, including better support for people with a disability who are looking to enter the workforce, and a fairer level of income support through a $50 per week increase to the Newstart Allowance – a move which has been widely supported by the community sector.

Twitter: @SenatorSiewart

Sue RobertsonManaging Director, EDGE Employment Solutions

Sue Robertson is the Managing Director of EDGE Employment Solutions, of which she was co-founder in 1984. She played a seminal role in

establishing open-employment for people with disability in Australia – through Project Employment. Sue replicated the Project Employment model nationally – helping to found many DES providers, a number of which are still operating today.

She has delivered training courses internationally, and won a number of awards for her management prowess. In 1987 Sue was co-winner of the Australian Society for the Study of Intellectual Disability’s National Research Prize for her research in employment of people with disability. She entered the Disability Employment Australia Hall of Fame in 2011.

Twitter: @EdgeEmployment

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Stephen GianniNational Policy Manager, Australian Federation of Disability Organisations (AFDO)

Stephen Gianni is the Australian Federation of Disability Organisations (AFDO)’s National Policy Officer. His

background spans the business, government and community sectors.

Stephen was the CEO of Action for Community Living, CEO of Vicserv, the peak body for the non-government psychiatric disability sector, and a Senior Advocate at the Victorian Office of the Public Advocate. He was the Director of Social Action and Research at the Brotherhood of St Lawrence, and the Director of Leadership Plus a leadership development organisation.

He was also owner and operator of the Clare Castle Bar and Restaurant in Carlton, and is currently Acting CEO of AFDO.

Stephen is partially blind and has direct experience of caring for a child with disability.

Twitter: @AfdoOffice

An Employer’s Journey12.20pm

Herron Todd White is an organisation that had no previous direct experience in employing people with disability. Through a well formed partnership with a local DES provider, Herron Todd White has not only become an employer of two people with disability, but has provided introductions to their corporate partners as well. Bill Waterhouse has championed this engagement from the beginning and is now on the Board of Barkuma, a South Australian disability service provider.

In this session, Bill discusses how Herron Todd White became involved in disability employment, what made the partnership with the DES work and how having employees with disability has benefited his organisation.

Bill WaterhouseDirector, Herron Todd White

Bill Waterhouse is the founding director of Herron Todd White (SA) and has held the position since 1992. The business has grown under Bill’s leadership and now boasts a staff contingent of 40 professionals who provide valuation and property advisory services to banks, lenders, legal and accounting businesses.

Bill is a fellow of the Australian Property Institute (API), a past president of the South Australian division, and has represented South Australia on the API National Council. He has also served as a member of the National Board of Herron Todd White.

Twitter: @HerronToddWhite

Plenary Sessions

Building the capacity of the Disability Employment Services sector

Capability Development

Email: training@disabilityemployment.org.au Phone: 03 9012 6000

Visit: http://bit.ly/DES-CapabilityDevelopment

• Full training packages

• Workshops

• Webinars

• Bespoke & in-house

• Online resources

• Members & non-members

“ Staff at SensWide have found the training offered by Disability Employment Australia to be deed-relevant, contemporary and extremely thorough.

“ They have come away energised with new ideas and fresh approaches. We will definitely enrol for more training into the future as they are excellent professional development and good value for money.”

– John Donnon, Executive Manager, SensWide

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Love Your Work: Self-employment and NEIS1.45pm in Ballroom A

Following on from last year’s popular NEIS presentation, Tom Budgen will provide delegates with stories of successful DES entrepreneurs. The session will focus on the importance of ‘doing what you love’ and building something into a business while looking for work.

Tom will relate examples of part-time hobbies becoming viable businesses and how this ‘test marketing’ is highly regarded by NEIS Assessors. The NEIS outcome rate is an impressive 85.7%.

Tom BudgenPast President, National NEIS Association Inc.

Tom Budgen is qualified in Business and Adult Vocational Education and has delivered the NEIS program for the past 18 years in Queensland and Northern NSW. During that time he has trained, motivated, coached and encouraged over 6,000 clients to follow their passion and build a business

around what they know and what they love doing.

He is keen to see people with disability achieve personal and family goals through self-employment – by taking that first step and starting out small.

You don’t have to be a genius and you don’t need money or mobility. You just need a good idea, the passion and the determination. Tom lives at Chapel Hill in Brisbane with wife Karen and three adult university-committed children who refuse to leave.

Twitter: @NEISgovau

Realities and Practicalities of the New World Order: On your mark, get set, BANG!1.45pm in Ballroom B - Double Session

They’re lining up, the race is on – On your mark, get set, BANG!

Whether you’re in front of the line in the swimming pool, behind the line, still on the blocks, or even still in the changing shed and haven’t heard the call or the gun go off – it’s proving to be an interesting race.

Where is your leadership team – your board, chief executive officer and senior management team?

With such a wide array of Commonwealth government and COAG reforms and changes at hand, the realities and practicalities of the ‘New World Order’ are bearing down on all disability, disability employment and related organisations.

Join Michael for a visionary, insightful and practical take on ‘The New World Order’ and what you can do to power on in the pool.

Michael Goldsworthy Principal Consultant, Australian Strategic Services Pty Ltd

When any human services industry undertakes a paradigm shift, Michael Goldsworthy is there discussing the big issues, analysing the trends, presenting strategic models and providing thought-provoking insights and predictions that assist leadership teams develop practical and achievable

strategies.

Michael first commenced his management consultancy journey with disability organisations 24 years ago. Today he works with boards, chief executive officers and senior managers of disability and disability employment organisations across Australia. He is widely known for his achievements in securing the future of rural, regional and remote disability organisations and his passionate and practical approach to developing strategies that enable sustainable organisational and service solutions.

Twitter: @communitybiz

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Making Relationships Count Online: Social media best practices for disability employment1.45pm in Ballroom C

Social media is now firmly part of Australia’s media landscape, creating unique challenges and opportunities. But how can your organisation develop relationships using social media to enhance effectiveness, engage with audiences and connect with key stakeholders?

This session will get you thinking about planning and resourcing social media to fit your organisation’s objectives, current resources/skills and available budget and look at best-practices that encourage interaction and engagement in two social applications critical for the sector – Facebook and LinkedIn.

Claire O’RourkeAccount Director, Digital and Communications Strategy, Essential Media Communications

Claire O’Rourke spent more than 10 years campaigning and communicating before joining full service agency Essential Media Communications (EMC) in 2011. The former Sydney Morning Herald news journalist was a campaigner at the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance before training similar

organisations in the Asia-Pacific region in press freedom advocacy.

Claire rediscovered her inner geek a few years ago, leapt into a Master of Interactive Multimedia and now, among many not-for-profit clients, oversees digital strategy for the Every Australian Counts campaign for a National Disability Insurance Scheme. The campaign uses online and offline community engagement tactics to build a supporter base of more than 155,000 people since January 2011 – with a scant advertising budget.

Making organisations stronger with better communications is at the heart of EMC. Our national and international team uses a research-based methodology to develop communications strategy that wins.

Twitter: @claireorourke

Yes, I can do Stairs: Increasing the employment of people who are blind or vision impaired1.45pm in Balcony 1 & 2

Potential employees who are blind or vision impaired currently have poor engagement with DES providers and experience high unemployment – but why is this the case?

This session, presented from the consumer perspective, will look at the role DES can play to increase engagement with job seekers. It will also outline workable strategies for recruiters and employers (including government), reflect on accessible procurement practices, and expose myths regarding what people who are blind or vision impaired can do and how.

This session will be informed from the recently released Blind Citizens Australia – Employment Policy Suite and the experiences of job seekers.

Jessica ZammitNational Policy Officer, Blind Citizens Australia

Jessica Zammit is the National Policy Officer for Blind Citizens Australia, the peak national consumer body of, and for, people who are blind or vision impaired in Australia.

Jessica has seven years experience in both advocacy and policy roles working in the not-for-profit sector. She

is responsible for developing strategic campaigns, writing policy, preparing submissions and providing consultation to improve outcomes for people who are blind or vision impaired, including access to meaningful employment and opportunities for employment.

Concurrent Sessions - 1:45pm

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The Art of Engaging Employers: Workforce planning and development2.30pm in Ballroom A

Do your research, start with a link or connection, ask the right questions and talk 25% of the time – maximum. Develop your art of conversation to engage employers and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in assessing their business and workforce needs, leading to long-term, genuine relationships. Keep up-to-date with the latest trends in human resource management and small business to inform your marketing strategy.

This session includes a workshop activity – ‘Develop a Workforce Plan in Five Easy Steps’. It’s not as hard as you think when you have clear process steps, current workforce profile information, a sound approach to future forecasting, a workforce plan template to follow and help from experienced workforce development and planning practitioners.

Wendy PerryHead Workforce Planner, Workforce BluePrint

Wendy Perry is an innovator in workforce planning and development, vocational education and training (VET) and small-medium enterprise (SME) capability – leading thinking, developing practice, translating strategy into action and growing the potential of clients and partners.

Wendy is the Managing Director of Wendy Perry and Associates Pty Ltd and Head Workforce Planner at Workforce BluePrint.

With practical experience working across Australia and internationally in a wide range of sectors, including community services, disability, education, employment services, events, government, health, higher education, small business and vocational education and training (VET) sectors. Wendy is known for her pragmatic and collaborative style.

Wendy has developed a five-step process to build a workforce plan, with an online tool to make the process easy.

Twitter: @waperry

Ticket to Work: A national Australian School Based Apprenticeship model 2.30pm in Ballroom C

The Australian School Based Apprenticeship (ASBA) program ‘Ticket to Work’ increases employability options for students with disability during their final years of schooling. Ticket to Work recognises that students with disability struggle to successfully transition from school to employment, putting them at significant risk of poverty and social exclusion.

Ticket to Work breaks down barriers with students, parents and employers resulting in positive student transitions. The program is underpinned by a stakeholder partnership, and is a transferrable model that can be adapted for use anywhere. In 2012, a National Ticket to Work Network was established to support implementation of this partnership-driven approach across Australia.

Samantha PineCoordinator, Marriot Employment Options

Samantha Pine has a degree in Criminal Justice. During these studies, Samantha developed an interest in the community sector and wanting to work in an area where she could make a difference in the lives of others.

Samantha began working at Marriott Support Services within their Disability

Employment Service (DES) as an Employment Consultant, and is now their DES Coordinator – managing a team of four consultants. In addition to this role, Samantha also promotes Marriott within the local area and liaises with parents, discussing post-school options with them.

Fiona WaughResearch and Partnerships Manager, Bayside Glen Eira Kingston Local Learning and Employment Network (BGK LLEN)

Fiona Waugh is the Research and Communications Manager at the Bayside Glen Eira Kingston Local Learning and Employment Network (BGKLLEN). Fiona has many years of experience working for a range of not-for-profit organisations in the education, disability, youth and welfare

sectors.

Fiona has particular experience in partnership development, project management, research, business development and proposal/tender writing. She is passionate about supporting the development of partnerships and projects that will improve and enhance vulnerable young people’s education, employment, social and wellbeing outcomes.

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Concurrent Sessions - 2:30pm

Louise NicholasProject Officer, Inner Eastern Local Learning and Employment Network (IE LLEN)

Louise Nicholas is a Project Officer at the Inner Eastern Local Learning and Employment Network (IE LLEN), a government-funded, not-for-profit organisation that aims to improve education, training and employment outcomes for young people aged 10–19 years.

Louise has a wealth of project, marketing and administration skills and experience across a broad range of corporate industries that she has brought to her work within the community sector. Passionate about the issues affecting vulnerable young people, Louise has focussed on improving transitions from school to employment for young people with disability through her involvement in the ‘Ticket to Work’ School-Based Apprenticeship and Traineeship program.In addition to this role, Samantha also promotes Marriott within the local area and liaises with parents, discussing post-school options with them.

Margo BrainCommunity Liaison Officer, JobSupply Personnel, Prahran Mission UnitingCare

Margo Brain comes from a background in Human Resource Management and joined the Disability Employment Services (DES) industry four years ago, after a period of working within the corporate environment and other non-government agencies. Margo currently works for JobSupply

Personnel, the DES provider of Prahran Mission UnitingCare as the Community Liaison Officer.

Through her role, she focusses on creating and nurturing community relationships that support job seekers in meeting their employment goals. Margo is passionate about providing pathways to employment to people with disability or who are disadvantaged, and seeing the changes that employment opportunities can make to an individual’s life.

Twitter: @JobSupplyPerson

The Hidden Curriculum of Getting and Keeping a Job: Autism, communication and employment2.30pm in Balcony 1 & 2

In the area of disability employment, autism often stands out as the most misunderstood. This is primarily due to social and communication barriers that are akin to people speaking different languages to each other and then becoming confused when their missive is not understood. The solution is for the neurotypical (non-autistic) to learn to speak autistically and for the autistic to learn to speak neurotypically. Only then can you start to have greater success in autism placements.

This presentation will explore four key areas of autistic communication and give practical strategies to bridge the communication gap.

Malcolm MayfieldManaging Director, Autism STAR Pty Ltd

Malcolm Mayfield is a certified practitioner of Neuro Linguistic Programming, a qualified presenter and trainer. He is also co-author and Australian distributor of the AAPC book ‘The Hidden Curriculum of Getting and Keeping a Job: Navigating the Social Landscape of Employment.’

Malcolm received a diagnosis of Asperger syndrome at the age of 37. This event led him to deeply analyse how his Aspergers had shaped his life in comparison to others on the autism spectrum. He identified key strategies that could be used to assist adults with autism and Asperger syndrome into and within the workforce, and to deliver understanding and autistic communication skills to employment agencies, employers, employees and other organisations and individuals. Autism STAR Pty Ltd was created to deliver those strategies.

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Measuring the Impact: Stable accommodation and the economic participation and social inclusion of homeless people with mental illness3.40pm in Ballroom A

Homeless people participate in the labour market at a much lower rate than the rest of the population. Their ability to secure stable accommodation, participate in employment and in the community may be exacerbated by many factors. Mental Illness Fellowship’s Doorway project aims to improve the opportunities for homeless people with serious mental illness to establish and maintain a home in the private rental sector, utilising the Housing First model.

This session will present the model and examine the correlation between employment and housing outcomes for Doorway participants in the first two years of the project.

Tracey SwadlingRegional Manager, Mental Illness Fellowship Victoria

Tracey Swadling has worked in the employment services sector for most of her working life, including in specialist mental health Disability Employment Services. She is passionate about the importance of economic participation for recovery from serious mental illness and for the

rights of all people with disability to work.

Tracey is responsible for a range of community-managed mental health services, as well as specialist employment and education services for people with mental illness in her role as a Regional Manager with Mental Illness Fellowship Victoria. These include the Doorway homelessness private rental demonstration project, based on the Housing First model, and the Pathways to Participation Initiative, based on the Individual Placement and Support model. Her qualifications include psychology and management.

Twitter: @MIFVic

Mark HeeneyCoordinator, Mental Illness Fellowship Victoria

Mark Heeney has extensive experience in housing and support programs and initiatives for people with an intellectual disability and for people with mental illness, in both Australia and the UK. He is currently working for Mental Illness Fellowship Victoria as a coordinator in the Doorway

Demonstration Project. He leads a team supporting participants to secure and maintain accommodation in the private rental market across mental health service areas of St Vincent’s and Austin Health.

Mark is a member of alliance groups and working groups across inner North East and North West Melbourne; a committee member for the Australasian Society of Intellectual Disability; and has a bachelor’s degree in Applied Science, Disability Studies.

Twitter: @MIFVic

From the Inside: Allowing the client to be visible3.40pm in Ballroom B - Double Session

This session promises to be entertaining and challenging in equal measure. Commencing with the screening of Aphasia (40min), attendees will be invited to participate in a series of discussions and exercises to elicit responses and insights into the experiences and employment capabilities of Carl McIntyre, the film’s protagonist.

If Carl walked into your office tomorrow, what would you see and what would you assume? Would he feel visible?

Rick RandallFestival Director, The Other Film Festival, Arts Access Victoria

Rick Randall is the founding director of The Other Film Festival and tireless advocate for the full participation of people with disability in screen culture as creators, consumers and critics. Rick presented a selection of films from the festival at the UN HQ in NYC in July this year.

His commitment to social justice arises from his practice as a community filmmaker working with people who experience social disadvantage and marginalisation. He has more than 30 years’ experience in media production and has won numerous national and international awards. Rick continues to work as a freelance documentary producer for a wide range of community and corporate clients.

Twitter: @_rick_randall

Sophie SherriffAssociate Director, The Other Film Festival, Arts Access Victoria

Sophie Sherriff has lost and regained employment in the arts directly due to disability.

When diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis 14 years ago, her teaching contract was terminated. She returned to study, retrained, and with career counselling and mentoring, has

adapted and redirected her practise in response to her condition. She now works for Arts Access Victoria and the Other Film Festival.

Twitter: @OtherFilmFest, @ArtsAccessVic

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The Role of Communities of Practice: Supporting inclusive workforce culture and integrated open employment of people with disability3.40pm in Ballroom C

Employees with disability face many barriers in open employment. A lack of understanding and support from some managers and co-workers, difficulties accessing workplace modifications, lack of flexibility in workplace duties, stigma surrounding disability, and fear of bullying and discrimination are cited as key concerns.

This session explores the Communities of Practice concept and methodology as a way of influencing and informing inclusive workforce culture and standards. The importance of a collaborative approach that brings employees with disability and employers together to discuss needs, share information, develop trust and understanding, problem solve, and create policy and practice solutions is highlighted.

Tricia SpargoChief Policy Officer, Disability SA – Department for Communities and Social Inclusion

Tricia Spargo has had 12 years of extensive experience working with people with disability in service delivery, policy and planning roles within South Australia. As a person with a social work background, a lived experience of disability, and a recipient of disability services, she brings a

unique perspective to her work as a Chief Policy Officer in Disability SA.

Tricia is one of the founding members of the Disability Employment Community of Practice within the Department for Communities and Social Inclusion, which has been instrumental in driving organisational change to achieve a more inclusive workforce culture. The Community of Practice celebrated its inaugural year in 2012 by successfully implementing a Special Leave with Pay Policy for employees with disability, which was one of Tricia’s key policy initiatives.

UK Supported Internships: Inclusive employment for young people with significant disability?3.40pm in Balcony 1 & 2

Supported internships are a product of genuine and prolonged effort to bring the benefits of an apprenticeship into the reach of young people with significant and complex disability. We are coming to the conclusion of a one year pilot across 14 sites in the UK, and are planning for national roll out from September 2013.

UK stakeholders are now in a position to influence the decision as to whether this program continues in its current form. What do Australian providers think? Are you for or against? Is this a route to employment or yet another diversion that leads nowhere? Hear the evidence and reach your verdict.

Deborah ParkerCEO, Progress – Employment Support (UK)

Deborah Parker is the CEO of Progress Employment Support, a thriving third sector organisation. She leads with an enviable breadth of skills and 24 years’ experience delivering quality employment support, enabling people with significant disability and their employers to benefit from working

together. Continuous improvement is important to her and she pursues this through study, research, work at a national developmental level, and all-importantly walking the talk on the front line of service delivery.

Appointed as an advisor to the previous UK Government, she has continued to inform and support the development of new legislation and good practice guidelines despite the change in political leadership. Deborah continues to play a key role in bringing front line reality to the policy maker’s line of sight.

Twitter: @Progress_employ

Concurrent Sessions - 3:40pm

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In their Place, from their Story: Relating to clients with acquired brain injury4.25pm in Ballroom A

Over 600,000 Australians have an acquired brain injury (ABI). Of all people with disability, people with an ABI are the most likely to need help with their return to work, and they will generally take more time and need more support to achieve fulfilling and sustainable employment. ABI is a leading – and increasing – cause of disability worldwide. It is 10 times more common than spinal injury and produces, on average, three times the level of disability. Because the injury occurs to the brain, the person is more likely to experience multiple disabilities – physical, cognitive, behavioural – that interact with each other in complex ways.

Based on the latest research evidence and extensive consultations as part of the preparation of training for the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations’ Job Capacity Assessors, this presentation will provide practical suggestions for the accurate assessment of work capacity and the barriers to participation for clients with an ABI.

Nick RushworthExecutive Officer, Brain Injury Australia

Nick Rushworth is Executive Officer of Brain Injury Australia – the national peak acquired brain injury (ABI) advocacy organisation representing the needs of people with an ABI, their families and carers. He was also President of the Brain Injury Association of New South Wales

between 2004 and 2008.

In 1996, armed with a bicycle, Nick attacked two cars. The cars won, but Nick’s recovery from a severe traumatic brain injury was exceptional. Before joining Brain Injury Australia, Nick worked for the Northern Territory Government setting up their new ‘Office of Disability’.

Formerly a producer with the Nine Television Network’s ‘Sunday’ program and ABC Radio National, Nick’s journalism has won a number of awards, including a Silver World Medal at the New York Festival, a National Press Club and TV Week Logie Awards.

Twitter: @BrainInjuryAus

Employment Services Assessments: A study of the impact of changes on job seekers and practitioners4.25pm in Ballroom C

Since the introduction in 2011 of the new Employment Services Assessments (ESAts) to assess job seeker work capacity and to determine appropriate streaming to government employment programs, employment services staff have raised concerns about (a) the reduction in quality of job seeker assessments and (b) the negative impact this was having, particularly for clients with disability.

This session reports on the findings from internal evidence-based research conducted by Break Thru People Solutions, which details the nature and extent of these issues as experienced by Disability Employment Services and Job Services Australia staff and job seekers.

Dr Janice OllertonResearch Coordinator, Break Thru People Solutions

Janice Ollerton joined Break Thru People Solutions as an Employment Consultant in 2000, bringing with her considerable experience from both Australian and British employment and disability industries. Her length of service and industry experience has given Janice comprehensive program

and policy knowledge.

A qualified and engaging adult educator, Janice holds a PhD in Disability Studies. Her key vocational interests are social justice, issues of social inclusion and disability rights. Janice is passionate about the Disability Service Standards and uses her training to support Break Thru in becoming an exemplary service provider, as well as to assist all Break Thru staff in their role of building a more inclusive Australia.

Twitter @Break_Thru

Maria ConroyBusiness Manager, Break Thru People Solutions

Maria Conroy has 25 years experience working with people who are long-term unemployed, and people with disability, injury or health conditions. Her desire to work within the area of mental health arose from her experience setting up the Victorian Accident Rehabilitation Council

(VARC). She was integral in establishing The National Employment and Psychological Services Centre (The NEPS Centre) in Brisbane in 1998.

For the past 15 years, Maria has worked in the disability employment services sector, specialising in assisting clients with mental health issues. Maria is also involved in the Integrated Employment Project and works closely with hospitals, mental health clinics, treating health professionals, and community organisations. Maria is passionate about providing an employment service that assists individuals on their journey to meaningful and sustainable employment by delivering individualised, holistic and tailored support.

Twitter: @Break_Thru

Wednesday 7 August - Day 1

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Supported Employment Practice in NZ: Present and future4.25pm in Balcony 1 & 2

Building relationships between New Zealand and Australia through disability employment peaks means we can better learn from each other. This session will provide an overview of the disability employment situation in New Zealand, including agencies, organisations, practitioners, and clients.

Discussion will revolve around the challenges for the future, including contracts, the political environment, and capacity building. It will outline how the workforce has been professionalised through National Qualifications, training, a practitioner register, and mentoring, among other techniques.

Ian HarperExecutive Officer, Association for Supported Employment in New Zealand

Ian Harper has been the Executive Officer for ASENZ for the past six years. During this time he has worked towards professionalising the supported employment industry in New Zealand. This has included the development of two specific supported employment qualifications, a

practitioner register, workshop presenters, assessors and mentors.

Ian also runs his own consultancy/training business (STEM:NZ) and is best known for his expertise in the human development and mental health areas, specialising in stress, change management and personal performance issues. During the past 15 years, he has presented papers and workshops at various conferences throughout New Zealand, Australia, Eire and the UK.

Emma CarreonAssociation for Supported Employment in New Zealand Board Member, Edge Employment

Emma Carreon has worked in the supported employment field since 1998, with experience in the mental health, blind and vision impaired, and intellectual disability sectors. She has completed her National Diploma in Employment Support, is an Assessor and a Mentor on the program and is

currently an ASENZ Board member.

Twitter: @ASENZ_NZ

Concurrent Sessions - 4:25pm

Page 16

Thursday 8 August - Day 2

Employment First... Second and Third 9.10am

There is a job for everyone who wants to work! This is recognised through the intent of legislation, policy and practice in almost every country with a purposeful disability employment policy. But how close are we to achieving this?

With facts and anecdotes, Dr. Luecking will share features of US disability employment policies and services that are essential for facilitating integrated employment outcomes, contemporary innovations in implementing these services, and how the Employment First movement is promoting wider scale adoption of effective employment services that lead to self-determined, integrated and valued jobs and careers for people with disability.

Dr Richard LueckingPresident, TransCen (USA)

Richard Luecking is President of TransCen, an American non-profit organisation dedicated to improving education and employment success of people with disability.

Richard has headed TransCen since 1987. During this time he has written or directed dozens of research and

demonstration projects that address school to work transition and employment services for people with disability. One of his seminal transition to work projects has been replicated nationally in the US.

Richard presents a successful service model that ensures young people with ongoing support needs leave school fully prepared to enter employment. Work should be an important feature of secondary education and transition programs for youth with disability, including those with significant disability.

To Tender or Not to Tender: The Welsh experience of commissioning and procurement 10.05am

During the last two decades, competitive tendering has been widely used in the UK to secure social services. In Wales, an emerging preference for collaboration and cooperation has informed the development of social commissioning and procurement. By coordinating collaboratively rather than competing, the best outcomes are obtained. That is not to say that Wales does not subject services to any competition, but rather an inclusive approach to commissioning and procurement is sought wherever possible.

This session will explore the lessons learned from the use of competitive tendering and alternative approaches to procuring social services in Wales, and demonstrate some practical tools to support good practice.

Susan Lloyd-SelbyConsultant, SLS Consultancy Services (UK)

Susan Lloyd-Selby has over twenty years of experience working in social care in Wales, in both the voluntary and public sector as well as in government. From 2008 to 2012 she was seconded to the Welsh Government, supporting the development and implementation of

National Commissioning Guidance. Her work included the development of a web-based resource (the Social Care Procurement Route Planner) that sets out a consistent best-practice approach to securing citizen-centred social care services.

Susan is currently developing resources that will enable commissioning organisations to explore a range of options to secure social care services.

Page 17

THE OTHER

FILM FESTIVAL

www.otherfilmfestival.com

PROUDLY SUPPORTS AUSTRALIA’S DISABILITY

EMPLOYMENT CONFERENCE 2013

The Other Film Festival presents contemporary

international cinema celebrating the lived experience of disability

Australia’s only disability film festival is producd by

www.artsaccess.com.au

Plenary Sessions

NOT ALL WORKPLACE RISKS ARE OBVIOUS.

Have you got your people covered?

Australian OH&S regulations require that employers not only manage physical risks and hazards in the workplace, but also psychological ones.

Drake WorkWise supports organisations of all shapes and sizes to fulfil duty of care and understands that workplace wellbeing is directly tied to high performance.

Employee Assistance ProgramManager Support Service

Trauma Management

BuildingBrighter FuturesProgramApply nowContact: Diverse Learning (TOID 21357)Maxine Yeates0427 744 294 | Maxine.Y@bawm.com.au

This training is delivered with State & Commonwealth Government Funding. People from diverse backgrounds and disabilities are encouraged to apply. The program is fully funded by the Victorian Government for applicants who meet eligibility requirements and all participants will be awarded a Certificate I in Work Education (22128VIC) upon successful completion.

Page 18

Tuesday 6 August 2013

12:30pm – 5.00pm Seamless Transitions – Masterclass– Dr Richard Luecking, President, TransCen (USA).Room: Suite 3

Procurement Under the Microscope – MasterclassSusan Lloyd-Selby, Consultant, SLS Consultancy Services (UK)Room: Balcony 1

4:30pm – 7:00pm Registration (Exhibition Area)

5.00pm Welcome Reception (Exhibition Area)

Wednesday 7 August 2013 - Day 1

8.00am – 9.00am Registrations Open (Exhibition Area)

9.00am – 9.05am Welcome – MC Brett de Hoedt

9.05am – 9.15am Welcome to Country – Aunty Georgina Williams

9.15am – 9.45am Great Expectations – Minnie Baragwanath, Chief Executive, Be. Accessible (NZ)

9.45am – 9.55am Address from the Board – Rick Kane, Vice Chairperson, Disability Employment Australia

9.55am – 10.50am Vocal Intelligence: Presentation and speech master – Dr Louise Mahler, Director, The Art of Business

10.50am – 11.20am Morning Tea (Exhibition Area)

11.20am – 12.20pm The Future of Employment Services for People with Disability– Dr Cassandra Goldie, CEO, Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS) (Facilitator)– The Hon Kate Ellis MP, Minister for Employment Participation– Sue Robertson, Managing Director, EDGE Employment Solutions– Stephen Gianni, National Policy Manager, Australian Federation of Disability Organisations (AFDO)– Senator Rachel Siewert, Senator for Western Australia, Australian Greens PartyAdditional Speaker TBA

12.20pm – 12.40pm An Employer’s Journey – Bill Waterhouse, Director, Herron Todd White

12.40pm – 12.45pm Message from our Platinum Sponsor – Leap Training

12.45pm – 1.45pm Lunch (First fl oor – Suites 2&3, Balcony 3&4. Ground fl oor – Victoria Room & Brasserie Restaurant)

1.45pm – 2.25pm Love Your Work: Self employment and NEIS– Tom Budgen, Past President, National NEIS Association Inc.Room: Ballroom A

Realities and Practicalities of the New World Order: On your mark, get set, BANG!– Michael Goldsworthy, Principal Consultant, Australian Strategic Services Pty LtdRoom: Ballroom B

Double Session

Making Relationships Count Online: Social media best practices for disability employment– Claire O’Rourke, Account Director, Digital & Communications Strategy, Essential Media CommunicationsRoom: Ballroom C

Yes, I can do Stairs: Increasing the employment of people who are blind or vision impaired– Jessica Zammit, National Policy Offi cer, Blind Citizens AustraliaRoom: Balcony 1 & 2

2.30pm – 3.10pm The Art of Engaging Employers: Workforce planning and development– Wendy Perry, Head Workforce Planner, Workforce BluePrintRoom: Ballroom A

Ticket to Work: A national Australian School Based Apprenticeship model– Samantha Pine, Coordinator, Marriott Employment Options– Fiona Waugh, Research and Partnerships Manager, Bayside Glen Eira Kingston Local Learning and Employment Network (BGK LLEN)– Louise Nicholas, Project Offi cer, Inner Eastern Local Learning and Employment Network (IE LLEN)– Margo Brain, Community Liaison Offi cer, JobSupply Personnel, Prahran Mission UnitingCareRoom: Ballroom C

The Hidden Curriculum of Getting and Keeping a Job: Autism, communication and employment– Malcolm Mayfi eld, Managing Director, Autism STAR Pty LtdRoom: Balcony 1 & 2

3.10pm – 3.40pm Afternoon Tea (Exhibition Area)

3.40pm – 4.20pm Measuring the Impact: Stable accommodation and the economic participation and social inclusion of homeless people with mental illness– Tracey Swadling, Regional Manager, Mental Illness Fellowship Victoria– Mark Heeney, Coordinator, Mental Illness Fellowship VictoriaRoom: Ballroom A

From the Inside: Allowing the client to be visible– Rick Randall, Festival Director, The Other Film Festival, Arts Access Victoria– Sophie Sherriff, Associate Director, The Other Film Festival, Arts Access VictoriaRoom: Ballroom B

Double Session

The Role of Communities of Practice: Supporting inclusive workforce culture and integrated open employment of people with disability– Tricia Spargo, Chief Policy Offi cer, Disability SA - Department for Communities and Social InclusionRoom: Ballroom C

UK Supported Internships: Inclusive employment for young people with signifi cant disability?– Deborah Parker, CEO, Progress - Employment Support (UK)Room: Balcony 1 & 2

4.25pm – 5.05pm In their Place, from their Story: Relating to clients with acquired brain injury– Nick Rushworth, Executive Offi cer, Brain Injury AustraliaRoom: Ballroom A

Employment Services Assessments: A study of the impact of changes to job seekers and practitioners– Dr Janice Ollerton, Research Co-ordinator, Break Thru People Solutions– Maria Conroy, Business Manager, Break Thru People SolutionsRoom: Ballroom C

Supported Employment Practice in NZ: Present and future– Ian Harper, Executive Offi cer, Association for Supported Employment in New Zealand (ASENZ)– Emma Carreon, ASENZ Board Member, Edge EmploymentRoom: Balcony 1 & 2

7.00pm – 11.00pm Gala Dinner National Wine Centre of Australia

Program

Page 19

Thursday 8 August 2013 - Day 2

8.30am – 9.00am Registration (Exhibition Area)

9.00am – 9.10am Welcome to Day Two – MC Brett de Hoedt

9.10am – 9.50am Employment First... Second and Third – Dr Richard Luecking, President, TransCen (USA)

9.50am – 10.05am Short Film: Beautiful, 2010, Dir. Genevieve Clay-Smith

10:05am – 10.45am To Tender or Not to Tender: The Welsh experience of commissioning and procurement – Susan Lloyd-Selby, Consultant, SLS Consultancy Services (UK)

10.45am – 11.15am Morning Tea (Exhibition Area)

11.15am – 11.55am Social Enterprises: Transitioning Australian Disability Enterprises– Susan Black, Manager of Employment, Social Ventures Australia– Caroline Crosse AM, Executive Director, Social Firms Australia (SoFA)Room: Ballroom A

Managing Personal Information: A new way to assist jobseekers with severe and persistent mental illness– Dr Geoff Waghorn, Senior Scientist, Head of Social Inclusion and Recovery Research, The Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research (QCMHR)Room: Ballroom B

Cultural Diversity and Disability: Unravelling the complexity– Dwayne Cranfi eld, CEO, National Ethnic Disability Alliance– Suresh Rajan, President, National Ethnic Disability AllianceRoom: Ballroom C

Demand-led Employment Initiatives: Successes and early lessons– Andrea De Almeida, Project Manager, Social Ventures AustraliaRoom: Balcony 1 & 2

12.00pm – 12.40pm

Employer Attitudes to Employing People with Mental Illness– Rick Kane, Policy Advisor, WISE EmploymentRoom: Ballroom A

Better Practice Guide: Demonstration pilots– Rina Bruinsma, Director, Labour Market Policy Branch, DEEWRRoom: Ballroom B

Employment Pathway Plans: Shared insights– Joe Lee, Director DES Support and Improvement, Specialist Employment Services Group, DEEWR– Bevan Burkin, Policy and Capability Manager, Disability Employment AustraliaRoom: Ballroom C

Help or Hindrance? Employer views on employment service providers and employer-led disability employment initiatives– Kylee Bates, General Manager, Employment Solutions - Vic/Tas/SA/WA, Mission AustraliaRoom: Balcony 1 & 2

12.40pm – 1.40pm Lunch (First fl oor – Suites 2&3, Balcony 3&4. Ground fl oor – Victoria Room & Brasserie Restaurant.)

1.40pm – 2.00pm Address from DEEWR– Fiona Buffi nton, Group Manager, Specialist Employment Services, DEEWR

2:00pm – 3.00pm Raising the Bar: DisabilityCare Australia– Craig Harrison, Executive Manager, Personnel Employment– Dr Mark Bagshaw, Managing Director, Innov8 Consulting Group

3:00pm – 3.30pm Afternoon Tea (Exhibition Area)

3.30pm – 4.30pm The Hard End of Employment: Is this our opportunity to be included?– George Negus, Journalist (Facilitator)– Prof Phil Lewis, Professor of Economics, Director, Centre for Labour Market Research (CLMR), University of Canberra– Jenny Lambert, Director - Employment, Education and Training, Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI)– Deborah Homewood, Managing Director, MAXNetWork Australia– Sue Beitz, General Manager, Australian Workforce and Productivity Agency

4.30pm – 4.40pm Closing Address– Lynette May, Chief Executive Offi cer, Disability Employment Australia

4.40pm Conference Close

Welcome Reception Venue

5.00pm–7.00pm, Tuesday 6 August 2013

Hilton Adelaide Hotel (see map on page 2) Level One 233 Victoria Square Adelaide

Conference Dinner Venue

7.00pm–11.00pm, Wednesday 7 August 2013

National Wine Centre of Australia Hackney Road Adelaide

The National Wine Centre is approximately two and a half kilometres from the Hilton Adelaide. Coaches will be available to transport guests to and from the venue.

The striking National Wine Centre of Australia boasts floor to ceiling windows and magnificent views of the Botanic Gardens, so you can look forward to a three course dinner in fine surrounds. A red carpet theme combined with excellent entertainment from Acoustic Juice – perfect for those keen to get on the dance floor – make this a night to look forward to.

The 2013 Hall of Fame recipients will be awarded during the dinner.

Dress code is formal/evening wear – ‘red carpet’ theme optional.

Conference Dinner Venue: National Wine Centre of Australia

Hackney Road

Page 20

Social Enterprises: Transitioning Australian Disability Enterprises 11.15am in Ballroom A

Social Ventures Australia is leading a consortium with partners: Social Firms Australia (SoFA), Social Traders and Matrix on Board, in the delivery of a project funded by the Australian Government to support Australian Disability Enterprises (ADE’s) to transition to social enterprises. To date, 20 workshops have been delivered around the country and 20 business reviews undertaken on ADE’s.

This session will deliver the project findings: naming the drivers for change on ADE business and support models; sharing the lessons learned in managing change, growing the business, measuring impact and building new partnerships and alliances; and exploring links between ADE’s and Disability Employment Service (DES) in supporting people with disability into open employment.

Susan BlackManager of Emplopyment, Social Ventures Australia

In 2006, Susan Black joined Social Ventures Australia in Brisbane to lead the founding of the first Social Enterprise Hub in Australia. With current and in-depth experience in social enterprise development and collaborative impact projects, Susan is a regular presenter in these areas at

conferences and workshops. Susan is Chair of SVA’s Reconciliation Action Group; Oxfam Australia Board member and Chair of their Governance Committee; and an Associate of Centre for Social Response, a community development training organisation. Susan has a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy and Master of Social Welfare Administration and Planning, both from the University of Queensland.

Twitter: @Social_Ventures

Caroline Crosse AMExecutive Director, Social Firms Australia (SoFA)

Caroline Crosse has worked in the field of rehabilitation and employment support for people with mental illness for more than 25 years, and was involved in the introduction of the Clubhouse model of vocational rehabilitation to Australia. In 2001 she was awarded a Churchill Fellowship to

investigate other supportive employment options for people with mental illness. Caroline was the co-founder of Social Firms Australia which supports not-for-profit organisations to establish social firms - commercially viable social enterprises that employ up to half the workforce with mental illness or disability. SoFA also provides assistance to workplaces in best practice supports for people with mental illness. In 2012 Caroline received an Order of Australia Award for her work in developing innovative approaches to helping people with mental illness find employment.

Twitter: @SocialFilmAus

Managing Personal Information: A new way to assist job seekers with severe and persistent mental illness11.15am in Ballroom B

Vocational recovery remains elusive for many people with severe and persistent mental illness. Many clients chose non-disclosure, and consequently experience typically worse outcomes than those who formally disclose.

Over the past 10 years Dr Waghorn and others at QCMHR have developed a structured approach to managing personal information which is more promising than offering people a simple binary choice about disclosure. It is a strengths-based method and empowers clients by helping them retain control of their own personal information.

This session will introduce a new and systematic approach to managing sensitive personal information throughout the employment pathway.

Dr Geoff WaghornSenior Scientist, Head of Social Inclusion and Recovery Research, The Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research (QCMHR)

Geoff Waghorn heads the Social Inclusion and Recovery Research team at QCMHR, a Queensland Health funded research facility with University affiliations. This team conducts research to increase the social inclusion of people with severe and persistent mental illness.

The team has published over 70 articles and book chapters in this field. The team’s research goals include developing and trialling the systems, measures, and interventions needed to help people with severe and persistent mental illness to become active and fully included members of the wider community.

Twitter: @QCMHR

Thursday 8 August - Day 2

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Concurrent Sessions - 11:15am

Cultural Diversity and Disability: Unravelling the complexity11.15am in Ballroom C

Delegates will gain a better appreciation of the cross-cultural issues relating to disability in Australia. Nearly 20% of the DES caseload (approximately 29,000 people) is flagged as ‘CALD’.

This session will focus on practical strategies that can be used to foster greater rapport and engagement with participants from diverse backgrounds on the frontline.

Dwayne CranfieldCEO, National Ethnic Disability Alliance

Dwayne Cranfield has worked within the welfare sector since 1983, advocating for the rights of disenfranchised people - including refugees in Sweden, young male sex offenders in the USA, and homeless youth in Newcastle.

In recent years, Dwayne has gravitated towards issues of homelessness, disability and adult mental health in the ACT. This change in direction was prompted by an assault sustained from a client in 1999, which left Dwayne with an acquired brain injury.

Dwayne is the current sitting Chair of Advocacy for Inclusion, he holds several qualifications in both Disability and Community Sector Management.

Dwayne’s current position is that of CEO at the National Ethnic Disability Alliance (NEDA). NEDA is the national peak organisation representing the rights and interests of people from non-english speaking backgrounds with disability, their families and carers throughout Australia.

Suresh RajanPresident, National Ethnic Disability Alliance

Suresh Rajan is a former president of the Ethnic Communities Council of Western Australia. He is a regular contributor on the subject of multiculturalism to media in Perth. He is also an ambassador for people with disability and is the President of the National Ethnic Disabilities Alliance (NEDA).

His career began with the Australian Taxation Office in Perth and over a period of seven years managed various sections of the Taxation Department, in both Perth and Canberra. Suresh has an accountant’s background and has regularly appeared on television and radio as an economics commentator. Suresh has a Bachelor of Commerce and a Master of Business Administration.

Suresh’s passion has always been the better integration of migrant communities with Aboriginal communities. He continues to work towards that end.

Demand-led Employment Initiatives: Successes and early lessons11.15am in Balcony 1 & 2

This session will examine lessons learned to date from the development of a new collaborative employment venture – the Industry Employment Initiative (IEI). The IEI is engaging deeply with national employers in a process of co-design to test an alternative training, recruitment and support pathway to meet their entry-level recruitment needs around the country, while improving employment outcomes for long-term unemployed job seekers.

The overarching principles for the model are that it is demand-led and it will provide employers with a single contact point at the national level to support their workforce planning and facilitate delivery of local hiring solutions. This session will also explore Australian and international case studies that have formed part of the evidence base for the IEI.

Andrea De AlmeidaProject Manager, Social Ventures Australia

Andrea De Almeida is the Project Manager for the Industry Employment Initiative – a Social Ventures Australia project connecting national employers with disadvantaged job seekers across Australia. Andrea has over 10 years experience in project management, consulting and evaluation across the

public and private sectors, namely KPMG and the Victorian Government. Her work has focused on streamlining operations across government, enhancing stakeholder collaboration, and significantly improving the monitoring and evaluation of outcomes for government and not-for-profits.

Andrea holds a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Public Policy and Management (Hons) from the University of Melbourne, and is a PhD candidate at Monash University.

Twitter: @Social_Ventures

Page 22

Employer Attitudes to Employing People with Mental Illness12.00pm in Ballroom A

WISE Employment commissioned McNair Ingenuity Research to conduct a national study with small to medium enterprises (SMEs) to gauge their attitudes towards employing people with mental illness. The 2012 report consists of 254 in-depth interviews with CEOs, GMs and other managers from a range of industries involved in making decisions about employing new staff. Among other findings, the report highlights that 68% of employers who have employed a person with mental illness continue to do so.

This session will also discuss WISE’s three year Empowermental project that aims to break down stigma and encourage Australian businesses to employ people with mental illness.

Rick KanePolicy Advisor, WISE Employment

Rick Kane has worked within the disability employment sector and government employment assistance programs since 1996. He has worked at WISE Employment for the last seven years, focussing on policy development in relation to employment services in the Australian

and international environment.

He began his career at the Salvation Army, first as an Employment Consultant, and later a Manager of the disability employment program. He also worked as the Executive Officer for Workforce, which merged into WISE Employment.

His driving motivation is to assist people who have been impacted by poor mental health and disability through no fault of their own. Rick has a Bachelor of Education.

Rick is the Vice Chair of Disability Employment Australia.

Twitter: @TruckerSlim, @WISE_Employment

Better Practice Guide: Demonstration pilots12.00pm in Ballroom B

DEEWR’s Innovation Fund and Job Services Australia Demonstration Pilots have been trialling innovative ways of helping disadvantaged job seekers and ideas for enhancements to the way employment services are delivered.

Delegates will be provided with an overview of the emerging learning, its applicability to DES, and implications for the design of employment services after 2015.

Rina BruinsmaDirector, Labour Market Policy Branch, DEEWR

Rina Bruinsma is a Director in the Labour Market Policy Branch, Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations. Rina leads a team responsible for developing policy to increase the labour force participation of highly disadvantaged job seekers. Rina’s team is responsible

for the Job Services Australia Demonstration Pilots – twenty pilots trialling new ways to support highly disadvantaged job seekers.

A focus for the team is to inform the development of the new employment services model for Job Services Australia and Disability Management Services to be implemented from 2015. The team has a particular interest in policy designed to support job seekers with multiple barriers to employment, including disability and mental illness, homelessness, or a history of interaction with the criminal justice system.

Twitter: @DEEWRemployment

Thursday 8 August - Day 2

Page 23

Employment Pathway Plans: Shared insights12.00pm in Ballroom C

This session will equip delegates with knowledge of DEEWR’s enhanced approach to tailored servicing under KPI3 of the DES Deed.

Better understand the compliance requirements and sharpen your writing skills to create tailored and individualised plans. Gain an understanding of the emerging learning following the recent EPP education phase.

Joe LeeDirector DES Support and Improvement, Specialist Employment Services Group, DEEWR

Joe Lee is the Director of the DES Program Support and Improvement Team in DEEWR’s National Office. He has worked in the disability employment area within DEEWR’s National Office since 2006.

Joe has been working on employment services since he commenced in

the Australian Public Service in 1993. One of his current responsibilities is to improve the quality of Employment Pathway Plans for DES participants.

Twitter: @DEEWRemployment

Bevan BurkinPolicy and Capability Manager, Disability Employment Australia

Bevan Burkin has worked as an employment services professional for over fourteen years. He is committed to improving the capacity of the sector, and has on the ground experience supporting multiple employment services contracts across regional and metropolitan Victoria, Tasmania and

Western Australia.

Through his enthusiasm for sharing best practices and performance strategies, he strives to change employer perceptions regarding disability. His strong policy analysis and facilitating skills make him an effective advocate for the sector. Bevan holds a Bachelor of Arts (Cultural Studies and Writing), a Diploma of Employment Services, a Diploma of Community Services (Case Management) as well as a Certificate IV in Workplace Training and Assessment.

Twitter: @DisabilityEmplt

Help or Hindrance? Employer views on employment service providers and employer-led disability employment initiatives12.00pm in Balcony 1 & 2

In 2012, Kylee Bates undertook a Churchill Fellowship to examine employer-led initiatives for increasing the workforce participation of people with disability. Visiting the US, UK, Ireland and Denmark, Kylee specifically sought examples of current business-led initiatives and employers’ views on the role of employment service providers in contributing to their success.

This session will provide an overview of some of the key insights obtained regarding what is driving employer behaviour – including the key success factors. Kylee will share some examples of successful employer initiatives, and suggest areas of opportunity for Australian employment service providers to better catalyse and harness employer interest.

Kylee BatesGeneral Manager, Employment Solutions - Vic/Tas/SA/WA, Mission Australia

Kylee Bates is General Manager of Mission Australia Employment Solutions across Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia. She oversees the delivery of a range of employment services programs, including to people with disability.

Prior to joining Mission Australia in 2008, Kylee worked for the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, and held various policy and program roles with the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs.

She was Deputy CEO at Volunteering Australia and now serves as Vice President of the International Association for Volunteer Effort (IAVE). In 2012 Kylee undertook a Churchill Fellowship and travelled to six countries to examine employer-led initiatives that are increasing the employment of people with disability. She is honoured to chair Mission Australia’s Disability Action Plan Committee.

Twitter: @missionaust

Conference SponsorsConcurrent Sessions - 12:00pm

Page 24

Address from DEEWR1.40pm

It has been almost 12 months since the DES-ESS tender process. The new five-year DES-ESS contract has been in place for almost six months, we are half way through the DES-DMS extended contract and DisabilityCare has recently launched in a number of locations.

Within these settings Fiona will take the audience through the Department’s key priorities for DES in the next 12 months. This includes the upcoming business reallocation for DES-DMS, provider capability building and accountability, existing and upcoming program assurance activities and the interactions of DES with DisabilityCare.

Fiona BuffintonGroup Manager, Specialist Employment Services, DEEWR

Fiona Buffinton is the Group Manager of the Specialist Employment Services Group in DEEWR. Fiona’s key focus is on the delivery of employment services assistance for mature aged job seekers, people with disability and other highly disadvantaged job seekers.

She also has policy responsibility for the gateway assessments for the employment services, including the Job Seeker Classification Instrument and Employment Services Assessments. Previously Fiona was Group Manager of the Higher Education Group in DEEWR. Fiona has Bachelor degrees in Economics and Arts (Asian Studies) from the Australian National University.

@DEEWRemployment

Raising the Bar: DisabilityCare Australia2.00pm

The National Disability Insurance Scheme offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to close the participation gap for people with disability. However, there are ominous signs that the NDIS may be hampered by the lack of aspiration that our community has regarding the capacity of people with disability to contribute to the economic and social fabric of our nation.

This session will explore the opportunities and challenges of creating a truly great NDIS, and will discuss a core set of actions to guide the reform process – which were outlined in the recently released ‘Raising the Bar’ Discussion Paper. Dialogue will focus on the implications of the NDIS for the employment of people with disability, and for Australia’s Disability Employment Service, including the extent to which the current DES system is structured to respond to these dynamics.

Craig HarrisonExecutive Manager, Personnel Employment

Craig Harrison has worked across Australia in a variety of roles surrounding social justice causes, particularly within the disability employment sector. Initially working as a Residential Care worker in the South Australian Juvenile Justice program in the late 70s, he went on to review and

implement programs in support of at-risk youth. In the late 80s, he used the skills he had developed to launch a workshop for Disability Employment Services.

By the 90s, Craig had joined Personnel Employment, where he worked as a Job Coordinator, Manager, and eventually established a Research, Development and Training division. From 2000, Craig spent five years as an Executive member on the Australian Disability Training Advisory Council, and has since served on a number of boards in the disability employment sector.

Craig was inducted into Disability Employment Australia’s Hall of Fame in 2010.

Thursday 8 August - Day 2

Page 25

Dr Mark BagshawManaging Director, Innov8 Consulting Group

Mark Bagshaw is the Managing Director of the Innov8 Consulting Group which specialises in complex national and international structure, systems and process re-engineering projects across the government, business and community sectors - focusing particularly in helping

enterprises engage effectively in our increasingly global society. Clients have included the Australian Federal Government, state governments, the Lifetime Care and Support Authority, the Australian Red Cross and Virgin Australia.

His current primary focus is to demonstrate how addressing the issues faced by people who are economically disadvantaged makes good business and economic sense, as well as being right for our society. He is passionate about social reform and particularly about the crucial role that education performs in developing a just, healthy society.

Twitter: @MarkBagshaw

The Hard End of Employment: Is this our opportunity to be included? (Panel Session)3.30pm

We have heard about a patchwork economy, we’ve heard that the resources boom is losing its bang. The skills we needed 10 years ago are no longer needed, let alone valued. We have an ageing population and need more working aged people in employment.

The real question is: What does it mean for the person with disability who wants to work – the people at the hard end of the labour market.

Is this the opportunity we have been waiting for? If so, what do we need to do to make both work and careers a reality?

Facilitator: George Negus, Journalist

George is a well-known Australian author and veteran journalist, having been at the forefront of Australian political journalism in print, radio and television for 30 years.

He has been a correspondent for and hosted more than half a dozen current affairs shows, dealing with a broad

range of issues cutting across Australian society and politics. George has presented Dateline, hosted George Negus Tonight and Foreign Correspondent. He was also a founding member of 60 Minutes.

Twitter @GeorgeNegus

Prof Phil LewisProfessor of Economics, Director, Centre for Labour Market Research (CLMR), University of Canberra

Phil Lewis is a Professor of Economics and Director of the Centre for Labour Market Research (CLMR) at the University of Canberra. Phil is among the best-known economists in the area of the economics of employment, education and training in Australia and is the author of over 100 publications

including journal articles and a book.

As well as working in government, he has produced a number of major reports for the private and public sectors. Phil is a member of the editorial board of the Australian Journal of Labour Economics.

He is Past National President of the Economic Society of Australia and Past President of the Western Australian and Canberra branches of the Society. In 2008 he was awarded the Honorary Fellow Award by the Economic Society for his exceptional contribution to the economics profession.

Jenny LambertDirector - Employment, Education and Training, Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI)

Currently the Director of Employment, Education and Training at ACCI, Jenny Lambert has been serving the business community for 26 years as a senior manager within industry associations – including 17 years as a CEO of associations, largely in the services sector.

Jenny took on her first CEO role as head of Restaurant and Catering NSW, and then jointly took on the national CEO role until 1999. Then followed six years as CEO of Meetings and Events Australia, overseeing among other activities, a structured professional development and accreditation system. In 2005, she became CEO of Nursery and Garden Industry Australia and in 2007, CEO of the National Tourism Alliance, which is the peak body for tourism associations nationally.

Twitter: @ACCIBizVoice, @eetacci

Plenary Sessions

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The Hard End of Employment: Is this our opportunity to be included? (continued) 3.30pm

Deborah HomewoodManaging Director, MAXNetWork Australia

Deborah Homewood joined MAXNetWork Australia as Managing Director 12 months ago. Deborah is extremely passionate about her work and is the driving force behind MAX’s motto ‘finding jobs, changing lives’. Deborah believes that everyone should be provided with the chance to work.

Prior to joining MAXNetWork, Deborah was the Australia and New Zealand CEO of Pacnet. Her leadership and enthusiasm have helped create an office culture that is both professional and forward-looking.

Ms Homewood has a Master of Management from Macquarie Graduate School of Management – this combined with her nursing background explains her caring and personable approach to business. Earlier this year, she spent the night locked up in gaol as part of Whitelion’s bailout event to raise money for disadvantaged youth.

Twitter: @MaxJobsDrive, @debkhome

Sue Beitz, General ManagerAustralian Workforce and Productivity Agency

Sue Beitz is the General Manager of the Australian Workforce and Productivity Agency (AWPA), formerly known as Skills Australia. She has held this role since the establishment of Skills Australia in 2008. Sue supports the Chief Executive Officer and the AWPA Board.

The secretariat is responsible for the Board’s day-to-day activities of policy development, communications and administrative duties. These responsibilities underpin AWPA’s role as an independent statutory body, providing advice to the Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Science and Research on Australia’s current, emerging and future workforce skills needs and workforce development needs.

Sue has 20 years’ experience in education and employment issues. Her prior roles have included labour market policy, implementation of industrial relations policy and governance of income support payments. She commenced her career as a vocational counsellor undertaking case management in occupational health and safety and rehabilitation.

Twitter: @AWP_Agency

Closing Address4.30pm

Lynette MayChief Executive Officer, Disability Employment Australia

Lynette May has been the CEO of Disability Employment Australia since early 2010. She comes from a diverse background, with experience in community development, trade unions, aged care and disability employment. She is committed to helping people see their own potential,

and assisting them to achieve their aspirations.

Lynette’s knowledge and understanding of the many nuances of disability employment more generally, and the Disability Employment Services program specifically, make her an excellent leader and advocate for the sector.

Lynette has shared the life journey of her 35-year-old son, who is now working in open employment. She has a Bachelor of Psychology and Business and a Master of Applied Science in the Psychology of Coaching.

Twitter: @disabilityemplt

Thursday 8 August - Day 2

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Platinum – Major Conference Sponsor

Leap Training

Phone: 1300 465 327 · Website: www.leaptraining.com · Email: molly@leaptraining.com

From our South Melbourne HQ, Leap Training specialises in delivering real industry skills across Australia through cutting-edge, flexible online learning. We’re committed to empowering students with real skills and connecting them with the workplace through scenario-based learning and on to work placement. We strive to provide the best course content, delivered on the most sophisticated, purpose-built platform around.

After five years, 50,000 students and 8,500 consultants’ worth of experience in Job Services Australia, we’re proud to be bringing our industry-leading training solutions to Disability Employment Services (DES). Leap is determined to make the biggest impact possible, which is why we are working closely with Disability Employment Australia and other key DES groups to understand the sector as best we can across our entire organisation so that we can make a real, lasting difference.

Leap Training is proud to be the major sponsor of Australia’s Disability Employment Conference 2013 and to be showcasing our fully-supported online training solutions: solutions that maximise employment opportunities for people living with disability.

To find out more about how we can help you and your clients on their pathway to employment, call us on 1300 465 327 or check us out at www.leaptraining.com

Gold – Gala Dinner Sponsor

Diverse Learning

Phone: 03 9907 1951 · Website: www.diverselearning.com.au · Email: maxine.y@bawm.com.au

Diverse Learning and our staff understand and are solely dedicated to training and supporting the preparatory journeys of people with disability looking to participate in meaningful work.

The company is a unique brand of the BAWM Group, which is growing to be one of Australia’s largest privately-owned education businesses. The Group currently engages with over 11,000 students nationally in a variety of programs, courses and qualifications.

Our Building Brighter Futures program for people with disability is accessible, unique, and cares for the whole person by bridging the gaps between Life, Learning and Employment. The program is tailored around six themes that seek to break down barriers and empower our students in learning and work environments. These themes are industry knowledge, goal setting, employability, wellness, self-management and career and education pathways. Training is varied, fun and fulfilling, and encourages sustained, goal-directed behaviours, with additional support provided in the areas needed to ease the student’s journey into the workforce.

Sponsors

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Silver – Coffee Cart Sponsor

WorkFocus AustraliaPhone: 1800 464 800 · Website: www.jobaccess.gov.au · Email: jobaccessadvice@workfocus.com

WorkFocus Australia delivers two key Australian Government services: JobAccess and the National Disability Recruitment Coordinator (NDRC).

The NDRC helps employers find the right people for the right jobs. It partners with large Australian employers to build disability knowledge and confidence, and helps businesses break down barriers to employment for people with disability.

JobAccess helps employers, providers and job seekers with practical advice on employing people with disability, as well as workplace modifications. It also administers the Employment Assistance Fund, which provides financial assistance to purchase work-related modifications and services.

To learn more, please call 1800 464 800 or go to www.jobaccess.gov.au

Bronze – Satchel Sponsor

Uniting Care Phone: 08 8440 2177 · Website: www.ucwpa.org.au/ascent · Email: cjolly@ucwpa.org.au

UnitingCare Wesley Port Adelaide (UCWPA)

For over 90 years, UnitingCare Wesley Port Adelaide (UCWPA) has been at the forefront of building communities. Every year, 900+ staff and 160 volunteers deliver high-quality person-centered programs across aged care, community welfare and employment services that respond proactively to the needs of over 27,000 people.

Employment Access (EA) supports jobseekers with disability, particularly mental health-related disabilities, to find and maintain employment. EA operates from two main centres and outreach sites across Northern and Western Employment Service Areas in South Australia. Jobseekers work closely with an Employment and Training Officer to become job ready. This includes assistance with resume preparation, training and interview skills, finding jobs and maintaining employment.

Sponsors

Page 29

Diverse Learning®Stand 1Phone: 03 9907 1951 · Website: www.diverselearning.com.au · Email: maxine.y@bawm.com.au

Diverse Learning understands and are dedicated to training and supporting the preparatory journeys of people with disability looking to participate in meaningful work. The Company is a unique brand of the BAWM Group which is growing to be one of Australia’s largest privately-owned education businesses and currently engages with over 11,000 students nationally in a variety of programs, courses and qualifications.

Our Building Brighter Futures program for people with disability is accessible, unique, and cares for the whole person by bridging the gaps between Life, Learning and Employment. The program is tailored around themes which seek to break down barriers and empower our students in learning and work environments.

Community CareersStand 2Phone: 1300 001 105 · Website: www.communitycareers.com.au · Email: info@communitycareers.com.au

Community Careers (part of the Rimfire Group) is a leading provider of HR and Recruitment services to the community services sector. We offer a range of tailored human resource services, including salary benchmarking, online job portal, staff satisfaction surveys and workforce development initiatives.

We also specialise in recruitment process outsourcing, the recruitment of permanent and contract resources, as well as the project management of bulk recruitment projects. Whether you are looking for talent or you are job seeker looking for that right role, we are here to facilitate a successful match.

Leading DirectionsStand 3Phone: 0417 220 911 · Website: www.leadingdirections.com.au · Email: info@leadingdirections.com.au

Leading Directions helps Disability Employment Service (DES) providers simplify compliance and maximise star ratings through two unique products: BUDDY and PERFORMANCE REPORTS.

• BUDDY is a web-based version of Standard Operating Procedures for the DES contract, managed and updated entirely off-site. Users simply need to log in to the BUDDY website to have instant access to easy, current, step-by-step instructions for every procedure required to operate DES. BUDDY allows DES providers to gain quality control with ease, irrespective of the size of the organisation (100 sites or 1), and is equally suitable for Case Managers at all levels of experience.

• The PERFORMANCE REPORT analyses site and ESA performance and projects future performance and targets, even in times of limited DEEWR data.

Ascent Training GroupStand 4Phone: 08 8723 6066 · Website: www.ascenttraining.com.au · Email: admin@ascenttraining.com.au

Ascent Training is an RTO that specialises in face-to-face accredited vocational training in business, administration, management, retail and community services. Ascent understands and has experience in the engagement, delivery and support to assist DES clients with Cert II to Diploma-level qualifications.

‘An outstanding RTO that delivers exceptional and customised service to clients with disability in terms of vocational development. Ascent Training knows how to engage clients and support them through to completion with practical training and encouragement with the knowledge of the disability sector and mental health.’

CommunityPeople, Information and Business Improvement

Careers

LeadingDirections

Exhibitors

Page 30

Leap TrainingStands 5 & 6Phone: 1300 465 327 · Website: www.leaptraining.com · Email: molly@leaptraining.com

From our South Melbourne HQ, Leap Training specialises in delivering real industry skills across Australia through cutting-edge, flexible online learning. We’re committed to empowering students with real skills and connecting them with the workplace through scenario-based learning and on to work placement.

After five years, 50,000 students and 8,500 consultants’ worth of experience in Job Services Australia, we’re proud to be bringing our industry-leading training solutions to Disability Employment Services.

To find out more about how we can help you and your clients on their pathway to employment, call us on 1300 465 327 or check us out at www.leaptraining.com.

Shine RecruitmentStand 7Phone: 07 3122 3933 · Website: www.shinerecruitment.com.au · Email: tegan@shinerecruitment.com.au

Shine Recruitment specialises in recruitment for the Employment Services industry, and are well known for assisting DES and JSA organisations to attract high-calibre staff. Due to our strong networks and outstanding service we have a proven track record in attracting candidates to businesses across the nation, including regional and remote areas. Shine Recruitment has the ability to recruit staff at all levels, and our team are passionate about servicing this unique and specialised industry.

BSI Group Australia and New ZealandStand 8Phone: 1300 730 134 · Website: www.bsigroup.com.au · Email: sales.aus@bsigroup.com

BSI Group is a global organisation that equips businesses with the necessary solutions to turn standards of best practice into habits of excellence. BSI helps its clients drive performance, reduce risk and grow sustainability.

BSI works in partnership with a range of clients, from small and medium-size enterprises through to leading multi-national corporations. We have expertise across all sectors, including manufacturing, construction, health and disability services, information technology, through to government and the not-for-profit sector. To date we have helped over 65,000 organisations in 150 countries worldwide to achieve their business objectives, maintain a competitive edge and add value to their business.

JobReady.LiveStand 9 Phone: 02 9018 5525 · Website: www.jobready.com.au · Email: johnm@jobready.com.au

For over 16 years, JobReady software has been assisting Employment Service Providers achieve phenomenal results. JobReady understands what DES Providers need: more placements, more outcomes, more time and more stars.

JobReady.Live is our most advanced software yet, designed to revolutionise the industry. Completely web-based and mobile, reducing admin, powerful vacancy and referral management system, instant report population, reducing non-compliance, seamless communication with ESS. . . and much more. Please come and see us at our booth for a demonstration and see how JobReady.Live can help your organisation.

Exhibitors

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Everyday Girl FridayStand 10Phone: 0428 283 144 · Website: www.everydaygirlfriday.com.au · Email: info@everydaygirlfriday.com.au

Everyday Girl Friday specialises in the Australian Employment Services and Training industries. We focus on assisting organisations to effectively deliver DEEWR & FaHCSIA funded programs through contractual understanding and compliance, service delivery, quality assurance, and individualising delivery strategies specific to the organisation and geographic coverage.

At Everyday Girl Friday, our purpose is to help providers:

Simplify - Streamline processes and procedures while maintaining contractual compliance.

Style - Represent your organisation and highlight your business’s unique style and competitive edge.

Succeed - We’ll show you how to attract and hold onto your valued customers and clients and exceed their expectations.

Inside CrewStand 11Phone: 0417 436 363 · Website: www.insidecrew.com.au · Email: chrish@scitus.com.au

Scitus Recruitment gives businesses smart solutions through strong, dependable relationships, utilising our expertise for all your recruitment needs.

We are committed to providing the best recruitment and staffing solutions across various industries including disability employment services, NGOs and senior managerial positions.

iGoals9™ ‘JobSeeker’ is an online tool that elevates the importance of personal goal setting for individuals and teams. iGoals9™ transforms personal and business culture, and drives improved performance.

It is crucial for people to plan and self-manage. Individuals who do can evidence discipline, performance and personal efficiency.

Scitus Recruitment and iGoals9™ sit under the umbrella of the Inside Crew. Inside Crew provides ‘winning business solutions’ to various sectors within Australia.

Work Savvy TrainingStand 12Phone: 1300 764 828 · Website: www.worksavvytraining.com.au · Email: katryna@worksavvytraining.com.au

Work Savvy Training is a registered training organisation (RTO) that specialises in delivering training to the employment service sector. Work Savvy Training works with industry stakeholders to develop current and contract-relevant training programs that provide genuine professional development opportunities for employment services staff.

Work Savvy Training is a national provider and delivers traineeships and other funded programs in all states and territories. We offer industry-specific qualifications including the Certificate IV in Employment Services and a number of business qualifications that can be tailored to include disability and employment services electives. Our motto: inspire. learn. achieve.

AccessPayStand 13 Phone: 1300 133 697 · Website: www.accesspay.com.au · Email: tanyamckeough@accesspay.com.au

AccessPay provides reliable and flexible salary packaging services to not-for-profit, community and disability service organisations across Australia.

The benefits of salary packaging and the delivery of a responsive service option are important elements in an HR strategy designed to attract and retain the right staff. We underwrite our services with performance guarantees to ensure that we meet the expectations of our customers.

As part of our relationship-based approach, an AccessPay staff member will visit your workplace to assist you in implementing your salary packaging program. Contact Tanya McKeough on 1300 133 697 to talk about tailoring a solution for your organisation.

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bankmecuStand 14Phone: 03 9854 4860 · Website: www.bankmecu.com.au · Email: damian.richmond@bankmecu.com.au

bankmecu is a new kind of bank in Australia – a customer-owned bank. This means we put our customers first because they also own the bank.

At the heart of bankmecu is the belief that a clear connection exists between strong communities, a healthy environment and a more responsible approach to banking.

bankmecu is one of Australia’s strongest and most successful customer-owned banks. We attribute our success to putting our customers first and our responsible approach to banking that closely reflects our customer’s values.

Now that’s responsible banking.

For more information please visit bankmecu.com.au, call 132 888 or email damian.richmond@bankmecu.com.au

Job Centre AustraliaStand 15Phone: 02 4322 5511 · Website: www.jobcentreaustralia.com.au · Email: nikki.szabo@jobcentreaustralia.com.au

Job Centre Australia Ltd. has been providing employment and training services for people with disability since 1991 through DES and TTW Programs.

Job Centre Australia is working in conjunction with Life Business to deliver their successful Coaching Young People for Success Workshop. The program has been adopted by organisations in Australia, America, Canada, Europe and UK.

The Coaching Young People for Success Program, is a complete life, career, school performance and peer coaching system that schools and agencies working with youth can use to transform their approach to career guidance, case management and support.

SoNet SystemsStand 16Phone: 03 8533 7700 · Website: www.sonet.com.au · Email: jaimie@sonet.com.au

SoNET Systems is a Melbourne-based company specialising in tailored business solutions for the not-for-profit sector within Australia and around the world. Offerings range from iJob – a fully mobile, web-based solution that frees consultants to service your clients more effectively and efficiently – through to complete Cloud Computing services. Our fixed price (per user per month) fee structure gives you financial peace of mind and certainty! Integration with Government systems is provided (where available) and our fresh, fast, customisable solutions have a range of companion products covering activities including training, case management, assessment and service desks.

Exhibitors

Page 33

Connecting UpStand 17Phone: 1300 731 844 · Website: www.connectingup.org · Email: marketing@connectingup.org

Connecting Up, Inc. is a not-for-profit organisation that works to strengthen the not-for-profit and community sector by providing a variety of information, products, resources and programs.

Our most popular program is our technology donations program, formerly known as DonorTec, which provides not-for-profits with access to donated software from companies such as Microsoft, Cisco, Adobe, Symantec, SAP, Calxa and many more.

You can find out more and register for the program free at our website, www.connectingup.org.

Australian Council for Private Education and Training

Stand 18Phone: 03 94125907 · Website: www.acpet.edu.au · Email: elizabeth.clegg@acpet.edu.au

Established in 1992, the Australian Council for Private Education and Training (ACPET) is the national industry association for private providers of post-compulsory education and training.

ACPET has a strong commitment to supporting its member providers in working with students with disability, as part of its organisational mission to ensure that its policies, products and services contribute to an inclusive tertiary education system.

ACPET represents approximately 1,000 members who have approximately 1.4 million full-time equivalent students enrolled in over 2,000 courses. These members range in size and capacity from small niche education providers in regional and remote centres to large, multi-campus providers.

JN SolutionsStand 19Phone: 02 8090 9000 · Website: www.jnsolutions.com.au · Email: andrew.taylor@jnsolutions.com.au

JN Solutions develops software for Job Services Australia and Disability Employment Services. We are the developers behind the industry leading software called JSAdvantage, which is comprised of Bridge, Analytics and Starcast.

We supply, support and maintain the single most effective software solution for managing DEEWR’s contracts. JSAdvantage is a fully-integrated, end-to-end solution that removes the unnecessary IT and administrative hurdles of managing government contracts, allowing you to achieve better outcomes for your business and for jobseekers.

Our vision is simple: we supply easy-to-use systems that deal with the complexity of running government contracts, so you don’t have to. We also keep your costs down by hosting the system and maintaining all of the data through integrating with DEEWR’s infrastructure.

We do what we do best, so you can focus on what you do best.

Max Software SolutionsStand 20Phone: 1300 737 037 · Website: www.maxsoftware.com.au · Email: enquiries@maxsoftware.com.au

Max Software Solutions has been designing, developing and implementing custom-built software since 1996, specialising in database and caseload management software for the employment and training industry. The objective is to provide the very best applications, built under strict quality guidelines coupled with unequalled client service and support. Our dedication revolves around providing the finest software solution to our providers by supplying the following ready-built customisable applications:

• JDE-MAX for Employment Services (JSA and DES)

• FINMAX Financial Budgeting Tool

• GEMS for Group Training and RTO

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Exhibitors

Kinetic SuperStand 21Phone: 1300 304 000 · Website: www.kineticsuper.com.au · Email: info@kineticsuper.com.au

Kinetic Super is an industry fund with over 20 years experience in managing super savings for Australians. We’re modern and progressive, priding ourselves on our personalised service to members and employers.

As the leading industry fund for recruitment and employment services, we recognise the importance of assisting companies and individuals in managing and understanding their superannuation.

Benefits of Kinetic Super include:

• A $2.3 billion industry fund that operates purely for the benefit of over 350,000 members

• Low fees with competitive investment performance

• Online services – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

• Affordable, highly-competitive insurance options

To learn more about Kinetic Super visit kineticsuper.com.au

Disability Employment AustraliaStand 22Phone: 03 9012 6000 · Website: www.disabilityemployment.org.au · Email: info@disabilityemployment.org.au

Disability Employment Australia is the peak industry body for Australia’s Disability Employment Services (DES). We are recognised Australia-wide as the preeminent national organisation representing, supporting and resourcing the disability employment sector throughout Australia.

We exist to represent the interests of our members at a national level to government and other stakeholders. We support our members to achieve best practice service provision in their role to find employment outcomes for people with disability.

We advise, advocate, train, inform, and undertake events to promote the sector.

Come and see us to:

• Get membership information

• Sign up for our member-only bulletins

• Find out more about our latest capability development offerings

• Have a chat.

The Royal Society for the BlindStand 23Phone: 08 8417 5599 · Website: www.rsb.org.au · Email: employmentservices@rsb.org.au

RSB Employment Services assists people who are blind or vision impaired to obtain/retain long-term, meaningful employment.

The service also assists people who are currently employed and at risk of becoming unemployed due to their vision loss. The Job in Jeopardy program provides a range of support to people affected by vision loss in the workplace and their employers

Workplaces considering recruiting a person who is blind or vision impaired will be provided with expert advice and support.

RSB Employment Services holds contracts with Disability Employment Services. Job seekers can register directly with RSB Employment Services without needing a Centrelink referral.

For students who have vision impairment, RSB Employment Services staff can assist with the transition from school to work.

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Exhibition Floorplan

BALLROOM A BALLROOM B BALLROOM C

LUNCHCATERING*Suite 2 & 3

LUNCHCATERING*

Balcony 3 & 4

LU

NC

H C

AT

ER

ING

Main Stair Access

INTERNETCAFE

FO

YE

R B

AR

Boardroom

Suite 1

Hotel BusinessCentre

Lifts

RE

GIS

TR

AT

ION

Coffee Cart

Morning/Afternoon Tea Catering

* Please note that lunch catering is also available on the ground floor in the Brasserie Restaurant & the Victoria Room.

PLENARY & BREAKOUT ROOMS

23

21

22

BREAKOUT ROOM

Balcony 1 & 2

1 Diverse Learning®

2 Community Careers

3 Leading Directions

4 Ascent Training Group

5&6 Leap Training

7 Shine Recruitment

8 BSI Group Australia and New Zealand

9 JobReady.Live

10 Everyday Girl Friday

11 Inside Crew

12 Work Savvy Training

13 AccessPay

14 bankmecu

15 Job Centre Australia

16 SoNet Systems

17 Connecting Up

18 ACPET

19 JN Solutions

20 Max Software Solutions

21 Kinetic Super

22 Disability Employment Australia

23 The Royal Society for the Blind

Page 36

Workshop & Panel Presenters

Disability Employment Australia: Representing Australia’s Disability Employment Services

Phone: +61 3 9012 6000 | Email: info@disabilityemployment.org.au disabilityemployment.org.au | Twitter @disabilityemplt