Assessments are undertaken in a wide variety of settings and are primarily used to identify limitations or restrictions as well as determine and recommend the most appropriate interventions, treatment, equipment or tools for one person or a group of people. In the workplace, these assessments are generally conducted by a person with an allied health or occupational health and safety background. General assessments can cover a range of areas including, physical and cognitive and may also cover sensory such as vision, speech and hearing assessments. These assessments usually entail both subjective and objective measures.
Workplace solutions and adjustments
A person with a disability can be disadvantaged in the workplace if the work tasks are unsuitable or appropriate support and equipment is not provided to enable that person to complete their job role effectively. Assessments are completed to assist those who may be disadvantaged in this way, so as to determine their personal needs and allow them the opportunity to contribute to the workforce meaningfully and productively.
More specifically, using an assessor to determine the most suitable employment position, work hours and equipment required for an employee with a disability is useful for the employer when offering a position, delegating tasks and understanding the employees’ productive capacity. Assessment results can provide the employer and co-workers with a greater understanding about the person’s strengths, limitations and barriers to their employment, as well as the most effective strategies to overcome these in the workplace. An example may be modifying a workstation to meet the needs of an employee such as someone using a wheelchair or an amputee who would need a workbench height adjusted.
The workplace assessors listed in the Workplace Adjustment Tool are part of a panel of assessors formed by the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations as part of the Employment Assistance Fund. The Employment Assistance Fund provides financial assistance towards the costs involved in modifying the workplace or purchasing special or adaptive equipment for eligible employees with disability. For more information about workplace assessments under the Employment Assistance Fund, call the JobAccess Advisers on 1800 464 800 or click on the following link:
For more information on assessments in the workplace, please see the links below:
References:
CRS Australia (no date specified), List of our services, CRS Australia, Canberra, viewed 9 December 2011, http://www.crsaustralia.gov.au/list_of_our_services.htm.