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- In the face of widespread discrimination and extreme physical challenges, Jude Lee has always seen life’s possibilities. He has been able to sustain a successful legal career, thanks to support from JobAccess., Jude Lee – once a litigation lawyer in the big end of town pursuing the likes of giant corporate raiders and defending large multinationals– has always had a vision of what was possible for him. Diagnosed with degenerative spinal muscular atrophy at the age of six, he has never really been able to walk or lift his hands over his head. As his muscles weakened, the crutches gave way to a permanent…, Determined to shine, Despite happily attending mainstream primary and secondary schools in Melbourne’s Eastern suburbs, someone suggested that because of his disability he should be educated alongside others with disability. He was enrolled in a disability facility in a completely non-academic program. “They were the worst two years of my life,” says Jude, who runs his own legal practice in Darwin, reputedly one of…, Not everyone could see his abilities, But it hasn’t been easy for Jude, who has a double degree in Science and Law and was once the Regional Director for the Australian Government Solicitors. He has faced widespread discrimination. “It’s pretty much at all levels – from the person in the street to corporate situations where people undermine you. Unfortunately, people judge you,” said Jude, who left his highflying corporate lawyers’…, Workplace modifications have saved his career, Jude first reached out to JobAccess – the Australian Government’s hub for disability employment information – in 2007 for support with funding workplace adjustments. Since then, JobAccess has supported him with a wide range of adjustments , including ensuring his office has automatic doors to accommodate his wheelchair, and significant ongoing modifications to his car. “I am probably the weakest…, Like to learn more?, There is a wide range of support available from JobAccess for people with disability, employers, and service providers. JobAccess has managed over 58,000 applications for funding workplace adjustments since 2006. Each one makes a difference by helping people with disability get work, keep work, and progress their careers. Contact JobAccess on, 1800 464 800, to speak to our friendly and resourceful Advisers about workplace adjustments and the Employment Assistance Fund . You can also Online Enquiry Form submit an online enquiry through the JobAccess website.Type: Stories
- Once you’ve had a person with disability apply for a job, what comes next? Just like with anyone else, it’s time for an interview. Sometimes, people with disability will need adjustments during the interview process. Gary Butcher, Manager of Business Solutions at Dexar Group, knows this well. “When we decided to hire a person with Down syndrome, making sure the interview process was as accessible…Type: Stories
- An employee doesn’t need to tell you about their disability unless it affects their work or safety. If they do tell you, you need to make sure you respect their privacy and treat them fairly., When an employee has to tell you about their disability, An employee has to tell their employer about their disability if: the disability affects their ability to do their job or a specific task that’s part of their job the disability affects their ability to work safely and make sure others are safe. Outside of these reasons, an employee doesn’t have to tell an employer about their disability. If an employee tells you about their disability, you…, Understanding the right to privacy, Information about a person’s disability can include sensitive personal details. If an employee tells you about their disability, you must keep it private. You need to respect their right to privacy. If you want to share information about an employee’s disability, you must get their written consent. Keeping the employee’s information private will help them to feel safe. It will make them more…, Privacy Act 1988, protects all employees’ rights to privacy. You can find more details about the Privacy Act at the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner website. For more support, the Australian Network on Disability has a guide for employers called Sharing and Monitoring Disability Information in your Workforce ., Avoiding discrimination, If an employee tells you about their disability, consider any training or work-related adjustments you might need to make to support them. To make sure you’re treating them fairly you must follow the, Disability Discrimination Act 1992, . Under this law: don’t treat a person with disability differently than you would treat a person without disability in the same situation you must protect employees with disability from harassment in the workplace. Find out more about guidelines on workplace discrimination .Type: Articles
- The Australian Government sets the service standards for disability service providers. The National Standards for Disability Services (National Standards) help promote and drive a nationally consistent approach to improving the quality of services. They focus on rights and outcomes for people with disability. There are 6 standards for disability services – these outline what the government…Type: Articles
- A range of peak bodies and associations support disability organisations and people around Australia. If you have an area of interest or want information to support disability employment, you can contact any of these groups., Specific disabilities and conditions, A4 – Autism Aspergers Advocacy Australia, A4 is a national grassroots organisation. It advocates for people with autism and Autism Spectrum Disorder. A4 focuses on system-wide issues, such as policy changes and promoting awareness., Website:, a4.org.au, Email:, convenor@a4.org.au, Blind Citizens Australia, Blind Citizens Australia provides information, peer support, advocacy and consultancy services for the blind and vision impaired., Website:, www.bca.org.au, Phone:, 1800 033 660, Email:, bca@bca.org.au, Brain Injury Australia, Injury Australia supports Australians living with brain injury to take part in society, work and education. It does this by providing information, advocacy and raising awareness., Website:, www.braininjuryaustralia.org.au, Phone:, 1800 272 461, Email:, admin@braininjuryaustralia.org.au, Deaf Australia, Deaf Australia is the national peak advocacy and information organisation for people who are deaf, hard of hearing and others who use Auslan. It focuses on developing access to information and accessible communication., Website:, www.deafaustralia.org.au, Email:, info@deafaustralia.org.au, Deafblind Australia, Deafblind Australia provides information and advocates to improve services and supports for deafblind people, their families and networks., Website:, www.deafblind.org.au, Phone:, 0427 006 890, Email:, info@deafblind.org.au, Deafness Forum of Australia, Deafness Forum of Australia support all Australians who are deaf or hard of hearing to live well in the community by making hearing health and wellbeing a national priority., Website:, www.deafnessforum.org.au, Down Syndrome Australia, Down Syndrome Australia is the peak body for people with Down syndrome in Australia. It provides support, information and resources., Website:, www.downsyndrome.org.au, Phone:, 1300 881 935, Email:, info@downsyndrome.org.au, Mental Health Australia, Mental Health Australia is the peak non-government organisation representing the Australian mental health sector., Website:, www.mhaustralia.org, Phone:, 02 6285 3100, Email:, info@mhaustralia.org, Physical Disability Australia, Physical Disability Australia is a national peak Disability Peoples Organisation run by and for people with physical disability., Website:, www.pda.org.au, Phone:, 1800 732 674, Email:, manager@pda.org.au, Specific groups, communities, Children and Young People with Disability Australia, Children and Young People with Disability Australia is the national peak body representing people with disability aged up to 25., Website:, www.cyda.org.au, Phone:, 03 9417 1025, Email:, info@cyda.org.au, First Peoples Disability Network Australia, First Peoples Disability Network Australia advocates for the interests of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with disability, their families and communities., Website:, www.fpdn.org.au, Phone:, 02 9267 4195, Email:, enquiries@fpdn.org.au, National Ethnic Disability Alliance, National Ethnic Disability Alliance is the national peak body for people with disability who are from diverse cultural and language backgrounds, as well as their families and carers., Website:, www.neda.org.au, Phone:, 0402 610 399, Email:, comms@neda.org.au, Women with Disabilities Australia, Women with Disabilities Australia is the peak organisation for women with all types of disabilities in Australia., Website:, www.wwda.org.au, Phone:, 0438 535 123, :, officeadmin@wwda.org.au, Employment related, Disability Employment Australia, Disability Employment Australia is the peak industry body for Australian Government providers of Disability Employment Services., Website:, www.disabilityemployment.org.au, Phone:, 03 9012 6000, Email:, info@disabilityemployment.org.au, Jobs Australia, Jobs Australia is the national peak body for non-profit organisations that help people into work., Website:, www.ja.com.au, Phone:, 1800 331 915, National Employment Services Association, The National Employment Services Association is Australia's peak body for employment services, representing a range of organisations that provide services for disadvantaged participants., Website:, nesa.com.au, Phone:, 03 9624 2300, Email:, nesa@nesa.com.au, General disability organisations, Australian Federation of Disability Organisations, The Australian Federation of Disability Organisations is the peak organisation in the disability sector. It represents people with lived experience of disability., Website:, www.afdo.org.au, Phone:, 1800 219 969, Email:, office@afdo.org.au, Australian Disability Network, The Australian Disability Network is a not-for-profit organisation. It supports people with disability being included in all aspects of business., Website:, australiandisabilitynetwork.org.au, Phone:, 02 8270 9200, Email:, info@and.org.au, Disability Advocacy Network Australia, Disability Advocacy Network Australia represents a network of independent disability advocacy organisations. Its purpose is to support and strengthen these organisations., Website:, www.dana.org.au, Phone:, 1300 186 453, Email:, info@dana.org.au, Disabled People's Organisations Australia, Disabled People’s Organisations Australia promotes and advances the human rights and freedoms of all people with disability. It is an alliance of 4 national Disabled Peoples Organisations in Australia., Website:, dpoa.org.au, Email:, director@dpoa.org.au, Inclusion Australia, Inclusion Australia is the leading national voice for people with intellectual disability and their families., Website:, www.inclusionaustralia.org.au, Phone:, 1300 312 343, Email:, admin@inclusionaustralia.org.au, National Disability Services, National Disability Services is Australia's peak body for non-government disability service organisations., Website:, www.nds.org.au, Phone:, 02 6283 3200, People with Disability Australia, People with Disability Australia is a national disability rights and advocacy organisation., Website:, www.pwd.org.au, Phone:, 1800 422 015, Email:, pwd@pwd.org.auType: Articles
- Type: Articles
- Type: Articles
- In the workplace there are laws to protect you. Learn about your privacy rights, health and safety, and what to do if you’re discriminated against at work.Type: Articles
- When providing services to people with disability, you must follow all legislation, regulations, by-laws and requirements that apply where you operate. This includes Commonwealth, state, territory and local laws. Find out more about the main laws that apply to service providers., Anti-discrimination law, Service providers must give people with disability support and help that: doesn’t discriminate complies with the Commonwealth Disability Discrimination Act 1992. The Disability Discrimination Act defines ‘disability’ as: total or partial loss of a person’s bodily or mental functions total or partial loss of a part of the body the presence in the body of organisms causing disease or illness the…, Privacy law, The Commonwealth, Privacy Act 1988, protects all employees’ rights to privacy. For more information on privacy law, visit the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner website . If an employee discloses a disability, you are required to keep all information about the disability confidential. In order to share information about an employee’s disability with others in your organisation, you must get consent from the employee., Duty of care, Providers of services to people with disability have a duty of care to people with disability. They need to act with care, attention and caution. For example, when advising people with disability and employers, you must make sure that the person has understood the information. This includes considering personal barriers the person might face, such as with language and literacy.Type: Articles