The promise of technology
"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail" Ralph
Waldo Emerson.
I love this quote! It’s so apt given that International Day of People with Disability is fast
approaching. On 3 December each year, we are reminded of how far we have to go in terms of
ensuring full participation in all aspects of civic life for people with disability – including
employment. We are also re-energised to focus our efforts on the removal of the many and varied
barriers that people with disability still face in this country.
Technology plays an increasingly critical role in this space, so it’s timely that the United Nation’s
theme has focused on this. Rapidly developing technology has changed the way people with
disability access entertainment, work, communication and basic information seeking. The UN's
focus is on technology as a way to break down barriers for people with disability and how devices
are becoming faster, cheaper and more accessible.
Consider the many accessibility features now included as standard features of most mobile and
smart phones – voice recognition, hands free operation, face time, texting. As a Deaf colleague
once mentioned to me ‘Twitter is now my radio’...truly wonderful stuff.
Linked to how far we have to go to have truly inclusive workplaces, our experience shows that
whilst many employers understand that welcoming people with disability into the workforce
makes good business sense, sometimes turning goodwill into action presents a challenge.
Why aren’t diversity employees thriving?
This was the topic of an interesting article posted on the Australian Human Resources Institute
(AHRI) website recently. It clearly highlights that there is a distinction between workplace diversity
and workplace inclusion.
“Organisations strong on inclusion have a culture in which a diverse workforce can flourish.
Without this culture, diversity is a half-baked ethos that breeds no more than tolerance. And if
you have ever been merely tolerated, as opposed to genuinely accepted and included, you will
know that it doesn’t enable anyone to work at their best.”
Click here to read the full article.
With advances in technology, increased understanding and of course, the support of the NDRC –
the sky is the limit when it comes to increasing employment opportunities for people with
disability.
I do hope you take some time out to mark International day of People with Disability and if you do
– enjoy!
Kind regards, Lucy Macali, General Manager, NDRC
Latest news - Personal bionics
Hugh Herr: The new bionics that let us run, climb and dance
“Technology had eliminated my disability”
Hugh Herr lost both legs in a climbing accident 30 years ago. As the head of the MIT Media
Lab’s Biomechatronics group, Herr builds prosthetic knees, legs and ankles that fuse
biomechanics with microprocessors to restore, or perhaps enhance, gait, balance, speed.
In his recent TED talk, Herr demonstrates the incredible technology that has helped improve
the quality of life for thousands of people with physical challenges, including his own and
that of ballroom dancer Adrianne Haslet-Davis, who lost her left leg in the 2013 Boston
Marathon bombing.
To view the TED talk in full click here.
Hats off to the Smart Pen
They say it’s the little things in life that can make a big difference. This is certainly true with
a recent case managed by JobAccess.
A JobAccess consultant received a call from Martha, a milliner who was seeking advice on
how to best manage work with the onset of Multiple Sclerosis (MS).
MS is a disease of the central nervous system, interfering with nerve impulses within the
brain, spinal cord and optic nerves. Martha found taking orders for hats and fascinators was
causing strain and she was experiencing bouts of neuromuscular fatigue with handwriting as
well as cognitive memory difficulties. Her ability to manage the simple task of taking orders,
if left unattended, would in time become a big issue for her business.
A qualified JobAccess assessor conducted an assessment of the work set up and observed
how Martha was coping with her day to day tasks. Once the workplace barriers were
identified, JobAccess and the assessor made their recommendations.
The solution for Martha came in the shape of a pen – a Smart Pen to be precise. This
innovative pen allowed her to manage her administration without causing physical strain.
The compact pen records everything that Martha hears or writes; recordings can then be
downloaded to computer and transcribed into her order book. Martha can tap into the
information as required and keep on top of her orders more easily.
The Smart Pen was designed as a note-taker to help university students. With some smart
thinking JobAccess has applied this innovative technology to become a valuable tool for a
person with disability.
JobAccess provides thousands of individuals with disability and their employers help and
advice about how to best manage workplace modifications. It may be a piece of technology,
it may be training, or it may be as simple as an adjustable desk.
For this milliner it’s a very clever state-of-the-art pen that can help her manage the task of
taking orders allowing her time to focus on the creative side of the business.
If you would like more information on the UN award-winning JobAccess service please call
1800 464 800 or visit website.
Employer in the spotlight -City of Wodonga
City of Wodonga is committed to supporting the growth of a community that builds on the
strength of its people, values diversity and tolerance, provides opportunities for all, and
recognises the fundamental right of all citizens to fully participate socially, culturally,
economically, physically and politically in the community.
To support this commitment, City of Wodonga partnered with the NDRC to ensure it has
access to the broader talent pool during the recruitment process and the skills and
knowledge to welcome applications from people with disability and support them in the
workplace.
The NDRC recently delivered disability awareness training to Council's recruitment advisors,
senior managers and team leaders. Feedback was positive and left participants feeling more
confident to recruit people with disability. The training “dispelled some common myths and
broadened my definition of disability and made me more aware of my judgements and
biases” said one participant.
Small improvements make big differences and with continued support from the NDRC, City
of Wodonga is well placed to succeed.
Hints from JobAccess - Making adjustments is easy
THE WORKPLACE ADJUSTMENT TOOL
JobAccess is an Australian Government initiative providing a free information and advice
service, offering practical workplace solutions for people with disability and their employers
- a one-stop-shop for disability employment advice and support.
Included as part of the JobAccess website is the Workplace Adjustment Tool. This Tool can
assist with removing some of the barriers faced by people with disability in the workplace.
It’s a database of ideas on how to adjust or modify the workplace to accommodate needs of
individuals with disability, including information on reasonable adjustments, products and
technology available, as well as links to local suppliers.
The step by step instructions are user-friendly and all pages print like a fact sheet for ease of
sharing with others.
For more information call JobAccess on 1800 464 800 or visit website.
Getting to Yes in 2015
DATES CONFIRMED
Following on from our last successful event in Perth, we are pleased to announce the dates
for the next round of Getting to Yes seminars for employers.
Please mark the dates in your calendar and make sure any colleagues in Sydney or Brisbane
are on the mailing list.

Sydney Tuesday 17 March 2015

Brisbane Wednesday 13 May 2015
Email us with your colleagues details to ensure they receive an invitation.