New resources to assist NDIS participants into work

Minister for Families and Social Services, Paul Fletcher, has released a new resource to encourage National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) participants to prepare for a conversation about their interest in work.

 

Developed by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA), the ‘Let’s talk about work’ booklet has been prepared in consultation with participants, their families and employers and is designed to be used during the NDIS planning process.

 

“‘Let’s talk about work’ helps participants to think about their strengths and any existing barriers in looking for work, and encourages them to set employment goals in their NDIS plans,” Mr Fletcher said.

 

“It is the latest initiative of the NDIS Participant Employment Taskforce, which is changing the way participants can access employment support funding in their NDIS plans.

 

“Today’s national webinar, also called ‘Let’s talk about work’, gave participants the opportunity to understand the types of supports the NDIS can provide to assist them towards employment.”

 

The Australian Government is working hard to provide employers with supports and information to assist and raise awareness about employing people with disability.

 

Assistant Minister for Social Services, Housing and Disability Services, Sarah Henderson, opened the first Shifting the Dial on Employment forum earlier this month. 

 

“We received a number of key insights from stakeholders on making it easier for employers to employ people with disability,” Ms Henderson said.

 

“The focus was on the importance of understanding what is already working, what employers want, supporting collaboration between employers and schools and improving coordination between services.

 

“Stakeholders also highlighted the importance of early intervention to help people with disability into employment, including building aspirations for careers at school and ensuring work experience is effective and available for all school children with disability.”

 

The NDIS Participant Employment Taskforce has also endorsed the first of several planned improvements to information for employers on the JobAccess website, with publication of new case studies to showcase innovative employment models and practices for people with disability.

 

“Research shows that many employers lack the confidence to employ people with disability, and are unaware of the support and programs available to help them,” Ms Henderson said.

“Case studies like these, as well as the large range of supports and resources for employers on the JobAccess website, are vital to increasing employer confidence.” 

The booklet, webinar information and forum summary can be found here. You can visit JobAccess to view the new case studies and other supports and resources for employers.